How to choose a fan heater: classification of units + what to look for when buying?

Infrared heaters

Most people are still wary of infrared models. Their principle of operation is somewhat similar to the sun.

The infrared radiation of the lamps does not heat the air in the room, but the objects located in it, which then give off heat to the surrounding space. Heating occurs due to invisible rays in the infrared spectrum.

You need to get used to this. Feelings under the heater itself will be as if you are sitting near the stove. One side is fried, and the other is at room temperature.

To protect yourself from exposure to such equipment, follow the basic rules for use.

If you stay under such a heater for a very long time, you can feel a headache and fatigue.

In addition, the infrared spectrum in excess amounts can adversely affect the skin. Such a beam is able to penetrate to a depth of several centimeters under the skin and only then give off heat from the inside, heading towards the outer surface of the skin.

Everything here depends on the power of the source and the duration of being under it. If you follow the instructions, then you should not be afraid of such radiation. How to protect yourself?

Most importantly, maintain a minimum distance from the infrared heater. It must be at least 2 meters.

The advantages of infrared technology include:

instant warmth

almost no loss of oxygen

no smell

noiselessness

And as numerous tests show, such heating is the most fireproof. Even if you place a Christmas tree right under the infrared heater (up to its touching the protective screen), setting it on fire will be problematic.

Just do not try to purposefully repeat such experiments at home. Heater to heater strife, and compliance with safety rules should be in the first place.

The device has a small mass. It can equally well be placed as on the walls or ceiling (hang on mounting chains like a fluorescent lamp).

So fix it on special legs.

However, there are some peculiarities. One of the disadvantages is the limitation of the efficiency of the device by the scattering angle.

Step outside this zone and you will immediately feel a temperature difference of several degrees. Infrared heaters from the very beginning were created specifically for heating only working areas in rooms without heating.

To improve the heating efficiency when suspended from the ceiling, you can paint the floors in a dark color.

There are also models made of ceramic plates, which also emit infrared thermal radiation, plus they look beautiful.

They have low power and are resistant to moisture. Therefore, they can be safely used in the bathroom.

Repair

The most common breakdowns that occur in thermal fans include:

• combustion of the engine due to the ingress of small objects from the outside;
• case overheating due to accumulated contaminants;
• fan / thermostat malfunctions;
• discrepancy between the power of the device and the required heating temperature;
• the failure of the heaters is accompanied by a complete disassembly of the unit, followed by the replacement of the burnt element;
• shutdown of the protection system, which may occur due to general overheating and combustion of the coil or wiring;
• increase in mains voltage after turning on the device;
• breakdown of automation - a rare type of breakdown, corrected by replacing a failed spare part.

Convector

The principle of operation of the convector is based on a simple law of physics. Cold air naturally enters the appliance from below. After that, heating occurs inside the case and, already heated, it exits through the upper grilles (at an angle) into the ceiling.

The case itself does not heat up as much as in radiator models. It's the air that's heating up.

The truth does not warm up in the room right away. Unless an additional fan is built in inside.
If you come from work to a cold apartment and turn on the convector, then for any reason the floor of the house will be cold for a very long time.

Moreover, at a small height from the floor there will also be a layer of cold air.
The warmest place in this case is the ceiling. If there is even a small draft, it will be quite difficult to warm up the walls and furniture in the room.

Almost all convectors are mounted on the wall, but some are also equipped with legs.

Remember the rule that the lower the convector is installed, the more efficiently it will work out its kilowatts.

The wall-mounted installation option looks very aesthetically pleasing, but it will no longer be possible to transfer it from the bedroom to the hall or to the kitchen.

The main heating element of the convector is a spiral. Therefore, such devices also burn oxygen.

But recently, heaters with a tube consisting of a large number of fins have been increasingly used.

Due to this, even during long-term operation, their case does not heat up more than 90 C. And for many models, the temperature is even less than + 55-60 degrees.

Such options will be a good solution for families with small children.

When installing heating in the bathroom, make sure that the model has a minimum degree of protection IP24.

The first digit indicates that the device is protected from the penetration of solid items larger than 12mm. For example, the fingers of an adult's hand.

The second digit (4) indicates that the heater is protected against splashing water from any direction.

You can find out how much it will actually cost you to heat your house with convectors as the main source of heat from this video:

Step-by-step instruction

Decide on choice of air conditioning equipment, sometimes it’s not at all easy, especially if you have not met devices of this type before. To make the right decision when choosing a fan heater, you should use the following step-by-step instructions:

1. Determine for what purpose the device is needed and where it will be installed
2. How often will the device be used
3. Decide on the type of heating element
4. Calculate the required power
5. Select the most important functions that the device should have
6. Select manufacturer

And now we will analyze each point in order.

Guarantee

• The standard warranty period for a fan heater is 12 months from the date it was sold. From the moment of production, it is no more than 24 months.
• In some cases, an extended product warranty is provided, which is 60 months from the date of manufacture. You can check the availability of an extended warranty at a service center, in a store or on the manufacturer's website.
• Upon purchase, a warranty book with tear-off coupons is provided. If there is no mark of a trading company in the instruction manual, the warranty period is calculated from the date of production.

The owner reserves the right to free repair in the service while the warranty period is valid. The workshop withdraws the tear-off coupon after each repair. Accounting is kept in the guarantee book.

In case of violation of the operating rules, the heating unit is automatically removed from the warranty. Repair work from now on is carried out at the expense of the buyer.

The exchange of goods under warranty occurs in accordance with the rules that apply at each outlet.

The buyer loses the warranty rights if:

• the trade certificate and the warranty card are filled out incorrectly;
• no passport or warranty card;
• the goods were used for other purposes or in violation of the rules of operation;
• the goods were damaged mechanically, chips, cracks or deformation of the case were found on it;
• found traces of self-repair or any other implementation;
• the design of the fan heater has been changed;

• foreign substances (sand, clay, dust and soot) were found inside the device;
• the serial number is completely or partially erased;
• the fan heater has been exposed to strong humidity, which has caused rust, or aggressive chemicals;
• the problem is related to the wrong connection to the mains and to all external sources of electricity;
• the fault has occurred in an electrical source that does not have a ground connection.

The warranty does not cover cases related to natural disasters and accidents, and products that come with the equipment, as they work for a short time.

The terms of the guarantee do not imply cleaning of the fan heater and home visit of repair services.

Top Producers

The best manufacturers who have proven their products for good quality and safety include:

• Electrolux (Sweden);
• Mystery (USA);
• Stadler Form (Switzerland);
• Polaris (Russia);
• Timberk (Sweden);
• Calor (France);
• Ballu (China);
• Stadler Form (Switzerland);
• AEG (Germany);
• Timberk (Sweden);
• Rolsen (Russia);
• Scarlett (Russia);
• Dulonghi (Italy);
• Timberk (Sweden);
• Vitek (Russia).

It is best to purchase electrical appliances from trusted brands, the build quality of which and the materials used are guaranteed to be of high quality.

In cheap models from little-known manufacturers, toxic materials that are prone to fire can be used in the manufacture.

Often, the market for fan heaters offers models of Chinese assembly, which can scare away the choice.But well-known brands keep all assembly processes and the quality of the materials used under strict control.

What is the price

The cost of fan heaters is different and will satisfy any budget:

• from 850 rub. for the model of the electric gun "Kraton" / EPH-2.0 180 V, with mechanical control, power 2 kW;
• up to RUB 668,963 for the industrial model of the water fan heater Frico/SWXCS12 Fan heater, with a power of 10.7 kW.

Having determined the budget possibilities and the main selection criteria, you can choose the optimal price / quality ratio.

Classification of units according to the place of installation

Depending on the location, fan heaters are divided into:

• desktop;
• floor;
• wall;
• ceiling.

Desktop (portable) fan heaters are compact, easy to store, move and use.

Floor fan heaters are usually made in the form of a column. They are more productive than portable ones and less noisy. Often they can boast of the "auto-rotate" function. In summer, such units can be used as conventional fans.

Wall-mounted fan heaters produce a very powerful jet of warm air, make it possible to save space in the room, and it is extremely easy to control them - using a remote control. In appearance, wall-mounted models of fan heaters resemble the indoor unit of a split system (air conditioner).

Ceiling fixtures are a reasonable choice for rooms with high ceilings. They effectively equalize the air temperature throughout the room.

Wall-mounted fan heaters are good not only for heating rooms in the house, but also for creating a thermal curtain in the back rooms of shops or cafes: they will help to “cut off” the cold air, for example, during the reception of goods

Which fan heater is better in your particular case, only you can determine for yourself. If you plan to constantly move the device (take it with you to the country house, alternately warm up the balcony and loggia, etc.), then it is best, of course, to get a lightweight portable unit.

Types of fan heaters

Stationary

The list of stationary devices includes all built-in and mounted models of fan heaters. Many of them look like air conditioners, have 3-4 power levels and are controlled using the remote control or manually from the buttons placed on the body.

It also allows you to adjust the direction of the air flow. In the summer, stationary devices also do not stand idle, but are used with the heating element turned off as a normal fan.

Pros:

• High performance;
• Quickly heat even spacious rooms;
• The presence of additional functions, such as a timer or an air ionizer;
• Wide range of settings;
• Ability to work with remote control;
• Low noise level.

Minuses:

• Cannot be moved to another room;
• Large dimensions;
• High electricity consumption (from 2 to 9 kW).

Portable

Table and floor fan heaters are distinguished by their compact size and mobility. It is ideal for auxiliary heating in homes, offices, garages and any small space.

You can simply put them next to you on the nightstand, place under the table or in an empty corner of the room. Many portable fan heaters (with the exception of desktop models) can rotate around their axis by 70 °, evenly heating the air throughout the room.

Pros:

• Small size and quite lifting weight (up to 1.5 kg);
• Extremely simple control;
• Low power consumption;
• There are models with dust filters;
• Very affordable price.

Minuses:

• The risk of overturning a light device is great;
• Inexpensive models are noisy and are not always equipped with a power regulator;
• Spiral fan heaters burn out the dust settling on them, which causes an unpleasant smell of burning.

How a fan heater works

To make the right choice, you should first familiarize yourself with the structure of the fan heater. Understand the basic working principle of the device.

Any fan heater includes: a housing made of high-strength plastic or metal, a heating element and, of course, a fan, the blades of which can also be plastic or metal. More expensive models also have a swivel mechanism.

The fan itself can be of two varieties, tangential or axial. During operation of the first, less noise is emitted.

Heating of the room occurs due to the movement of air flows. Cold air enters the device, and after instant heating, it is distributed throughout the room with the help of a fan. This method of heating to this day remains the fastest.

Installation location

By place of installation fan heaters are divided into:

• stationary Fixed, mounted on the floor, on the wall or on the ceiling. These types are used in production areas.
• mobile Mobile, dynamic, placed on the floor, on the wall on hooks, on a table, bedside table, etc. Such models are compact, lightweight, on wheels. The use of such options is typical in everyday life.

Combined types are also possible, combining the possibility of installation in both ways.

Instruction

Before using the electric heater, you must read the instructions for the correct operation of the device. This will protect it from sudden breakage and ensure the safety of use.

The rules of use include:

• checking the cable before connecting;
• installation of the device, excluding its fall;
• not blocked inlet and outlet of air masses;
• do not place on a pillow, blanket or other unstable surface;
• do not cover the device with a blanket, towel, newspapers, napkins or other items;
• do not install it in a bathroom or in a room with high humidity;
• do not carry the installation by holding the cable;
• place at a distance of at least 1 m from other objects;
• protect from moisture, water, any liquid;
• to heat several rooms, it is necessary to install a heater in each;
• make sure that the air flow from the appliance is directed not at plastic or other objects.

How to install, wall mounting

Installation and connection of the heat fan can be done independently, with your own hands, having studied the instructions and the connection diagram. To do this, use the fasteners provided by the manufacturer.

Fan heaters with a power of up to 6 kW are connected, respectively, to a single-phase circuit to a 220 W network. The connection of fan heaters with a power of 6 kW or more is carried out according to the three-phase scheme to a 380 W network.

Incorrect installation can lead to poor heating of the area; blowing cold air instead of warm air, etc. If such malfunctions are observed, you should seek help from a specialist.

How does a fan heater work

Any fan heater consists of three main parts: housing, heating element and fan.

The principle of operation is extremely simple. The fan captures cold air and sends it to the heating element, where it warms up. With the help of the same fan, the air is blown back into the space already warm.

Because of this mechanism, the devices were nicknamed "wind blowers" or "heaters with a fan."

All of the above elements can have a different structure, the reliability and functionality of the equipment depend on this. So we will talk about every detail in detail.

The main disadvantage of all heating devices is the noise produced, which is explained by the rotation of the blades. In terms of loudness, they are classified as follows (from the quietest to the noisiest):

• infrared;
• oil and convector;
• fan heaters and heat guns.

So be prepared for a monotonous hum. Moreover, the more powerful the unit, the louder it works.

But this minus does not detract from the main advantage - the rapid heating of the room. This happens precisely because of the presence of a fan. It enhances the circulation of air masses, and a comfortable microclimate is achieved in a short time.

What is a fan heater, its device

Fan heaters (or fan heaters) are compact heating devices that heat the air. They consist of a heating element and a fan that drives air through the heater. That is why the device is called a fan heater - the fan "drives" heat.They also call it the "air blower" - there is nothing to explain here.

Electric heater device

But that's not all, there may be some more functional elements that make the device more convenient, functional and safe. For example, for the possibility of changing the intensity of heating, there is a regulator. Translating it from one position to another, change the power of the heating element. This makes it possible to adjust the operation of the device to specific conditions. In more expensive models, it is possible to set the air temperature. They have a temperature sensor and a controller that monitors temperature changes and turns the device on or off, changes the heater power. That is, the adjustment takes place automatically.

If you want to choose an economical fan heater, it is better to have this function - maintaining the set temperature. In this case, only the amount of electricity that is needed to maintain the parameters you specified will be spent. With manual shutdown, there is usually an overrun - they turn off the equipment when it gets really hot.

In addition, most models have overheating protection. In the cheapest models, this is a regular fuse, in more expensive ones, a thermal relay. If the fuse blows, it must be changed, the triggered thermal relay only temporarily turns off the power, turning it on again after cooling. For fire safety there is a rollover protection. The relay opens the power when the position of the fan heater changes. This helps to avoid fires.If you need to choose a fan heater for a family with children or you want to leave it to work in an empty house or apartment, this function is necessary.

The device of a water heater - instead of a thermoelement of a pipe from heating

There are two main types of fan heaters - water and electric. There are also fuel and gas, but they are dangerous in operation and are intended more for industrial premises. Usually when they talk about this technique, they mean electric models. Water fan heaters are very uncommon in our country, although they are more efficient in terms of heating speed.

Save money with an infrared heater

Until now, many consumers are distrustful of heating devices that use infrared radiation. The reason for this is that today not all of our fellow citizens were able to get acquainted with the features of these modern household devices.

The main difference between wall and floor infrared heaters is the absence of disadvantages that are typical for other electric heaters. These devices do not waste time heating the air, infrared rays are directed exclusively at objects located in the room. This equipment also has its advantages:

• possibility of installation in any place;
• minimum power consumption;
• the minimum time required to warm up the room;
• do not dry out the air in the room;
• do not create any noise during operation;
• high fire safety.

Since modern wall-mounted infrared heaters are quite expensive, low-quality fakes are often found among them.In order not to end up in such an unpleasant situation, experts recommend that economical owners, and not only when buying, give preference to models from manufacturers with a well-known reputation.

Design features of fan heaters

Currently, a wide range of fan heaters is presented on the domestic market of heating devices. They differ from each other both in technical parameters, and in appearance and price. Very often, it is the pricing policy for people that is the decisive factor in the process of making a purchase decision. But, before making such an acquisition, buyers need to learn a little more about what a fan heater is.

This heater is able to generate hot air, so that the temperature in the room very quickly rises to the desired values. In the summer, the device performs the functions of a conventional fan, and saves residents of apartments and houses from the sweltering heat. Each fan heater consists of the following structural elements:

• built-in fan;
• heating element;

• corps.

How does a fan heater work

The fan heater is also not difficult. Here, the heat source is a hot spiral or thin metal plates.

When blown with air, it heats up and enters the volume of the room. The general principle of operation is similar to the mechanics of an oil cooler:

• when starting, the fan heater reaches its technical maximum;
• voltage supply for heating heat-producing metal parts is applied until the temperature controller fixes the average temperature in the case, set by the user;
• there is no complete cessation of energy consumption - the fan runs constantly.

But there are key differences between the two classes, which will be mentioned later. Here we note the main thing: the fan heater is strongly tied to the air flow, if it is impossible to supply the full volume for blowing, the device will turn off due to the operation of the internal protection against overheating, giving noticeably less heat to the room than stated by the manufacturer. A covered fan heater will not be able to "survive", unlike an oil cooler.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

There are many heaters - good and different. An extensive assortment is confusing, and intrusive advertising only confuses the choice. We offer videos that will help you prioritize and buy the model that is right for you.

To choose, you need to clearly understand what exactly you expect from the device. The video will help you decide on the parameters:

The efficiency of household appliances is of fundamental importance. How to choose the most effective model is described below:

Honest reviews from real users always matter:

Technology sometimes breaks down. We offer instructions for servicing the fan heater:

Repair video instruction do-it-yourself convector:

If you have already decided what is better to buy - a fan or a convector, pay attention to some of the nuances. Any heater must be compact, economical, have an overheating protection system

Take a closer look at models with air ionizers, remote controls. These are very convenient additional functions that will help make heating not only efficient, but also convenient.

Have you already chosen the type of heater that is best for you? Or are you still in doubt and want to clarify a certain point? Ask your questions below - our expert will try to help you.