Space heater

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For the album, see Space Heater (album).

A brass space heater, circa 1912

A space heater is a device for heating an enclosed area.[1] Space heating is generally employed
to warm a small space, and is usually held in contrast with central heating, which warms many
connected spaces at once. Permanently installed space heaters may burn natural
gas, propane,fuel oil, or wood pellets; use electricity for resistance heating; or use a heat
pump that can also provide air conditioning. For portable use, electric heaters are most
appropriate because gas heating can be very dangerous without a permanent flue.
Contents
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1Types of heaters
o

1.1Convective heaters

1.2Radiative heaters

2Power sources

3Safety issues

4See also

5References

Types of heaters[edit]
Space heaters can be divided into those that transfer their heat primarily by convection, or by
radiation.

Convective heaters[edit]
In convection heaters, heating elements either warm the air directly or heat oil or another filler,
which in turn transfers heat to the air. The air then warms the objects and people in the space.
Convective heaters are suitable for providing constant, diffuse heat in well-insulated rooms. Oil
heaters warm up slowly but do not reach dangerous surface temperatures; wire-element heaters,
which may be fan assisted, produce warm air more quickly but may pose a fire hazard. [2][3] One
particular type of convective heater is thefan heater.