Forced Air vs Radiant Heat
Introduction
When it comes to heating large spaces like warehouses, manufacturing facilities, or commercial buildings, selecting the right heating solution is crucial for both efficiency and comfort. Two popular options are forced air unit heaters and radiant heaters. Understanding the differences between these systems can help you make an informed decision. Let’s delve right into Forced Air vs Radiant Heat!
Forced Air Unit Heaters
Forced air unit heaters are a common choice for heating large, open spaces. These heaters work by drawing in cool air, heating it through a gas-fired or electric heat exchanger, and then distributing the warm air throughout the space using a blower or fan. The FA Series and UH Series from Detroit Radiant Products are excellent examples of forced air unit heaters. Read on to find out Forced Air vs Radiant Heat!
Advantages of Forced Air Unit Heaters:
- Quick Heating: Forced air systems can rapidly increase the temperature of a space, making them ideal for environments that need to be heated quickly.
- Even Heat Distribution: The use of blowers ensures that warm air is evenly distributed throughout the space, reducing cold spots.
- Versatility: These heaters can be used in a variety of settings, including commercial, industrial, and residential applications.
- Cost-Effective Installation: Forced air unit heaters are relatively easy to install and can be a cost-effective solution for many large spaces.
Considerations for Forced Air Unit Heaters:
- Air Quality: The movement of air can stir up dust and other particulates, which may be a concern in certain environments.
- Noise: The blowers used in forced air systems can be noisy, which might be disruptive in some settings.
- Heat Loss: Warm air can escape through open doors or poorly insulated areas, reducing overall efficiency.
Radiant Heaters
Radiant heaters use infrared technology to directly heat objects and people within a space, rather than heating the air. This method of heating is similar to how the sun warms the earth. Detroit Radiant Products offers a range of radiant heaters, including the DR Series and HL3 Series. Read on to find out more about Forced Air vs Radiant Heat!
Advantages of Radiant Heaters:
- Energy Efficiency: Radiant heaters can provide significant fuel savings (20-50%) over traditional forced air systems by directly heating objects and people.
- Comfort: These heaters maintain a comfortable temperature at the floor level, where people are working, rather than heating the entire volume of air.
- Zone Heating: Infrared heaters can be zoned to maintain different comfort levels in various areas of the space.
- Reduced Heat Loss: Since radiant heaters warm objects and surfaces, they are less affected by drafts and open doors.
- Quiet Operation: Infrared heaters operate quietly and do not require blowers, which can stir up dust and create drafts.
- Minimal Maintenance: With fewer mechanical parts, radiant heaters require minimal maintenance.
Considerations for Radiant Heaters:
- Initial Cost: The upfront cost of radiant heaters can be higher than forced air systems, but the long-term energy savings often offset this.
- Installation: Proper placement and installation are crucial for maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of radiant heaters.
Types of Radiant Heaters
Low Intensity Radiant Heaters
How They Work: Low intensity infrared heaters, often referred to as tube heaters, consist of a burner control box, highly emissive radiant emitter tubes, and a polished reflector hood. The propane or natural gas is burned to heat the emitter tubes, which then radiate infrared energy.
Applications: These heaters are suitable for total area heating and are commonly used in spaces where a gentler, more evenly distributed heat is desired. They are ideal for restaurant patios, as they provide consistent warmth without creating hot spots.
Features:
- Lower surface temperatures (up to 1100°F)
- Typically vented, with the capability to use fresh air for combustion
- Mounted at various heights depending on the desired heat coverage
- Available in single-stage or two-stage models for better control of heat output
High Intensity Radiant Heaters
How They Work: High intensity infrared heaters, also known as luminous heaters or radiant ceramic heaters, burn propane or natural gas to heat a ceramic surface to high temperatures (approximately 1800°F). The ceramic surface then emits a large concentration of infrared radiation.
Applications: These heaters are designed for spot heating and perfectly provide focused, intense heat in outdoor dining areas. Users often deploy them in high air change environments and areas requiring greater clearance to combustibles.
Features:
- Higher surface temperatures (up to 1800°F)
- Typically operate unvented, requiring proper ventilation to dissipate combustion gases
- Mounted higher to ensure safety and optimal heat distribution
- Available in single-stage or two-stage models for better control of heat output
Electric Radiant Heaters
How They Work: Electric radiant heaters generate heat by running an electric current through a high-resistance element, which then emits infrared radiant energy. The heat is directed downward by reflectors to warm the objects and people below.
Applications: These heaters are versatile and can be used in various settings, including restaurant patios, decks, and indoor dining areas. They are ideal for locations where gas is impractical or unavailable.
Features:
- Instant heat with minimal warm-up time
- No need for ventilation, making them suitable for enclosed spaces
- Available in different wattages and mounting options
- Environmentally friendly, as they produce no combustion gases
Conclusion
Both forced air unit heaters and radiant heaters have their own set of advantages and considerations. The choice between the two will depend on your specific heating needs, the characteristics of the space, and your budget. Forced Air vs Radiant Heat may not have a decisive winner–they’re both winners in their respective fields.
Give us a call, email, or fill out our Project Details form so we can start working on a radiant heat solution for your project!
Phone: (888) 501-0252
Email: sales@glradiant.com
Website: www.GLRadiant.com
Also feel free to check out Detroit Radiant Products for more information on our product!