How to choose a quartz heater for your home

best bathroom heater

EWT Strato IR 106 S warms all surfaces (bath, walls, ceiling, floors). It is not the air that is heated, but all the objects that are in the bathroom. Therefore, there is no movement of air, no combustion of oxygen, while the level of humidity remains unchanged.

Fasteners help to easily and simply hang the structure.

This is a very convenient quartz device from a well-known manufacturer. The excellent quality of its components, increased resource, protection against overheating and high moisture protection make this device indispensable for rooms such as a bath.

Pros:

• Excellent power of 2000 watts.
• Housing with moisture protection.
• Overheat protection.
• Two year manufacturer's warranty.
• Ergonomic and concise design.

Minuses:

Small heating area.

Quartz heaters are a more modern type of heating due to the absence of direct contact between air and surrounding objects with a heating source. They are produced in two types - monolithic and with glass flasks. Both types can be used both for main heating and as an auxiliary one. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. From our rating of the best quartz heaters, you can find popular models suitable for summer cottages, bathrooms, corridors, balconies, garages and other premises.

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Appliance power and heated area

Often these concepts are interconnected, and the heated area directly depends on the power. On average, every 50 W of an infrared heater can heat 1 m2 of a room. That is, in order to choose a model suitable for your area, you must use the following formula:

W \u003d S * 0.05, where S is the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room, 0.05 is the amount of W required to warm up 1 m2.

For example, if you need to heat a room of 25 m2, then you need a device with a capacity of:

W = 25 * 0.05 = 1.25 kW

The models themselves usually indicate the power and the heated area, so just choose the right one. However, remember that this is a rather average formula, and some models may have a better or worse ratio of power / heated area.

About carbon fiber heaters for the home

Lamps with carbon fiber (carbon fiber) cores.

Infrared quartz heaters heat only objects to a depth of 15 mm, while the air is heated indirectly, absorbing heat from heated objects. The heart of such units is a lamp.It consists of a core enclosed in a transparent quartz flask. The core is in a vacuum. Types of quartz heaters emitting IR rays:

• with nichrome core;
• with a carbon fiber (carbon) core.

Carbon fiber heaters for summer cottages are much more reliable and durable than their nichrome counterparts. The difference lies only in the type of material for the heating coil, but otherwise everything is the same:

• the spiral heats up and emits infrared rays;
• IR rays reach solid objects and warm them up;
• objects accumulate heat and release it into the room.

This method may well replace ordinary water heating. We wrote about this in an article about how to design infrared heating in a house. Carbon heaters are also very convenient when you need to quickly create a comfortable environment in an unheated room. As soon as you turn on the carbon heater for the house and stand in the IR radiation zone, it immediately becomes warm. In this case, if you step aside, the effect immediately disappears.

For an experiment, you can direct the rays of the heater so that they cover only half of the body, for example, from the floor to the waist. You will feel that your legs are warm, even very warm, but your head and shoulders continue to feel the freshness of the cold air. This effect can be attributed to the disadvantages of the device.

Radiation from a carbon heater is inherently akin to sunlight, this must be taken into account. What happens if you stay under the sun for a long time without a hat? Probably sunstroke or, at best, just become ill. Approximately the same with a carbon infrared heater, if it is too close and directed at a person for a long time.

Here it is described how the piping of an electric heating boiler is performed with photo and video materials.

What heater is called quartz?

Until recently, no one heard anything about devices with this name, but today they are in demand everywhere. For a long time in the niche of heating devices there was no replenishment and, finally, we can say that a development worthy of the attention of users has appeared. So what exactly attracts these wonderful devices?

Quartz heaters have many advantages. They are always in demand and able to fit into the Smart Home concept, as they can be programmed and controlled remotely.

The market presents two types of quartz heaters to the attention of users:

• monolithic (MKTEN);
• infrared.

Let's talk about the characteristics and design of both.

Purpose and principle of operation of heaters

Household heaters are used for additional heating of apartments and houses before the onset of the heating season or in case of insufficient heat supply in winter. Modern heaters are effective in preventing transmission heat losses when heat escapes through poorly insulated surfaces - door and window blocks, walls, floors and ceilings. For corner housing, as well as apartments located on the first and last floors, this problem is the main one.

In other cases, heat losses are carried out through the duct ventilation system, when heated air is replaced by cold air.

To understand how a household heater works, it is necessary to consider the main types of devices:

• convection type.The principle of operation of the devices is based on natural air convection - the movement of heated air, which rises up and displaces cold masses down. Then the heating cycle is repeated.
• infrared type. Devices emit infrared waves that act on various surfaces and objects, accumulating heat.
• Thermal type. The principle of operation is to supply an air flow to the heating element, during the passage of which the heated air is directed into the room with the help of a fan.

Infrared heaters

Principle and features of work

An infrared type heater is a metal or plastic case, inside of which glass tubes with nichrome or tungsten spirals are placed. The housing is completely open on one side or made transparent so that infrared radiation from the spirals is transmitted into the room. The tubes are filled with an inert gas, which increases the safety of operation and protects against dust on the spirals and prolongs their service life. A mirror reflector is placed behind the tubes, directing all radiation in one direction.

Scheme of the device of an infrared heater

The operation of the electric heater is controlled by the control panel according to the following algorithm:

1. After turning on the heater, the tungsten filament heats up and begins to radiate heat, which the reflector directs towards the heated room.
2. All surfaces that receive infrared radiation from the device heat up and begin to warm the air that is next to them.
3. After the room temperature rises to a pre-set limit, the built-in thermostat turns off the heater.
4. After a slight cooling of the air (by 2-3 degrees), the thermostat turns on the device again and the cycle repeats.

Infrared heaters are absolutely safe to use.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantages of infrared devices include the following:

• rapid heating of the premises;
• uniform temperature distribution in the room along the height;
• silent operation due to the absence of moving parts;
• high environmental friendliness - do not emit harmful substances;
• do not burn oxygen in the room;
• ease of installation and operation;
• high reliability and long service life.

The disadvantages of these models include the following factors:

• prolonged exposure to a person causes discomfort;
• high energy costs;
• heating of household items causes their accelerated aging or excessive heating;
• during operation, the emitters glow red, which can cause discomfort when used at night.

The diverse design of infrared heaters makes it easy to match them to the design of the room

General information about the device

A monolithic quartz heater is an extremely simple unit. In simple words, this is a heating element that is hidden in a housing, which is a monolithic block made of a material based on quartz sand. To achieve optimal results in terms of space heating, a chromium-nickel heating element is used.This approach allowed us to solve several problems at once: firstly, a quartz monolithic slab warms up to a temperature of no more than 90-95 degrees Celsius, which does not dry the air, and secondly, dust is not burned during operation of the device, so the air in the room remains clean . The solidity of the body does not allow air to pass through, as a result of which the heating element does not oxidize and lasts longer. In principle, for these simple reasons, quartz heaters reviews are mostly positive.

Device and principle of operation

A quartz heater is an electrical appliance, one of three types of infrared emitting device, using heating elements that emit heat and invisible ultraviolet for heating, while a halogen heater uses a lamp that emits heat and white light.

Thus, these two kinds of infrared heating devices differ from each other only in the heating element. It would seem that by replacing halogen lamps with quartz ones in the case, a quartz device can be obtained from it. However, not everything is so simple, since quartz heaters are divided into types that have a common principle of operation, but are different in design and design.

Manufacturers and overview of models

At present, models of quartz heaters of not only Russian, but also European production are presented on the market of heating devices. The most popular manufacturers are:

• "Thermoquartz";
• "Exo";
• "Prometheus";
• texture;
• WarmHoff;
• Equation.

Consider the most popular models of monolithic quartz devices.

TeploplitBel

The model is produced for installation in bathrooms, as this device is not afraid of moisture. The heater allows you to heat small bathrooms and toilets without using stationary heating. This may be true not only in private houses, but also in cold corner apartments in panel houses.

The power of this quartz heater is only 0.25 kW. This is very small (two incandescent lamps consume so much), which means that the device can be left to work constantly without fear of a significant increase in electricity bills.

The advantages of the model include:

• the ability to choose a decorative panel to match the color and design of the walls in the room;
• optimal panel thickness (2.5 cm) cools down for a long time after switching off;
• reaches maximum operating temperature in 25 minutes;
• small sizes - 60x34 cm;
• works smoothly even with power surges from 207 to 250 volts;
• ideal for rooms up to 10 square meters with a ceiling height of not more than 3 meters.

The disadvantages of this model include weight - it is 11 kilograms, and the lack of a regulator for the operation of the device.

"TeplEco"

This model is also recommended by the manufacturer for installation in bathrooms. Its rated power is only 400 watts, but this is enough to heat small bathrooms and ensure a comfortable temperature there.

The quartz slab in "TeplEco" is placed in a metal frame, which is covered with powder paint. This allows you to protect the body of the product from corrosion in operating conditions with high humidity.

The advantages of the model include:

• beautiful appearance and interesting design;
• conveniently located power button on the side of the device;
• thin body - only 2.5 cm;
• continues to heat the room even after an hour and a half after disconnecting from the network;
• does not dry out the air;
• reaches operating temperature in 18-20 minutes;
• a well-insulated housing eliminates the possibility of moisture getting inside the heater;
• dimensions - 60x35 cm;
• perfect for rooms up to 18 square meters.

The model has few shortcomings. Among them:

• lack of a thermostat;
• the weight of one panel is about 12 kg, so they cannot be used for wall placement, especially on plasterboard walls.

"Heat plate improved"

It is recommended by the manufacturer as a source of heat in the corridors and spacious halls of country houses and apartments. A distinctive feature of this model is the design - the main color is replete with small black blotches that imitate natural stone. Such a device will perfectly fit into any interior. This is a great option for space heating, when it is inconvenient to pull pipes into the corridor or they spoil the appearance of the room.

"Heat plate improved" has the following advantages:

• the kit comes with a wire 1.5 meters long and a plug for connecting to the mains;
• safe when used near upholstered furniture, textiles and soft toys;
• wide range of colors;
• cools down for 2 hours, continuing to heat the room all this time;
• does not burn oxygen and does not dry the air;
• easy to install - it has only 3 fixation points;
• able to heat a room with an area of ​​​​12-15 square meters;
• consumes only 0.4 kW per hour;
• the surface layer of natural material extends the cooling time of the appliance, which makes it more economical.

The disadvantages include:

• a small manufacturer's warranty - only 2 years from the start of operation;
• must be supplemented with a foil screen at the rear wall for more efficient operation;
• no thermostat;
• the mass of the panel is 10 kilograms, so when mounted on the wall, it must be durable. Modern drywall walls simply can not withstand such a weight.

Types of infrared heaters

According to the type of heating element, IR heaters are divided into:

• Quartz. Inside the quartz tube is a tungsten filament that emits infrared waves. When heated, there may be an unpleasant smell from burning dust. The maximum heating temperature of the thread is 2000ºС. This is the simplest and most inexpensive type, called a quartz or infrared heater. If the budget is not very limited, it is better to look at a halogen or carbon heater.
• Halogen. This type of heater has a halogen lamp, inside which is a heating tungsten filament surrounded by an inert gas. It contributes to the selection of IR radiation in the short wave range. In terms of the rate of heating the room, they are one step higher than quartz ones, since the thread heats up more (over 2000 degrees). By themselves, short waves have a negative effect on the human body, so this type of heater is suitable for short-term heating of the room. For example, they can be installed to heat a garage, outbuilding or porch.
• Carbon. Here, instead of a tungsten filament, there is a carbon fiber filament, which is much more durable and energy efficient. Carbon models have a lower operating temperature, but at the same time they warm up as efficiently as halogen ones.At the same time, they dry the air less and do not burn dust so much (although the smell can sometimes be felt). In terms of price / quality ratio, they are best suited for home use. We can say that carbon models are the best infrared heaters.
• Mycathermic. These devices, unlike others, generate electromagnetic radiation that heats the room. At the same time, almost all the consumed electricity is converted into infrared radiation useful for heating, therefore, in comparison with other microthermal devices, they have a higher efficiency. Also, the heating element (plate) itself practically does not heat up, therefore it does not burn dust and never causes a fire. The main disadvantage is the high price of models.

What is the best infrared heater? It all depends on the budget and purpose. If necessary for a garage or street heating, then it is better to take a halogen one. If for an apartment, then carbon fiber or, if there is money, mikathermic.

Advantages and disadvantages

Like any type of heater, such equipment has its own pros and cons.

The pluses include:

• high fire safety;
• prolonged increase in room temperature;
• energy savings;
• high strength;
• freedom of placement.

Due to the quartz plate, the heaters are very safe - they do not have an extremely high temperature on their surface that causes a fire. Water is not terrible for them either - the heating elements are protected from moisture by a stove.

Despite the relatively slow heating of the surface, the quartz slab cools very slowly.Due to this, the temperature is maintained for a very long time - it gradually gives off heat, maintaining the climate in the room.

In the living room Quartz mixtures are very durable and withstand high temperatures, moisture and other factors. The only failure of such heaters is a wiring problem. Its strength depends solely on the reliability of the manufacturer and the conditions of use.

Wall heaters are fully consistent with their name and are placed on the wall - this saves a lot of space during its use and storage. According to statistics, they are safer than outdoor ones - there is less risk that combustible materials will fall on the heated parts.

The disadvantages include:

• slow heating;
• exactingness to placement;
• great weight.

Heating a quartz plate is not the fastest process. Compared to conventional heaters, MKTEN heats up much longer, slowly raising the temperature in the room to a comfortable value.

Near the sofa

MKTENs require preliminary preparation. Most models are attached with dowels, so if you need to change its location, you have to make additional holes in the walls.

A quartz slab is comparable in mass to a concrete slab, therefore, its installation is not an easy task. This imposes certain requirements on the strength of fasteners and the wall itself.

Manufacturer comparison

Noirot heater

There are many companies that produce heating equipment:

• Ikoline. Specialization - electric heating. The range includes infrared heaters that are suitable for any season;
• Fenix. It produces low-temperature infrared devices with heating elements made of glass fibers coated with homogeneous graphite;
• Noirot.Produces convection equipment related to the premium class;
• Ballu. It produces budget models of heaters of various types;
• Frico. Specialization - the production of powerful heaters that are suitable for heating residential and non-residential premises.

There are other manufacturers on the market, domestic and foreign.

Comparing companies producing quartz heaters, it is difficult to say which is better - the equipment was produced by Nikoten or TeploEco.

Choosing "their" model, first of all, they study its technical characteristics and the conditions in which it will be used.

Mounting method

Installation of the unit depends on its design features:

• Floor. The simplest design that has legs or wheels for movement. Such a device is easy to transport and can be placed anywhere. However, they occupy a certain usable area, and there is a chance of tipping over when passing by. Also, some radiator-type units do not have a rotary adjustable design, so they can only heat objects at the level of the radiator itself.
• Wall. Convenient for installation in tight spaces. However, for installation, you will have to drill the walls and mount the fasteners (brackets). Some wall-mounted models may have a swivel design, and they can be deployed to warm up different parts of the room.
• Ceiling. For infrared heaters, this is the best option, as it allows you to cover more space. However, installation is quite difficult, and will require certain skills, tools and outside help. If it is necessary to heat large rooms (over 20 m 2), then we recommend taking ceiling systems.Therefore, in this situation, if the question arises: infrared or oil heater, which is better, then the answer is unambiguous - infrared ceiling type.