How to choose a fan heater: which one is better and why

The best option for quick heating of cold rooms in the off-season is the use of fan heaters. The simple device and cheapness of these devices made them megapopular among citizens. But choosing the right one is not so easy - in a huge assortment from various manufacturers it is easy to get confused.

We will help you figure out how to choose a fan heater for heating, for which we will study the options for their device and features of use in various conditions.

We also give the main criteria affecting the choice of the device and give practical recommendations to future buyers.

Fan Heater Classification

Fan heaters are classified according to the method of installation, the scope of application and the heating element. According to the type of regulation, they can be divided into remote and mechanical.

Fan heaters with remote control are more expensive, but they allow you to control their work without getting up and not removing a warm blanket.

Next, the features of the devices will be analyzed in the context of their classification affiliation.

By scope

The scope of the fan heaters are divided into:

• industrial;
• household.

Industrial models, unlike household, are designed for round-the-clock use without compromising the durability of the work.

The power of each category is also different due to the capacity of the house electrical networks.

Automation on apartment electric meters is triggered already under continuous loads of 3.5-4 kW, therefore, the power of domestic fan heaters rarely exceeds 2.5 kW.

Heaters for industrial use are not limited by power consumption and usually have the ability to connect to a network of 380 V.

High-performance heating systems are sometimes called heat guns.

By the nature of the installation

By the method of installation, fan heaters are classified into the following types: stationary and mobile.

Stationary, in turn, are divided into:

• floor standing;
• wall mounted;
• ceiling;
• combined.

Mobile devices can be installed anywhere in the room and even hung on hooks. These include desktop heating systems.

Mobile fan heaters are compact, lightweight, and their power is usually limited to 2-2.5 kW.

Floor heaters often have the form of a vertical column. Compared to mobile devices, they produce less noise, more performance.

Some floor models have a movable swivel housing that allows you to direct the flow of warm air in several directions. In the summer they can be used as simple fans.

Wall-mounted fan heaters resemble externally the internal unit of the air conditioner, however, the air flow they serve not aside, but downwards. They are often used for thermal curtains over the entrance doors to the room. Wall models are controlled using the control panel and mechanically.

Ceiling fan heaters direct the flow of warm air in all directions at the same time, therefore, recommended for heating large rooms with high walls.

Stationary fan heaters are relevant in areas with a constant need for heating. And if the heat is needed for a couple of weeks or just for heating the legs, then the mobile option is the best choice.

By heating element

The heating element in the fan heater may be as follows:

• TEN;
• spiral;
• ceramic heater;
• water heat exchanger.

Devices with a water heat exchanger are usually hung on the walls and integrated into the room heating system. Their fan serves to accelerate the circulation of air in the room when rapid heating is necessary.

The spiral of nichrome wire is the oldest and cheapest heating element, which has been used for more than 100 years. Its surface is heated to 800 ° C, which leads to burning of the airborne dust and the appearance of a slight burning smell.

Blown coil can cause the device to ignite, so this type of fan heater is the most fire hazardous.

Tenovy heaters have an appearance of a tube which contains a nikhromovy wire inside and is filled with heat-conducting substance. The temperature of its surface rarely exceeds 450 ° C, so the dust does not burn when in contact with the tube.

This makes the heater more comfortable and safer than helix, no odors arise during its operation. The cost of fan heaters with heating heaters is slightly higher than with spiral heaters.

Ceramic heaters have radiator grilles of semiconductor material, the surface of which is made of heat-resistant glass-ceramic. These products are obtained by spraying powder on a metal frame, followed by sintering in a furnace.

The surface temperature of ceramic heaters does not exceed 100-150 ° C, and high heat transfer is provided due to the large area of ​​contact of the air with the hot coating. Such heaters are safe to use, but require regular manual cleaning and are more expensive.

Device and principle of operation

The fan heater, by definition, must generate heat, which is carried around the room using a fan.

Therefore, any such device consists of three essential components:

1. Body
2. A heating element.
3. Fan.

The case of budget models is made of cheap plastic, which during long-term operation can be deformed and even melted. It is advisable to purchase fan heaters in a metal shell, which is able to limit the fire in case of overheating of the internal elements.

The fan may have a different power. The higher it is, the faster air is blown through the heating element, reducing the temperature of its surface. The speed of rotation of the impeller is often changed by means of a knob.

Fans can be of two types:

• axial (lobed);
• tangential.

Axial fans have 3-8 blades of the usual type, which are made of plastic or metal. Such impellers are mounted on portable models. Axial fans are noisy, but unpretentious to maintain. They need to be periodically lubricated with engine oil.

Tangential fans have the form of a cylinder with 20-30 blades in the form of longitudinally arranged strips. They are located mainly in wall and vertical models.

The cylindrical design ensures quiet operation and high performance. The disadvantage of tangential fans is the need for periodic cleaning.

The heating elements are located in front of the impellers, which allows them to cool evenly. The rear fan also contributes to trapping more air.

In addition to the main components, heaters may have additional equipment, expanding their functionality.

Criteria for the selection of a fan heater

Choosing a fan heater is not an easy task. The range of products is large, and prices for similar models may vary significantly.

Further, it will be considered what characteristics of the heater to pay attention to when buying in order to choose the most useful model and not to overpay for unnecessary functions.

The main factors that determine the choice of fan heater are:

• power consumption;
• type of heating element;
• availability of additional functions;
• modes of operation.

The influence of each of these factors on the choice of the heater should be considered in more detail.

Criterion # 1 - power consumption of the device

Only 10-12% of the fan heaters on the market have a capacity of less than 2 kW, but they also have a buyer.

Heaters with a capacity of 1-1.5 kW are recommended to be purchased in such cases:

1. The house has old aluminum wiring that can catch fire due to high loads.
2. Requires simultaneous inclusion of 2-3 fan heaters in the same room or apartment.
3. The size of the heated room does not exceed 10 sq.m.
4. The appliance will be used for additional heating with the existing heating system.

The minimum power of the fan heater is calculated based on the norm of 1 kW per 25 cubic meters. premises.

It must be remembered that ordinary sockets are designed for a maximum current of 16A, which corresponds to an equipment capacity of 3.5 kW. Therefore, long-term use at home heaters with a consumption of more than 3 kW can not.

Criterion # 2 - type of heating element

The most common fan heaters with heating elements in the form of heating elements, spirals and ceramic grille. Budget models of heaters are equipped with a nichrome spiral.

You can choose such a heater in such cases:

1. There is no financial opportunity to buy a more expensive model.
2. The device will be constantly in sight.
3. The use of the heater will not be around the clock.
4. Fan noise is not critical.

Cheap fan heaters with a nichrome spiral are quite fire hazardous, so you only need to buy them under the listed conditions.

The best option of the heater is a device with a ceramic heating element.

They are more expensive than spiral by 20-50%, but have several advantages:

1. Have high fire safety.
2. Can be operated around the clock.
3. Durable.
4. Do not burn the air dust.

Fan heaters with heaters are practical between spiral and ceramic. You can choose them if you have a good additional functionality and a reasonable price.

Criterion # 3 - modes of operation of the fan and heater

The number of operating modes of a fan heater directly affects its life and efficiency.

Usually, heaters have three schemes for regulating their work:

• change fan speed;
• temperature control of the heating element;
• automatic maintenance of the set temperature in the room, by periodically switching the device on and off.

The change of these parameters can occur discrete or smooth movement of the adjusting knob. A more precise setting allows you to create the desired temperature in the room, without wasting extra electricity.

To change the fan rotation speed, you can use a special device - a regulator, the device of which and the connection rules we reviewed here. The regulator can also be used in the assembly of a homemade heater.

Some models of fan heaters have a built-in timer, which allows you to heat the room just before the arrival of a person.

Criterion # 4 - additional functionality of devices

The basic functionality of fan heaters usually involves the presence of knobs regulating the power of the heating element and the speed of rotation of the impeller. But manufacturers equip heaters and other devices so that their products have competitive advantages.

The presence of additional functions in a fan heater is an indisputable advantage, therefore within the framework of the existing budget it is recommended to buy a heater with their maximum number. But first you need to assess the real need for additional equipment.

These additional equipment include:

1. Rotary mechanism that allows you to direct warm air in different directions.
2. Low noise bearings.
3. Protection sensors that turn off the device when tipping or overheating. They are relevant for families with young children and pets.
4. Thermostat.
5. Splash-proof housing.
6. Humidifier.
7. Ionizer.
8. Remote Control
9. Air filters.

The cold mode is also actively used (without turning on the heating element).

With regard to such a function as ionization, experts recommend for this purpose to buy a separate device designed to perform the ionization process. Argued by the fact that special devices designed for air ionization, better cope with this task.

Recommendations on the choice of domestic ionizer, we led in this article.

Each additional equipment adds a certain amount to the cost of the fan heater, so the functionality of the heater is limited only by the planned purchase budget.

Doubt the feasibility of buying a personalized this type of heater? We recommend to get acquainted with the material in which we gave a detailed comparison fan heater and convector.

Popular fan heater manufacturers

To protect yourself from buying a poor-quality fan heater, it is advisable to purchase products from trusted manufacturers who are worried about their image.

The following is a list of the most well-known brands of fan heaters, well-established among consumers:

1. Calore. The company has floor and desktop models with a compact design and good performance. They are equipped with overheating protection, therefore they are safe to use.
2. Ballu. Heaters of this company are represented mainly by small but powerful models that are equipped with power control knobs.
3. Electrolux. Fan heaters of the company are famous for their unusual design. The instrument cases are made of environmentally friendly heat-resistant materials that provide additional protection.
4. Timberk. The company produces fan heaters with spiral and ceramic heaters. Most models are equipped with additional features. There are wall options.
5. Polaris. Heaters are presented wall, floor and mobile models. The advantages are a wide range and diverse design.
6. Stadler form. A feature of this company is the production of rectangular and perfectly round heaters. The original design is combined with high-quality ceramic heaters.
7. Mystery. This company offers many inexpensive outdoor models of vertical type, equipped with timers and thermostats.

Some companies produce up to 10 new modifications per year.

The list of worthy companies is not limited to the proposed options and is constantly updated with new manufacturers of quality products.

The cost of a fan heater from a well-known manufacturer seems to be too high? For heating a garage or other utility room, you can make a homemade heater based on a fan-type heat gun. For the assembly of devices you can use the available materials.

Detailed instructions for making popular homemade products can be found in the following articles:

• How to make a fan heater with your own hands: instructions for making a homemade device
• Do-it-yourself heat gun: production options for different types of fuel
• DIY electric heat gun: the pros and cons of homemade + assembly instructions
• Garage Heaters: Sound Tips for Choosing the Best Heater

Instructions for using the device

Before buying a fan heater, you should familiarize yourself with tips on the use of fan heaters.

The list of useful knowledge is given below.

1. If it is necessary to heat the legs in the office, a cheap 1–1.5 kW heater with a spiral heater is suitable.
2. Heaters for permanent use should be equipped with automatic shutdowns in case of overheating or a coup. It is also desirable to have a thermostat.
3. For heating several rooms a fan heater is needed in each room.
4. Do not place the device on blankets, pillows and other surfaces that prevent its cooling.
5. Conventional fan heaters are forbidden to use in shower rooms and rooms with high humidity.
6. It is impossible to direct warm air to plastic home decoration.

Compliance with these recommendations will save money, keep the equipment working and prevent possible accidents.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The offered videos present comparative reviews of fan heaters from their vendors. They will show the work of heaters on real-world examples and allow to evaluate their appearance at home.

The range of designer heaters Stadler Form:

Features of operation of compact fan heaters:

Overview of various air heaters:

The choice of a fan heater is not an easy task, especially when buying a device in the middle and premium price category. If you give preference to less expensive models with broad functionality, you can stumble upon their low quality..

Following the proposed tips will help you figure out which type of fan heater is best purchased for specific tasks without spending money in vain.

Do you use a fan heater for heating? Tell us which model you purchased and what parameters were important for you when you purchased? Add a photo of your fan heater, write your recommendations in the comments block - your experience will be useful to people who are just now choosing a fan heater for their home.