To organize a cozy outdoor recreation in the cool or cold part of the year, it is necessary to provide space heating. In addition to warm bedspreads, blankets and clothing, you can provide thermal comfort through the use of outdoor heaters. They provide an opportunity for free outdoor recreation even in autumn and spring, without health risks.
Content
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The principle of operation and types of devices
- Outdoor gas heater
- Electric outdoor heater
- Device selection
The principle of operation and types of devices
A key feature of any outdoor heater is that infrared radiation is used during operation. The transfer of heat from sources to objects by convection only makes sense in closed rooms. If you heat the air outside, and then forward it to the desired object, then the heat loss will amount to more than 90%. It is more expedient to transfer heat using infrared rays: the air will heat up slightly, and the object will absorb most of the heat.
You can warm up the emitters by the following methods:
- using liquefied bottled gas;
- connecting to a power source.
IR heaters are safe and environmentally friendly, since there is no ultraviolet radiation, which in significant quantities can greatly harm human health.
Outdoor gas heater
Outwardly, devices of this type resemble indoor floor lamps.. The package includes a casing made of metal, inside which a gas cylinder is installed. A vertical tube of small diameter comes out of it, through which gas enters the burner. It generates infrared rays during heating.
The burner block is covered from above with a wide reflector hood that directs heat rays to the heating zone. At the entrance there is a control unit and a fuel supply regulator.
Besides "floor lamps" or "fungi", "pyramids" have become popular in recent years. In such appliances, the gas is burned in a glass tube rather than at the top of the burner. This gives a beautiful effect reminiscent of an open fire. "Pyramids" are great for installation on terraces or gazebos.
It should be noted that the "pyramids" have a small heating radius - about two meters. And devices with an active top burner can dissipate heat up to 6-10 meters.
Electric outdoor heater
At the heart of their design is a heating element (tube), inside which there is a nichrome spiral. Depending on the housing materials, glass (quartz) can be used for the heating tubes, ceramic or metal (aluminum).
Glass heaters have the smallest resource. Their service life is on average 2-3 years. Ceramics and metals last much longer. The infrared rays are directed to the heating zone by a metal reflector resembling a hood or a flat panel. The design of these outdoor heaters is diverse. There are panel models, tables, lampposts, table lamps, pyramids and even propellers.
If we take into account the heating area, then electrical appliances are inferior to gas ones. Their power does not exceed 3 kW and the heating radius is no more than 3 meters. But their efficiency and heat output are much higher. According to the results of the research, the specialists published the following statistics: the electrical appliance maintains the temperature in the zone of its operation at the level of +20 degrees (with the temperature outside +5). With the help of gas appliances, such indicators can be achieved if the temperature outside does not drop below +10.
A significant drawback of the electrical system is low mobility. A gas street heater can be installed anywhere in the summer cottage or taken with you to a picnic in the cold season. The scope of the electric heater is always limited by the length of the cable.
Device selection
Choosing the right device is not difficult if you take into account several characteristics:
- Radius (diameter) of the heating zone.
- Fuel consumption per hour (in liters or grams) if you are interested in gas systems.
- Period of continuous burning.
It is important to know that in the data sheets, manufacturers, as a rule, indicate not the radius (diameter), but the area.
All heaters, regardless of type, have tilt sensors. They will disconnect
devices in case of overturning. Together with gas installations, the delivery set includes stationary or removable wheels for transportation. Electrical panels are additionally equipped with mobile stands and wall mounts.
The power of gas systems can be regulated in two ways: stepwise or smoothly. In practice, it has been proven that smooth gas flow is more convenient.
In addition to manual power control, expensive models also have a remote control. Another useful feature is the motion sensor. It will turn off the device when a person leaves the room, and starts when returning back.
Don't be lazy, take some time to study the reviews left by other users. Pay attention to the tips and notes from the owners of devices of a particular brand.
