A halogen heater is a lightweight and portable heating device that can be plugged into an electrical source and provide warmth in an enclosed area. This type of heater is distinguished by the use of halogen elements rather than electrical coils or propane or butane conductors to provide the source of heat. Current models of the halogen heater can be used in several different environments, and are equipped with a number of safety features.
Oscillating halogen heaters are an excellent choice for distributing heat within a room. Using the same premise as the oscillating tabletop fan, the idea is to heat the air as it circulates through the oscillating halogen heater, then propel the heated air in a broad arc around the space. This is different from heaters that use blowers to discharge warm air in a direct line from the heating elements. An oscillating heater will help to spread warm air throughout the space quickly and with a higher degree of efficiency.
Halogen heaters are often a nice way to augment existing heating systems within the home. Since the heaters come in several different sizes, it is possible to purchase one that will work well for a bedroom, an enclosed Florida room, or even as an added heat source to warm feet while sitting at a desk. Heat adjustments on most units make it possible to provide as little or as much extra heat as needed.
Most halogen heaters are equipped with a casing that remains cool to the touch, as well as an automatic shut down in the event the device is accidentally tipped over. These two features make the heater an ideal source for additional heat when children or pets are in the home. With decreased chances of any occupant of the space getting burned or the device tipping over and causing a fire, a halogen heater is definitely a safe option.
The price of a halogen heater is also cost effective, when the durability of the heater is taken into consideration. While costing more than some portable radiant heaters that use standard electrical coils, a halogen heater tends to provide more years of service before replacement is necessary. Along with the sturdiness of the device, some studies indicate that halogen heaters require less electricity to produce the same level of heat. When coupled with the enhanced safety features and the energy efficient nature of the heater, the cost becomes even less of a factor.
An infrared heater is a body with a higher temperature which transfers energy to a body with a lower temperature through electromagnetic radiation. Depending on the temperature of the emitting body, the wavelength of the infrared radiation ranges from 780 nm to 1 mm. The relationship between temperature and wavelength is expressed by the Wien's displacement law. No contact or medium between the two bodies is needed for the energy transfer. A rough classification of infrared heaters is connected to wavelength bands of major emission of the energy: short wave or near infrared for the range from 780 nm to 1400 nm, these emitters are also named bright because still some visible light with glare is emitted; medium infrared for the range between 1400 nm and 3000 nm; far infrared or dark emitters for everything above 3000 nm.
nfrared heaters use either a fuel to heat an emitter, or an electrically heated filament as the emitting body. An infrared lamp will protect the filament with a heat-resistant quartz glass tube. Some heat lamps used halogen lamps. These emitters use the same materials and principle as an incandescent light bulb.
The most common filament material used for electrical infrared heaters is tungsten wire, which is coiled to provide more surface area. Low temperature alternatives for tungsten are carbon, or alloys of iron, chromium and aluminum (brand name ‘kanthal’). While carbon filaments are more fickle to produce, they heat up much quicker than a comparable medium-wave heater based on a FeCrAl filament.
Industrial infrared heaters sometimes use a gold coating on the quartz tube that reflects the infrared radiation and directs it towards the product to be heated. Consequently the infrared radiation impinging on the product is virtually doubled. Gold is used because of its oxidation resistance and very high IR reflectivity of approximately 95%.
