space heater

All space heaters transfer heat to their environment via some combination of the three fundamental modes of heat transfer: convection, radiation, and conduction. Typically heaters are designed with either convection or radiation as the sole dominant mode.

{{Main|Convection heater}}

Convective space heaters utilize convection to transfer heat from the power source to a space. These heaters typically either rely on natural or forced convection. Natural convection is a phenomenon where temperature variations in an environment generate fluid flow.

Forced convection heaters utilize a device like a fan to generate air flow and spread heat at a fast pace. Sometimes called "fan heaters," these are often cheap but lack in efficiency and versatility.{{Cite news |last=Tedeschi |first=Bob |date=2015-02-25 |title=Space Heater Reviews |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/26/garden/space-heater-reviews.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227075501/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/26/garden/space-heater-reviews.html |archivedate=February 27, 2015 |access-date=2018-01-16 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

{{Main|Infrared heater}}

Radiant space heaters transfer heat directly to bodies in front of them using thermal radiation. Thermal radiation is a process by which objects at a high temperature emit heat in the form of electromagnetic waves. These heaters are often designed such that the frequency of the emitted waves are in the infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The materials used in radiant heaters can vary. Halogen heaters have tungsten filaments in sealed quartz envelopes, mounted in front of a metal reflector in a plastic case. They operate at a higher temperature than nichrome-wire heaters but not as high as incandescent light bulbs, radiating primarily in the infrared spectrum. They convert up to 86 percent of their input power to radiant energy, losing the remainder to conductive and convective heat.2008 ASHRAE Handbook – Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning Systems and Equipment (I-P Edition) American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc., 2008, Electronic {{ISBN|978-1-60119-795-5}}, table 2 page 15.3

File:Oil Heater 5293.jpg and radiation{{cite web |author=QBIC Heating |title=What Are Oil-Filled Radiators? |url=https://www.qbicheating.co.uk/blog/what-are-oil-filled-radiators.html |access-date=2023-08-24}}]]Oil heaters transfer heat by convection and radiation. They can silently heat larger rooms, but take longer to heat up. Like infrared models, they lack a fan, but circulate heat according to a room's air patterns, which is why it may take longer for a user to discern a difference in temperature. By the mid-2010s, some higher-end models included more precise controls.

The power source used in a radiant heater depends on the resources that are available. Most space heaters are either powered by electricity or combustion.

{{Main|Electric heating}}

Electric space heaters convert electricity into heat through the process of Joule heating. The main component of these heaters is called the heating element. Heating elements come in many different geometries and styles and can be used in either convective or radiant space heaters.

Combustion space heaters convert chemical energy into heat through combustion of a fuel. These heaters often do not require electricity to function and can therefore be used off-the-grid. File:Heizstrahler2.JPG electric infrared radiant heater]]

File:Space heater.jpg quartz space heater uses quartz tubing for infrared heating]]

Fire, burns, and carbon monoxide poisoning are the main risks of space heaters. About 25,000 fires are caused by space heaters in the United States each year, resulting in about 300 deaths. Roughly 6,000 hospital emergency department visits annually in the US are caused by space heaters, mainly from burns.{{cite web| title= Portable Heaters |url=https://energy.gov/energysaver/portable-heaters | work= United States Department of Energy |access-date=2017-10-19}}

{{anchor|Safe operation}}

Improper use can increase the risk of fire and burns. Safe operation includes:{{cite web |title=Why Space Heaters Need Their Space |url=https://www.consumerreports.org/space-heaters/space-heater-safety-tips/ |work=Consumer Reports |access-date=2017-10-19}}{{cite web |title=Space heaters involved in 79 percent of fatal home heating fires |url=http://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/News-and-media/Press-Room/News-releases/2010/Space-heaters-involved-in-79-percent-of-fatal-home-heating-fires |work=National Fire Protection Agency |date=2019-02-11 |access-date=2017-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226124228/http://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/News-and-media/Press-Room/News-releases/2010/Space-heaters-involved-in-79-percent-of-fatal-home-heating-fires |archive-date=2019-02-26}}

• Plugging space heaters directly into a wall outlet and not an extension cord (except for heavy duty extension cords (14-gauge wire or larger) or relocatable power tap, as they can overheat and cause fires.
• Inspecting plugs and cords periodically for cracks or damage, and replacing them if needed.
• Keeping flammable materials, such as paper, plastics, curtains, furniture, and bedding, at least 3 feet (0.91 m) away from the heater.
• Turning off the heater when the last adult leaves the room or goes to sleep and keeping children and pets three feet away from the heater.
• Placing heaters on a flat, hard, nonflammable surface.
• Avoiding the use of heaters near flammable materials such as paint or gasoline.
• Installing smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors nearby.

The risk of fire (and burns) is sometimes less with oil-filled heaters than those with fans,{{cite web |title=Residential Energy Efficiency Space Heaters |url=http://www.dnr.mo.gov/energy/residential/spaceheaters.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040128025521/http://www.dnr.mo.gov/energy/residential/spaceheaters.htm |archive-date=2004-01-28 |access-date=2015-03-07 |work=Missouri Department of Natural Resources}}{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MvtUgEZ2rnsC |title=New Fix-it-yourself Manual |publisher=The Reader's Digest Association |year=2009 |isbn=978-0895778710 |location=Pleasantville, NY}} but some fan-assisted heaters have a lower risk of fire (and burns) than other oil-filled heaters.{{cite web |title=Space Heater Ratings |url=https://www.consumerreports.org/products/space-heater/ratings-overview/ |access-date=2017-10-19 |work=Consumer Reports}}

{{anchor|Safety features}}

No one type of heater is safer than any other type. The risk of fire and burns can vary, depending on model and manufacturer.

In the United States, Underwriters Laboratories' UL 1278{{cite web |title=UL 1278, Standard for Movable and Wall- or Ceiling-Hung Electric Room Heaters |url=http://ulstandardsinfonet.ul.com/scopes/scopes.asp?fn=1278.html |access-date=2011-10-29 |author=Underwriters Laboratories |date=2000-06-21}} (for portable electric space heaters) and UL 1042{{cite web |title=UL 1042, Electric Baseboard Heating Equipment|url=http://ulstandardsinfonet.ul.com/scopes/scopes.asp?fn=1042.html |access-date=2011-10-29 |author=Underwriters Laboratories |date= 2009-08-31}} standards (for portable and fixed baseboard electric heaters) certify heater safety. Although the General Services Administration had Specification W-H-193{{cite web |title=W-H-193D, Heater, Space, Electric (Portable) |url= https://assist.daps.dla.mil/quicksearch/basic_profile.cfm?ident_number=49036|access-date=2011-10-29|author=General Services Administration|date=1977-09-13}} for electric space heaters, it was replaced in 1995 by the UL standards. Additional information on portable-heater safety may be found at the Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency website.{{cite web|title=Portable Heaters|url=http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12600|access-date=2011-10-29|author=Department of Energy|date=2011-02-09}}

New York City law regulates the safety of space heaters. Space heaters for sale in the city must have a thermostat to control temperature, an automatic shut-off feature if the heater tips over or overheats, and must be certified and labeled by a nationally approved organization or laboratory.{{cite web|url=https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-03515#:~:text=In%20New%20York%20City%2C%20it,heater%20tips%20over%20or%20overheats |title=Electric Space Heater Sale Complaint |publisher=NYC 311 |accessdate=2023-09-24}}

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has evaluated a number of space heaters, but none have received its Energy Star label.{{cite web |title=Space Heaters |url=http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_spaceheaters |access-date= 2011-10-29 |author=Environmental Protection Agency}}

• Central heating
• District heating
• Electric heating
• Radiator
• Solar combisystem

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• {{Commons category inline|Space heaters}}

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Category:Residential heating appliances