Types of Gas Heaters

Gas heaters are generally fairly simple [...]]]> Gas heaters are very similar to propane heaters in that they both run off of fuel instead of electricity. The main difference between the two is that gas heaters run off of natural gas, or methane, and propane heaters run on propane, which is derived from petroleum.

Types of Gas Heaters

Gas heaters are generally fairly simple but there are a few different varieties out there. Some of the higher end models can be somewhat complex, but any device that burns gas to produce heat qualifies as a gas heater. The simplest form of a gas heater is something that is used in many high school science classes: a Bunsen burner. It is obviously too small to be of much use in heating and is clearly not designed for large jobs, but it is nonetheless a gas heater.

The most common type of natural gas heater is a convection heater. These heaters usually operate on a fairly simple basis: the gas is directed onto a heating plate and then ignited. As the gas burns, the plate heats up, thereby giving off heat into the surrounding air. As the air heats, the principles of convection take over and the hot air circulates, bringing more cold air in to be heated. These heaters work quite efficiently and are very good at heating a room completely and evenly. The disadvantage to these heaters is that they can take a while to get going, since they rely on the natural air currents to disperse the heat.

It’s possible to speed up convection heaters significantly by adding a fan to them to force the air to circulate more quickly. These heaters are, not surprisingly, called fan heaters or forced air heaters. They speed up the heating process, but come at the cost of lowered efficiency and some operating noise from the fan.

Another sort of gas heater is called an infrared heater, or a radiant heater. These heaters emit infrared waves that travel through the air until they hit a solid object, such as a piece of furniture or a person. Once the waves hit a solid object they are converted into heat. Infrared heaters have the advantage of working very quickly, as they do not heat the air in a room, but rather directly heat the people and objects in the room. You can usually feel the heat coming from an infrared heater as soon as you turn it on.

Another advantage to infrared heaters is that the heat they supply is not affected by air currents, the way that convection heaters are. This makes infrared heaters great for heating outdoors, and a gas patio heater is a great way to keep the guests at your garden party comfortable.

The disadvantage to infrared heaters is that the heat they give off dissipates very quickly once they are turned off, since the air in the room has not been heated at all. This means that you pretty much have to run the heater non-stop to keep the room or space warm. Another downside to these heaters is that they do not heat the room evenly, like a convection heater would. People close to a infrared heater are going to be much warmer than people further away from it.

Using a Gas Heater

Most modern gas heaters generally have several things in common. They are usually fairly sizable, are vent-free (meaning no duct-work or ventilation is required for use), and are very efficient in their heating. Although some gas heaters can be moved around, most are wall heaters and are permanently attached to their spot. Even portable gas heaters are still tied to your gas supply, so it’s usually better to use electric heaters if a portable heat source is needed.

Safety is always a concern for gas heaters. Since there is an open flame, and the heating plate is at least partially exposed, it’s very easy to get burned accidentally if you aren’t careful around the heater. Children and pets would definitely need to be watched to make sure they don’t investigate the heater too closely. In addition, all flammable objects, such as newspaper, magazines, and fabric, need to be a safe distance away from the heater.

Overall, gas heaters make a great choice for heating your house or building. They will continue to run even if the power goes out, which is great for areas that have a lot of winter storms. There would be nothing worse than having your power and heat go out at the same time. You may also want to consider using a gas water heater instead of an electric water heater for this reason. Just make sure to buy a good quality heater, be aware of the safety issues, use the heater wisely, and your heating issues will be solved.