Heaters and radiators are a family of essential heating components designed to deliver instant heating or cooling applications in various commercial and domestic environments. These devices provide warmth during cold months and are suitable for almost any environment that converts energy into heat–heating the surrounding environment. Depending on the applications and settings, heaters and radiators are available in various mounting styles, sizes, shapes, and types suited for heating or cooling purposes. They utilise different mechanisms and energy sources for heat generation and distribution. These devices are indispensable for environments requiring comfort and warmth regardless of external temperatures.
Special Features and Benefits of Heaters and Radiators
Heaters and radiators include excellent features, providing unmatchable benefits, such as:
- Highly energy efficient and cost-effective, minimising electricity bills.
- Easy and safe to use.
- Glossy and latest designs.
- Latest models with app- or voice-controlled and locking features.
- Ideal for almost all environments.
- Quiet operation with overheating protection.
- Design flexibility allows freestanding or wall-mounting options.
- Scheduling features for the manual time set.
Heaters and Radiators: The Difference
Radiators and heaters are often used interchangeably and still need clarification. They perform similar functions (heating the surroundings); however, they differ from each other in terms of designs, operations, and efficiency. A heater works on various mechanisms to produce heat, including convection, radiation, and conduction. In contrast, radiators primarily use radiation to transfer heat and are a part of central heating systems. Furthermore, a heater can be electric, gas-powered, or other options, distinguishing it from a radiator that uses oil or other fluid for heat distribution. Additionally, they also differ in terms of efficiency as heaters can produce more heat quickly than radiators–providing slower but consistent heat.
Popular Types of Heaters and Radiators
There are several popular types of heaters and radiators, including:
- Convector Radiators – These have fins at the back that aid in circulating warm air throughout the room. They are common in most households.
- Column Radiators – They feature a traditional design with several columns. They're not just functional but can also serve as decorative pieces.
- Panel Radiators – These are flat, slim, and simple radiators suitable for modern interiors.
- Oil-filled Radiators – An oil-filled radiator uses electricity to heat oil, circulating through the fins and warming the surrounding air.
- Electric Heaters – They use electricity and produce heat when electric current flows through a resistive element–heating and releasing warmth into the surrounding space.
- Convection Heaters – A convector heater is a widely used heater where warm air rises from the heater, and cold air is pulled in, creating a cycle of warm air throughout the room.
- Space Heaters – These are portable heaters that are used to heat small spaces or rooms. They can be electric or gas-powered.
- Fan Heaters (or Forced Air Heaters) – A fan heater uses a fan to blow air over a heat source, distributing warm air quickly over a space. The integrated fans distribute uniform heat throughout the space and are more economical than other space heater types.
- Infrared Heaters – These heaters use electromagnetic radiation in the infrared range to heat objects directly. Instead of heating the air, infrared heaters transfer their energy directly to objects and people within their line of sight.
- Ceramic Heaters – These contain ceramic plates and aluminium baffles. When electricity passes through the ceramic, it heats up and transfers the heat to the aluminium, emitting warmth.
- Gas Heaters – Use gas to produce heat, providing optimum temperature for surroundings. They come as mobile gas heaters that require more ventilation as they can produce indoor pollutants.
- Storage Heaters – Often electric, these heaters store thermal energy at night and release the heat during the day.
Typical Applications of Heaters and Radiators
Depending on the appliance types and applications, heaters and radiators find versatile applications in a range of environments, including:
- Domestic purposes
- Commercial applications
- Food industries
- Pharmaceutical industries
- Textile machinery
- Industrial processing.
