The definition of "ceramic heater" - sellers of heating technology apply to different classes of devices, differing in the principles of operation and design. Combines the devices used in the manufacture of fired clay. The rock is mixed with mineral fillers to give the desired properties. To choose the right electrical appliance for your home, you need to study the device, purpose and characteristics.
Varieties and device of ceramic heaters
The main types of heaters operate on two types of energy: electricity and gas (natural or liquefied).
Gas models
The design of the apparatus includes ceramic gas burners, gas supply pipes and automation devices. The combustion of fuel inside the device takes place without a flame.
A ceramic burner, when heated, emits thermal infrared waves into space. The floors, walls and furniture in the room are heated. The temperature of the air gradually rises from heated objects.
Gas units are simple in design, but require strict adherence to safety precautions. Regular preventive inspections and maintenance are only allowed to be performed by certified organizations. Because of this, gas appliances were not widely used in residential buildings.
At the same time, the devices are excellent for heating the working area in open areas - it is not the air that heats up, but the human body. This contributes to a comfortable stay on the street.
Electrical devices
Electric ceramic heaters are safe when installed correctly in residential environments and are therefore widespread.
The devices belong to direct heating devices - the energy of the electric current is converted directly into heat without the use of an intermediate heat carrier.
Infrared radiation, convection, or a combination of these phenomena are used to spread heat.
Depending on the design, heaters are divided into ceramic radiators, ceramic infrared heaters and fan heaters. Each device is best suited to meet its specific needs.
Convection appliances
Structurally, ceramic heating panels consist of a nichrome spiral mounted in a protective panel made of a mixture of clay with various mineral additives.
The flowing current causes the coil to heat up, which gives off heat to the ceramic body.
The temperature of the outer surface at maximum power reaches 90 ° C, which causes the effect of convection. Cold air, warming up, rises, cooled air sinks to the floor. Further, the process takes place continuously. This principle is fundamental in the operation of heating panels.
At the same time, a small part of the thermal energy is radiated into space in the form of infrared waves.
Advantages and disadvantages of panels
Each household appliance, due to its design features, has positive and negative qualities.
Advantages of ceramic panels:
- ease of installation and maintenance;
- long service time (up to 25 years);
- relatively low price;
- do not burn oxygen;
- heating regulation;
- attractive design;
- noiseless operation;
- The efficiency of converting electrical energy into heat is up to 98%.
At the same time, ceramic radiators also have disadvantages:
- dry the air, but this property is inherent in all heating devices;
- large mass and stationary installation - the device is not easy to transfer to another room;
- Installation in damp locations or outdoors may result in electric shock.
They constructively produce wall and floor ceramic heaters.
Not all manufacturers have brackets for mounting on a vertical surface included in the kit, you need to purchase additional parts for a fee.
At the same time, the advantages and disadvantages include thermal inertia - massive panels warm up for a long time, but also cool down for a long time after turning off. The property makes it difficult to use panels for heating summer cottages visited on weekends - it can take up to an hour to fully warm up the case.
Preferred Installation Locations
Heating panels are used as primary or secondary heating. The second option is suitable for heating rooms at night or on cold days.
If it is planned to install the main heating based on convectors, take into account that, on average, 100 watts of device power will be required to heat 1 m2 of area.
Most panel radiators are designed for power from 200 to 400 W - this is enough for an area of 5 - 6 m2 with a ceiling height of 2.6 m.
An accurate heat engineering calculation is possible only by qualified specialists, taking into account the climatic conditions at the place of residence, the type of building materials, the quality of floor, wall and roof insulation, the number of windows and the glazing area.
Market leaders
Tepladar - the plant of the Russian manufacturer is located in Ulyanovsk. The basic model with a power of 400 W is designed for heating rooms up to 6 m2 or up to 17 m3 in volume. The device weighs 10 kg. Dimensions: 68x35x3 cm.
Tepladar is mounted on a vertical or installed on a horizontal surface.
When buying in online stores, you can buy a product for a promotion. As gifts, they offer brackets for mounting on the wall, a thermostat, a reflective screen and sidewalls that enhance convection.
Nikaten Is a Krasnodar brand of heating equipment. The range of convectors includes devices with a power from 0.2 to 0.65 W / h. The front panel is painted in one tone or wood imitation.
Depending on the power consumption, the height varies from 30 to 60 cm, the width is 60 - 120 cm. The maximum thickness is 4 cm.
Luxor Is an Italian manufacturer of luxury appliances. The power of the devices is fixed - 0.35 or 0.7 kW. To save energy, all models have built-in thermostats that react to the air temperature at the installation site. The line includes designer porcelain stoneware heaters, the color and texture of which can be selected for any interior.
Infrared emitters
The device is based on the principle of operation, which consists in the radiation of infrared waves. Reaching the surface of walls, floors, objects, their radiation heats up.
Preferred use
Infrared ceramic heaters are poorly suited for use as the main heating. This is caused by a number of properties:
- heating takes place in a limited area where the emitter is directed;
- a long exit to a given temperature regime of the air, since objects are heated first;
- fading of colors of finishing materials under the influence of infrared waves.
Do not point the ceramic infrared heater at flammable objects or containers with flammable substances.The "ray" of heat leaves traces on paintings, photographs, wallpapers.
Structurally, the devices are ceramic tubes, inside which there is a spiral heated by electric current.
New devices are made according to a different scheme. The spiral is "filled" with ceramics. The shape can be flat or concave. Some models are adapted to be screwed into a socket instead of an electric lamp.
It is important to take into account the power of the device if a switch is used to interrupt the circuit - the consumed current should not exceed the established limit.
Ceramic infrared heater has a number of positive properties:
- radiation begins immediately after the current is applied, and reaching the maximum mode takes several minutes, which is convenient when visiting an unheated summer cottage;
- suitable for heating workplaces in open areas;
- used for heating seedlings and chicks of poultry;
- the power of devices can reach 1000 watts.
In domestic conditions, ceiling infrared devices made of glass ceramics have become widespread. They are installed in hallways, vestibules, saunas, utility rooms, workshops and garages. Ceiling mounting saves space in small spaces. It is impossible to accidentally touch the device, get burned or get an electric shock if the wiring is damaged.
The devices are manufactured by Icoline, Timberk, Pion, Almak.
Ceramic fan heaters
Fan heaters consist of a heating element, fan, housing and controls.
New models of fan heaters have a ceramic heating element in their design, rather than an open spiral.
Positive qualities of devices:
- quick exit to heating mode;
- do not burn oxygen like open coil models;
- there is no burning smell from burnt dust;
- wide range of power adjustments;
- high performance of fans.
There are two options for the impeller location - tangential and axial.
In the first case, fan heaters have an elongated case, which is better placed on a wall or ceiling.
Negative properties are associated with the noisy operation of axial fans. In addition, inexpensive models are equipped with sleeve bearings, the bronze bushings of which wear out quickly. Additional vibrations appear, which further amplifies the emitted noise.
Air currents draw dust into the hull - in utility rooms, sheds, poultry houses, frequent cleaning of the inside of the hull will be required. Based on this, devices with fans are turned on for a short time to quickly warm up.
Fan heaters are not used as the main element of the heating system, since they cannot withstand continuous operation.
Popular manufacturers: Delta, Polaris.
Not all fan heaters are equipped with ceramic elements - some of the products work with open spirals. The complete set should be specified upon purchase.
Selection guide
The data collected in the table will help you choose the right ceramic heater.
| Convection panel | IR heater | Fan heater | |
| Primary heating | + | — | — |
| Auxiliary heating | + | + | + |
| Installation locations | Living rooms, outbuildings | Utility rooms | Utility rooms |
| Time of initial heating of the room | long | long | fast |
| Inertia of the device | high | low | low |
| Heating of workplaces in the open air | not | Yes | not |
| Power range, kW | 0,2 – 1,0 | 0,5 – 2,5 | 0,5 – 2,0 |
Ceramic heaters, with the right choice, allow you to equip the main or auxiliary heating of residential, utility rooms and outbuildings. A good result can be achieved by a correct assessment of the operating conditions and tasks solved by electrical appliances.
