Alternatives to convection heating

Alternatives to convection heating

What options do you have when convection based heating is not an option?

In the UK, convection based heating is one of the most common ways to heat a room or space. This form of heating relies on heating air and circulating it in order to heat a room. A normal UK central heating system is based on the same technology.

The Romans were one of the first to invent the wet pipe system whereby hot water is passed around a property in order to heat it. Aside from the addition of radiators, not a lot has changed since then!

Examples of convection based heating

Storage heaters – these heavy heaters will release warm air over a number of hours into a room.

Fan heaters – A power assisted fan “blows” heat from a hot element at a high velocity.

Fireplaces – Fuel, such as wood or coal, is burnt, creating heat. A fire will suck in cold air and release warm air as a by-product.

Convection based heating do have some downfalls however. Warmth from a room can be easily lost if there is a draft, so for older buildings, the cost of heating will increase to make up for this.

Commonly found in properties that are not connected to mains gas are storage heaters. These bulky heaters are very expensive to run per hour, are notoriously difficult to control and have a very poor heat conversion rate (around 33%).

Hot air circulates dust and allergens around a property or room, which can aggravate those with allergies. For rooms that require a completely sterile environment, such as an operating theatre, convection based heating is out of the question.

If you’re installing a new wet pipe system in a property or replacing radiators, the cost is high. Not to mention disruptive.

And it doesn’t stop at installation. Over the course of the life of your central heating there will be maintenance issues; whether it is for the boiler or a burst pipe.

But what are the alternatives?

Infrared heating works in a radically different way to convection heating and is classed as radiant heat.

Instead of heating the air, infrared rays heat objects directly. When an infrared ray hits an object, the heat radiation is released on contact.

The sun emits infrared heat rays, which is why you can be outside on a sunny day in winter and still feel warmth on your body.

Infrared heating is much more direct than convection heating and people and objects will feel the warmth of infrared rays even when air temperatures around them are lower.

Infrared heating technology is not new and has been around for many years. But the manner in which it is delivered has been greatly improved and refined over the past couple of years and the technology is fast gaining popularity in the UK and Europe.

Is it safe?

When the word “radiation” is used many associate this with something harmful. In fact, infrared radiation is one hundred percent safe and can be used in any home or work place environment.

Far infrared heating methods

One of the most common methods of delivering infrared heating is via a heating panel. Typically, these will range in power from 160 watts to 1100 watts and when using premium materials such as carbon crystal (sometimes referred to as carbon nickel), up to 98.5% efficiency ratings can be achieved.

To find out more about our great value, high quality infrared heat panels, please do not hesitate to contact us on 0300 303 9625.