If you are interested in setting up temperature control for your home, then you will need to decide exactly what kind of system you want. An increasingly popular option for heating your home is the space heater. However, there are several different varieties of space heaters, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. To help you narrow down your options, here is an introduction to the various mechanisms available for heating your home.

Space Heaters

The smallest scale heaters are known as space heaters, which are ideal for raising the temperature in a small area, such as a single room. Space heaters come in several sizes and varieties, but they are all portable units which forego the complex installation of traditional heaters.

• Fan-Forced: these models resemble small fans. They generate heat and then rely on a fan to propel the hot air outwards. They come in both stationary and oscillating varieties, but must be positioned so that they face the target to be heated. The main drawback of these units is that they distribute heat in a directional pattern, which means that they are less effective at heating entire rooms. However, they excel at heating a single, small area, such as an individual sitting on a couch.
• Ceramic: a specific subcategory of fan-forced heaters, ceramic heaters run an electric current through a ceramic plate. This heats up the ceramic plate, which is transferred to an aluminum heating element. A fan then blows across the aluminum, which transfers the heat to the target.
• Infrared: unlike space heaters which use fans, infrared heaters make use of radiation to heat the surrounding environment. They are significantly quieter than fans, cheaper to run, and faster at heating rooms. Because they do not rely on convection, infrared heaters do not need to heat the air prior to heating the room. However, infrared fans space heaters be very hot to the touch, which makes them less than ideal around children and animals.
• Radiant Oil: these unique units are filled with oil, which is heated via an electrical current in a heating element. Since oil is capable of absorbing a great amount of heat, the oil is capable of reaching very high temperatures. As the oil becomes hotter, that heat is transferred through the reservoir walls, at which point it is distributed outward. The main drawback of radiant oil heaters is that they can spill oil when damaged.

For more information about the different heating options available to you, contact a heating expert like Wightman Mechanical.