Space Heaters
Space heaters are used to keep the air at a comfortable temperature for people in a variety of environments. They can also be used, for instance, in homes, factories, workshops, sheds and greenhouses. They are designed to heat a small space, whereas central heating is designed to heat many connected spaces.
Space Heaters
Paraffin heaters are traditionally used as space heaters and produce heat using kerosene or paraffin oil, and come in unvented and vented forms. Vented paraffin heaters are safer, as there is a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from the combustible gases produced when burning paraffin. Laser heaters, a form of paraffin heater, are generally safer than traditional paraffin heaters.
Space heaters can also be used in a horticultural environment, in greenhouses. The usage of space heaters in greenhouses allows for a controlled temperature to be kept, which protects the plants against sudden cold snaps. Space heaters in a greenhouse usually have a thermostat to set the correct temperature.
Portable Space Heaters
Other types of portable space heaters include electric, ceramic, propane and infrared space heaters. While there are heaters specifically designed to emit infrared heat, both electric and ceramic space heaters can also produce heat by radiation rather than by convection.
Most portable space heaters use convective currents to warm a room. Convective currents are created by the portable space heater increasing the temperature of the air in proximity to the heater. The hot air then rises, and cold air is drawn into the space left behind by the hot air. This cold air then warms, rises and more cold air moves next to the heater. A natural current develops, with the original hot air cooling and eventually falling back down to the heater.
Portable space heaters can be used in a variety of environments. They can be used in agriculture, for crop drying, to control condensation and in workshops. They are also used in industry, to warm factories. Space heaters are also popular in residential settings, and can also be used to heat marquees and tents.
Infrared Heaters
Infrared heaters emit long wave infrared radiation. The radiation strikes an object, and the energy is converted into heat. The air is not heated, as infrared rays are not absorbed by air, so only objects or individuals are heated.
The advantages of infrared and convection space heaters differ depending upon their use. Convection heaters are better for heating whole rooms for a long period of time. Infrared heaters can be used to heat a person or an object, so are better if someone is going to stay in a room for only a few hours. The whole room will not heat up, but the individual will if the heater is directed towards them.
Ceramic Space Heaters
Electric and ceramic space heaters are generally safer than paraffin and laser heaters. They do not produce any combustible gases, so there is no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. There is also a lower risk of fire, particularly with ceramic heaters as they do not heat up to a high enough temperature to start a fire. Electric space heaters are usually cheaper to buy than ceramic heaters.