What is a micathermal heater: principle of operation + device features

Content

Micathermic heater and electric convector. What's better?
Selection Tips: The Best Models
We also recommend seeing:
How to care for a mikathermic heater
How to choose the right model?
How to choose the right power of a mikathermic device
Why Choose Mica Heaters?
Harm of infrared waves for the body - a myth?
Advantages and disadvantages
Which is better - convector or mikathermal heater
Tips for selection and operation
Convector heater
What are conventions
Features of electric convectors

Micathermic heater and electric convector. What's better?

In the cold season, in order to create comfortable conditions in the room, in addition to the existing central heating, it is often necessary to use additional heating devices. The most widely used devices are convection type.

A mikathermic heater is often confused with a convector.

In order to understand the principle of distribution of thermal energy and understand what is the difference between the two heaters, it is necessary to become more familiar with the device device and its technical characteristics.

When the spring-summer period is replaced by the cold autumn-winter period, it is worth thinking about acquiring an additional source of heat.

Since the onset of autumn is characterized by a sharp change in weather, and heating in apartments is turned on much later, a convector or an oil heater should be used.

Today's range of heating equipment for the home is wider than ever: here are convectors, and infrared radiators, and electric fireplaces.

However, how to choose? Efficient, high-tech, economical - all these qualities are inherent in a heating device called a mikathermic heater.

Unlike the above systems, this device appeared on the market quite recently. And therefore, you should find out how it is better than its counterparts.

Very often in everyday life they use heaters or oil type, or convector. In general, they have the same principle of heating air masses (convection), but at the same time, warm air moves in each of the heaters in different ways.

Therefore, let's weigh all the advantages and disadvantages of each of these devices and try to draw objective conclusions.

1 Features of the design of a micathermal heater2 The principle of operation of a micathermal heating element3 Comparison with a convector: pros and cons Most of the population is wary of heating devices in the design of which fundamentally new technologies are used. Despite the indicators declared by the manufacturer, in practice they may be less effective than classic models. When choosing a micathermal heater or convector, it is worth finding out which is better for heating a private house or apartment?

Micathermal heater belongs to the category of novelties in the market of household heating appliances

Such an infrared heating convector has already proved itself well for heating apartments and private households, but it also has some disadvantages that must be taken into account when choosing equipment.

In the article, we will oppose two heaters to each other, the first is a well-known convector, and the second is a micathermal heater.

Let's figure out what these two devices are, and based on their advantages and disadvantages, we will try to answer the question of which one is better.

Selection Tips: The Best Models

Below are the best mikathermic heaters:

Micathermal heater polaris pmh 1598

A budget option.
It has a heating power of 1500 W.
The control takes place with the help of mechanical buttons.
Supports temperature control, equipped with automatic shutdown systems in case of overheating and capsizing.
The cost is from 2,500 rubles.

Micathermal heater polaris pmh 1501hum

Belongs to the middle category of devices.
The model has several useful functions and has a power of 1,500 watts.
Of the functions, one can single out the possibility of drying towels, electronic control and the presence of a remote control.
The cost is from 3,500 rubles.

Micathermic heater ves mx5

Stylish model with a power of 1300 watts.
It has a mechanical control system and is placed on the floor type.
The cost is from 3 900 rubles.

Micathermic heater de longhi hmp1500

A powerful model that supports both wall and floor placement.
The power is 1,500 watts.
The control system is mechanical.
The cost is from 6,000 rubles.

Precautions and Care

After choosing a device, you should read the instructions for use and precautions, care tips

Precautionary measures
Care Tips
Do not place near a power outlet
Before cleaning, turn off the device and wait for it to cool down.
Do not cover with clothes and linen
Use a dry cloth to remove dust
Do not place next to shelves for wall mounting
You can use a damp cloth to remove stains.
Do not connect to external switching devices
A vacuum cleaner is suitable for removing dirt from the grate
Do not place next to curtains at a distance closer than 90 cm
Never use detergents or abrasives to care for the device
Do not run the device cord under a carpet
Regular care of the device is the key to its efficient and safe operation.
Do not place the appliance near water sources when used in the bathroom
Do not allow foreign objects to enter the openings of the device

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How to care for a mikathermic heater

Any electronic device - be it a microwave oven or a printer - requires proper care. In the case of mica heaters, it is also necessary to regularly perform certain manipulations aimed at extending the service life. We’ll make a reservation right away that you shouldn’t worry too much, since no one forces you to disassemble the device and poke around in its “insides”. Moreover, there are special service companies for this.

In our case, care is different - periodically wiping dust from the case and cleaning up dirt. It would seem that these are the simplest things, but in reality they are very important and should not be neglected - this way the heater will last much longer. Here's how to do it right.

Step one. The device is switched off and de-energized.

Step two. He is given a certain time to cool down.

Step three. Use a dry cloth to remove dust from the instrument housing.

Step four. Various dirt on the grate is removed with a vacuum cleaner.

Step five. All stains can be wiped off with a slightly damp cloth.

Note! It is unacceptable to use various detergents, powders, polishes and abrasive substances for micathermal heaters. The fact is that they are likely to damage the coating.

How to choose the right model?

When buying a micathermal heater, you need to build on the characteristics of the room in which it will be placed. Approximately for every 10 sq.m. housing, you need to take 1 kW of power, excluding heat loss.

If this will be the only heat source, you must choose a device with more power. If an infrared heater is bought for a small summer house, you can choose a device with a power of no more than 70 W per 1 sq.m.

In reality, it is difficult to heat a room with only one mikathermal heater, because you need to think very carefully about the location of the device. The maximum heating of air and objects will be observed only at a distance of a couple of meters from the front panel.

Before buying an MK heater, you need to ask the seller for all the necessary accompanying documentation, incl. hygiene certificate for the insulator. It is better to buy equipment with a basalt insulator, which can even be used in the food industry (marks about this are usually present in the hygiene certificate).

Any electrical equipment needs timely and complete care. Due to their structure, micathermic heaters must be vacuumed regularly and wiped with a damp cloth to remove accumulated dust. The device must be de-energized before cleaning.

How to choose the right power of a mikathermic device

The power of the heater must correspond to the area of the heated room. It is believed that for a full warm-up of 10 m² of a room, 1 kW of thermal energy is required. This is an average indicator that does not take into account the specifics of the operation of the device.

And the specifics may lie in the fact, for example, that the battery is the main source of heat, which means that it must be more powerful. There are other nuances - the level of insulation of the house, the presence of doors and windows through which heat loss occurs.

As a result, when purchasing a device, it is better to take it with a power reserve than with its lack. Take as a basis the figure of 70-80 W for each m² of area

Why Choose Mica Heaters?

The advantages of using mikathermic equipment are obvious. These include:

Ecological safety. During operation, the device emits electromagnetic and infrared waves that are in a range that is safe for humans. The synthetic mica covering the heating element does not emit toxic substances.
High heating rate. In the room processed by the device the set temperature is reached extremely quickly. This literally takes a matter of minutes.
Profitability. The heating efficiency of the device, when compared with traditional appliances, is much higher with the same power, therefore, the equipment consumes 30% less electrical energy.
Safety of use. Even with prolonged operation of the device, its body does not warm up above 60C. Therefore, it is impossible to get burned by accidentally touching it.
Versatility. The device can be used indoors and outdoors. An example of the latter is a terrace, balcony or veranda. It can be used as a system that prevents the appearance of glaciation on the staircase.
Silent operation. The manufacturer selects the thickness of the mica plates so that their thermal expansion coincides with the thermal expansion of the core. In this case, unpleasant clicks, which are inevitable during the operation of other electric heaters, are completely excluded.
Light weight. This quality allows us to produce not only mobile floor models, but also wall models of various sizes.
A variety of additional options available. These can be built-in thermostats, various timers and air ionizers. Convenient models equipped with shelves or folding dryers for clothes or shoes.
Directed heating.The possibility of selective heating of individual sections of the room.

With a large number of advantages, mikathermic devices, unfortunately, are not ideal. They also have disadvantages. Directional heating is one of them. This means that the device heats only the area to which it is directed.

The farther from the heater, the less its work is felt. This disadvantage is especially noticeable for devices with a small area, which are able to heat only small sectors of the room.

Mica heaters are very efficient. With the same power as other heaters, they emit more heat, which saves about 30% of electricity

Despite the fact that mica does not attract dust, the latter still accumulates on the device. This is especially unpleasant for models with a large number of holes. When you turn it on for the first time after a long break, the dust begins to burn out and an unpleasant smell spreads around the room.

Another nuance is the heating of the case. The maximum temperature of its heating is small, but in some cases it can be dangerous. Some synthetic fabrics may melt and ignite if they come into contact with the body of the heater.

There is a possibility that certain types of furniture can also "respond" to the proximity of a heat source. Melting or ignition of PVC film and various plastics is not excluded. Therefore, such flammable items must be kept at least one meter away from the appliance.

Despite the fact that the case of mikathermic devices does not heat up much, for safety reasons, do not install the device close to flammable materials or hang clothes made of synthetic fabrics on its body.

Harm of infrared waves for the body - a myth?

Infrared waves are traditional electromagnetic radiation, similar in structure to the sun's rays. The harm and benefits of infrared radiation are determined by the depth of penetration of these waves into the skin.

There are 3 types of heaters depending on the wavelength and incandescent temperature of the heating element:

devices with maximum heating up to 300 degrees and a wavelength of 50-200 microns;
devices that heat up to 600 degrees, and with a wavelength of 2.5-50 microns;
heaters with heating up to 800 degrees and a wavelength of 0.7-2.5 microns.

Those. the higher the incandescent temperature of the device, the more short waves will be emitted. For an ordinary healthy person, heat waves with a length of about 9.6 microns are safe. Manufacturers in the passport of the technical device indicate the range of infrared radiation.

Information about the range of infrared radiation can be found in the accompanying documentation for heaters or on the product box. The absence of this information indicates significant violations on the part of the manufacturer.

Usually it varies between 2-10 microns. In this case, the intensity of IR radiation depends on the characteristics of the heated surface (especially its emissivity). The most powerful radiation comes from a heated black object.

Any prolonged targeted infrared radiation has a bad effect on the human body, which is expressed in:

drying of the skin;
decreased vision (with prolonged exposure, the risk of developing cataracts increases);
violation of the structure of cell membranes (typical for short infrared waves), etc.

It is especially dangerous to install a powerful ceiling heater in a room with low ceilings. In this case, infrared rays will constantly heat the human head and can lead to the development of all kinds of diseases.

But these infrared heaters can bring real harm only in the case of a constant directed flow to a person. Ideally, devices should be installed so that the heaters give off their heat to walls or furniture, but are not directed at a person.

The heater should not always be directed at the person. Infrared is only useful in small amounts.

However, at the same time, in Japan and Europe, entire institutes are developing methods to fight cancer based on the influence of infrared radiation. In the course of scientific research, it has been proven that IR waves, reaching the inside of the skin by 14-20 cm, carry out effective cell detoxification.

This is due to selective hyperthermia, increased biochemical circulation and elimination of congestion in tissues. The result of the use of radiation depends on properly selected circuits, and a micathermic heater is absolutely safe for health, if common sense is used when installing it.

Advantages and disadvantages

To make the right choice, it is necessary to take into account all the pros and cons of micathermal heaters. The positives are as follows:

reduced power consumption compared to other infrared devices;
small dimensions and weight;
quick access to the operating mode (within a minute);
case temperature during operation excludes getting burned;
almost complete noiselessness;
preservation of oxygen in the room;
reasonable prices (there are models for 2.5 thousand rubles).

The negative sides are:

limited heating area;
the difficulty of cleaning the device from dust and an unpleasant smell from its combustion;
high cost of brands.

Which is better - convector or mikathermal heater

A high-quality convective heater is also not cheap, so we will not consider this criterion. For the rest of the parameters, the picture is as follows:

From 80 to 90% of the heat, the convector transfers directly to the air, the share of radiant energy is a maximum of 20%. At the first stage, the air environment of the room is heated, the objects remain cold. It will take several hours for the temperature to equalize.
With a mikathermic heater, the opposite is true: the air in the room is cool, and the surfaces in the coverage area are heated. The heat exchange of objects with the air will take the same 2-5 hours.
The convector is heavier than the mica device, but it is also attached to the wall or equipped with wheels. You don't have to carry it around.
For 3-5 hours required to fully warm up the room, both electrical installations "wind" the meter in approximately the same way (± 5%).
When comparing, the set of useful functions does not play a special role - it is identical in both types of devices: thermostat, step or smooth power adjustment, display, tilt protection, dryer shelf, etc.

Theoretically, the rate of full heating of the room is the same for both options. But in practice and according to the feelings of people, the convector works faster

And it does not matter that part of the heat is retained along with the air near the ceiling. Infrared heating has more problems:

radiation does not cover all the furniture, half of the surfaces remain cold;
objects are made of different materials that give off and absorb heat in different ways, which slows down the heating of the air;
the feeling of comfortable heating comes along with the heated air, and the waves of radiant heat "roast" you on one side.

The diagram on the left shows the ideal picture of infrared heating. But the rooms are not empty - there is furniture that is not so willing to part with the received heat as bare walls.

Tips for selection and operation

The most important indicator of the heater is its power. Reference point - 1000 W per 10 m2 of area. The simplicity of such a calculation should not, however, be misleading. It does not allow to take into account the nuances of the room and some other subtleties.

In any case, you need to reserve some power margin. Then, if an emergency occurs, the auxiliary heater will become a reliable safety net. In addition, an additional power reserve will have to be made if the climate of the area is very severe or there are significant heat losses in the room. If there is a firm belief that the device will play a purely auxiliary role, you can stick to the formula of 600 watts per 10 square meters. m.

But the seasonal factor cannot be ignored. So, for a summer residence and a country house used only from mid-spring to the end of autumn, high air temperature is not needed. There, even the main device can have a power of 700-800 W per 10 m2, and do its job perfectly.

When the required power is set, it is important not to confuse it with energy consumption yet.

The next point is the thickness of the coating on the radiating plate. If it is less than 25 microns, the life of the heater will be very short. But it is impossible to determine this thickness by eye or with the help of instruments available to ordinary citizens. It remains to trust the information provided by manufacturers.

Basalt is recognized as the best insulator option. It is quite reliable and does not emit even a small amount of toxic fumes. You can find out what the insulator is made of by the hygiene certificate. Equipping the heater with a liquid crystal screen cannot be regarded simply as a luxury - this is a very useful option.

Cases of mikathermic devices are made from a variety of materials. But the most reliable choice was and remains ordinary steel. Connoisseurs recommend looking at the case from the outside, and as far as possible, inside. Even small traces of corrosion are unacceptable.

Hanging devices are usually lighter than floor models. And among the floor ones, unambiguous preference should be given to versions with wheels. A hanging heater is sometimes placed not only on the wall, but also on the ceiling. This solution significantly accelerates the heating of a large room. Of the additional options, first of all, the adjustment of the intensity of heating deserves attention.

Thermostats with electronic components work more accurately and are more convenient to use. However, the "mechanics" also have their advantages - it will last longer. Of course, ceiling models must be equipped with control panels

This requirement is also important for heaters placed in a large room. If the device is programmable, then this is a very serious advantage.

With all the convenience and perfection of mikathermic heaters, we must not forget that they must be handled according to strict rules. Like any other electrical device, this technique must not be turned on:

with visible damage to the body;
when the insulation is deformed or the wires come out;
into a spark plug.

It is also prohibited:

pulling, twisting the network wire (and it doesn’t matter what “it’s more convenient” or “it’s ugly when the wires stick out”);
placing it under the floor covering;
crushing the cable with furniture;
pulling the cord closer than 1 m from combustible, highly heated objects;
covering the body of the operating heater;
unauthorized design changes;
connection to a network with inappropriate power parameters.

Holes should be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner. Household chemicals, unless they are expressly recommended by the manufacturer, should not be used. The smell of burnt dust that occurs during the first start-up or after a long period of inactivity remains for 1-2 hours. This is completely normal and should not cause concern.

The following video provides a detailed overview of the Polaris PMH 1504 Micathermal Heater.

Convector heater

Many people, before buying a heating device, whether it is a micathermal heater or a convector, are tormented by the question of which is better, which one to buy, so that over time the same annoying feeling of dissatisfaction does not appear.

What are conventions

From physics textbooks, we know that convention is a process when heated air rises up to the ceiling and, cooling there, under its weight descends down to the floor, where it heats up again due to the operation of the heater. Thus, there is a continuous process.Most convectors work on this principle.

In total, three types of such equipment can be distinguished:

Water.
Electric.
Gas.

Each type has certain characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. But the principle of action is the same for everyone. We will consider one type - electric, since only it can compete with a mikathermic heater.

Features of electric convectors

The electric convector is a metal case, inside of which there is a tubular heating element, or mineral oil, and the temperature is controlled by a thermostat. There are slots on the bottom and top of the case - to ensure efficient thermal circulation. So, through the lower slots, cold air enters the device, where it heats up, and exits through the holes from above (for more information about the principle of operation, see the article on how an electric convector works).

Among the advantages of such devices are:

safety;
high efficiency;
simple installation;
rapid heating of the air in the room.

When choosing between a heating element and an oil heater, you should rely on your wishes. With the help of the latter, it is possible to provide long-term heating of large areas. A heating element convector consumes less electricity and, according to experts, is safer.

A few words about the disadvantages of convector heaters:

Large power consumption.
Over time, the efficiency of the device decreases, this is caused by a constant temperature difference.
Noise during heating or cooling of the heater.
Burnt out tubular electric heating elements cannot be replaced; such a device is no longer suitable for repair.