How to choose a fan heater: what parameters to focus on when choosing equipment

The best option for quickly heating cold rooms in the off-season is to use fan heaters. The simple design and low cost of these devices made them mega-popular among citizens.But choosing the right one is not so easy - it’s easy to get confused in the huge assortment from different manufacturers.

We will help you figure out how to choose a fan heater for heating, for which we will study the options for their design and features of use in various conditions.

We will also present the main criteria that influence the choice of device and give practical recommendations to future buyers.

Classification of heaters with a fan

Fan heaters are classified according to installation method, scope of application and heating element. Based on the type of regulation, they can be divided into remote and mechanical.

Fan heaters with a remote control are more expensive, but you can control their operation without getting up from your seat or removing a warm blanket.

Next, the features of devices will be analyzed in the context of their classification.

By area of ​​application

According to the scope of application, fan heaters are divided into:

• industrial;
• household

Industrial models, unlike household ones, are designed for round-the-clock use without compromising durability.

When choosing a home fan heater, you need to plan its location based on the proximity of the electrical outlet. Long wires located on the floor will not add security to the room

The power of each category also differs due to the capabilities of the home electrical networks.

Automation on apartment electricity meters is triggered already at long-term loads of 3.5-4 kW, so the power of household fan heaters rarely exceeds 2.5 kW.

Powerful industrial fan heaters often require separate wiring and are also equipped with special switches designed for high current values

Heaters for industrial use are not limited in power consumption and usually have the ability to connect to a 380 V network.

High-performance room heating systems are sometimes called heat guns.

By the nature of the installation

Based on the installation method, fan heaters are classified into the following types: stationary and mobile.

Stationary ones, in turn, are divided into:

• floor;
• wall;
• ceiling;
• combined.

Mobile devices can be installed anywhere in the room and even hung on hooks. These include tabletop heating systems.

Mobile fan heaters are compact, lightweight, and their power is usually limited to 2-2.5 kW.

Floor-standing fan heaters often have the form of a vertical column. Compared to mobile devices, they produce less noise and are more productive.

Some floor-standing models have a movable rotating body that allows you to direct the flow of warm air in several directions. In summer they can be used as simple fans.

Wall-mounted fan heaters resemble in appearance the internal unit of an air conditioner, but they supply air flow downwards rather than to the side. They are often used as a thermal curtain over the entrance doors to a room. Wall-mounted models are controlled using a control panel and mechanically.

Thermal curtains are practically not installed in residential premises. Their installation is relevant above the entrances to high-traffic stores

Ceiling fan heaters direct flows of warm air in all directions simultaneously, therefore they are recommended for heating large rooms with high walls.

Stationary fan heaters are relevant in rooms with a constant need for heating. And if you need heat for a couple of weeks or just to warm your feet, then the mobile option is the best choice.

By heating element

The heating element in the fan heater can be like this:

• heating element;
• spiral;
• ceramic heater;
• water heat exchanger.

Devices with a water heat exchanger are usually hung on the walls and integrated into the space heating system.Their fan serves to speed up air circulation in the room when quick heating is needed.

The nichrome wire spiral is the oldest and cheapest heating element, which has been used for more than 100 years. Its surface heats up to 800 °C, which leads to the burning of dust contained in the air and the appearance of a slight burning smell.

Burnout of the spiral can lead to fire of the device, therefore this type of fan heaters is the most fire hazardous.

Heating element heaters have the form of a tube that contains nichrome wire inside and is filled with a heat-conducting substance. Its surface temperature rarely exceeds 450 °C, so dust does not burn upon contact with the tube.

This makes the heating element more comfortable and safe compared to a spiral; no odors arise during its operation. The cost of fan heaters with heating elements is slightly higher than with spiral heaters.

Ceramic heaters have radiator grilles made of semiconductor material, the surface of which is made of heat-resistant glass ceramics.These products are obtained by spraying powder onto a metal frame, followed by sintering in an oven.

The surface temperature of ceramic heaters does not exceed 100-150 °C, and high heat transfer is ensured due to the large area of ​​​​air contact with the hot coating. These heaters are safe to use, but require regular manual cleaning and are more expensive.

Design and principle of operation

A fan heater, by definition, must generate heat that is distributed throughout the room by a fan.

Therefore, any such device consists of three mandatory components:

1. Frame.
2. A heating element.
3. Fan.

The body of budget models is made of cheap plastic, which can become deformed and even melt during long-term use. It is advisable to purchase fan heaters with a metal shell, which can limit fire if the internal elements overheat.

There must be sufficient space at the back of the heater for room air to flow freely into the air intakes, which is why it is so important to install it correctly

The fan can have different power. The higher it is, the faster air is blown through the heating element, reducing its surface temperature. The speed of rotation of the impeller is often changed using a control knob.

Fans can be of two types:

• axial (blade);
• tangential.

Axial fans have 3-8 blades of the usual type, which are made of plastic or metal. Such impellers are installed on portable models. Axial fans are noisy, but easy to maintain. They need to be periodically lubricated with machine oil.

Axial impellers are good because they practically do not require periodic cleaning, but their motor is located in the path of hot air, so it often fails

Tangential fans have the form of a cylinder with 20-30 blades in the form of longitudinal strips. They are located mainly in wall-mounted and vertical models.

Cylindrical design ensures quiet operation and high performance. The disadvantage of tangential fans is the need for periodic cleaning.

Horizontally located tangential fans must have bearings, otherwise after 1-2 years they will begin to vibrate and make noise

Heating elements are located in front of the impellers, which allows them to be cooled evenly. The rear position of the fan also helps to capture more air.

In addition to the main components, heaters may have additional equipment that expands their functionality.

Criteria for choosing a fan heater

Choosing a fan heater is not an easy task. The range of products is large, and prices for similar models can differ significantly.

Next, we will consider what characteristics of a heater to pay attention to when purchasing in order to choose the most useful model and not overpay for unnecessary functions.

The main factors that determine the choice of fan heater are:

• power consumption;
• type of heating element;
• availability of additional functions;
• operating modes.

The influence of each of the listed factors on the choice of heater is worth considering in more detail.

Criterion #1 - device power consumption

Only 10-12% of fan heaters offered on the market have a power of less than 2 kW, but they also have their buyers.

It is recommended to purchase heaters with a power of 1-1.5 kW in the following cases:

1. The house has old aluminum wiring that can catch fire under high loads.
2. The simultaneous inclusion of 2-3 fan heaters in one room or apartment is required.
3. The size of the heated room does not exceed 10 sq.m.
4. The device will be used for additional heating with the existing heating system.

The minimum power of the fan heater is calculated based on the norm of 1 kW per 25 cubic meters. premises.

It must be remembered that conventional sockets are designed for a maximum current of 16A, which corresponds to an equipment power of 3.5 kW. Therefore, it is impossible to use heaters with a consumption of more than 3 kW at home for a long time.

Criterion #2 - type of heating element

The most common are fan heaters with heating elements in the form of heating elements, spirals and ceramic grilles. Budget heater models are equipped with a nichrome spiral.

You can choose such a heater in the following cases:

1. There is no financial opportunity to buy a more expensive model.
2. The device will be constantly in view.
3. The heater will not be used 24/7.
4. Fan noise is not important.

Cheap fan heaters with a nichrome spiral are quite fire hazardous, so you should buy them only under the listed conditions.

The optimal heater option is a device with a ceramic heating element.

They are 20-50% more expensive than spiral ones, but have a number of advantages:

1. They have high fire safety.
2. Can be used around the clock.
3. Durable.
4. They do not burn airborne dust.

Fan heaters with a heating element heater are in practicality between spiral and ceramic ones.You can choose them if they have good additional functionality and an affordable price.

Criterion #3 - fan and heater operating modes

The number of operating modes of a fan heater directly affects its service life and efficiency.

Typically, heaters have three schemes for regulating their operation:

• changing the fan speed;
• temperature control of the heating element;
• automatic maintenance of the set temperature in the room by periodically turning the device on and off.

Changing these parameters can occur by discrete or smooth movement of the adjustment knob. More precise settings allow you to create the desired temperature in the room without wasting extra energy.

To change the fan rotation speed, you can use a special device - a regulator, the design of which and the connection rules we reviewed here. The regulator can also be used in assembling a homemade heating device.

The power regulation mechanism on budget devices is identical, so if it breaks, the part can be replaced at any service center

Some fan heater models have a built-in timer that allows you to heat the room immediately before a person arrives.

Criterion #4 - additional functionality of devices

The basic functionality of fan heaters usually involves the presence of knobs for regulating the power of the heating element and the speed of rotation of the impeller. But manufacturers equip heaters with other devices so that their products have advantages over competitors.

The presence of additional functions in a fan heater is an undeniable advantage, therefore, within the existing budget, it is recommended to buy a heater with the maximum number of them.But first you need to assess the real need for additional equipment.

Such additional equipment includes:

1. A rotating mechanism allows you to direct warm air in different directions.
2. Low noise bearings.
3. Protection sensors that turn off the device when it overturns or overheats. They are relevant for families with small children and pets.
4. Thermostat.
5. Splash-proof housing.
6. Humidifier.
7. Ionizer.
8. Remote Control
9. Air filters.

The cold mode is also actively used (without turning on the heating element).

As for such a function as ionization, experts recommend purchasing a separate device for this purpose, designed to perform the ionization process. Arguing that special devices designed to ionize air do a better job of this task.

We have provided recommendations for choosing a household ionizer In this article.

It is necessary to choose fan heaters on which the electronic board is located at a distance from the heating element, otherwise there is no hope for its durability

Each additional equipment adds a certain amount to the cost of the fan heater, so the functionality of the heater is limited only by the planned purchase budget.

Do you doubt the advisability of purchasing this particular type of heating device? We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the material in which we have provided detailed comparison of fan heater and convector.

Popular manufacturers of fan heaters

To protect yourself from purchasing a low-quality fan heater, it is advisable to purchase products from trusted manufacturers who are concerned about their image.

Below is a list of the most famous brands of fan heaters that have proven themselves well among consumers:

1. Calore. The company has floor and tabletop models with compact design and good performance. They are equipped with overheating protection, so they are safe to use.
2. Ballu. The heaters of this company are mainly represented by small but powerful models, which are equipped with power control knobs.
3. Electrolux. The company's fan heaters are famous for their unusual design. The housings of the devices are made of environmentally friendly, heat-resistant materials that provide additional protection.
4. Timberk. The company produces fan heaters with spiral and ceramic heaters. Most models come with additional features. Wall mounted options available.
5. Polaris. Heaters are available in wall-mounted, floor-mounted and mobile models. The advantages are a wide range and varied designs.
6. Stadler Form. A special feature of this company is the production of heaters of rectangular and perfectly round shapes. The original design is combined with high-quality ceramic heaters.
7. Mystery. This company offers many inexpensive vertical floor-standing models equipped with timers and thermostats.

Some companies release up to 10 new modifications per year.

Designer fan heaters are rarely sold in chain stores of household appliances due to their high price, so it is better to buy them on the manufacturers’ websites

The list of worthy companies is not limited to the proposed options and is constantly updated with new manufacturers of quality products.

Does the cost of a fan heater from a well-known manufacturer seem too high to you? To heat a garage or other utility room, you can make a homemade heater based on a fan, similar to a heat gun. To assemble devices, you can use scrap materials.

You will find detailed instructions for making popular homemade products in the following articles:

• How to make a fan heater with your own hands: instructions for making a homemade device
• Do-it-yourself heat gun: manufacturing options for different types of fuel
• Do-it-yourself electric heat gun: pros and cons of homemade products + assembly guide
• Garage Heaters: Evidence-Based Tips for Choosing the Best Heater

Recommendations for using the device

Before purchasing a fan heater, you should familiarize yourself with the operating tips for fan heaters.

A list of useful knowledge is given below.

1. If you need to warm your feet in the office, a cheap 1-1.5 kW heater with a spiral heater is suitable.
2. Heaters for permanent use must be equipped with an automatic shutdown in case of overheating or overturning. It is also desirable to have a thermostat.
3. To heat several rooms, a fan heater is needed in each room.
4. Do not place the device on blankets, pillows or other surfaces that would prevent it from cooling.
5. Conventional fan heaters are prohibited from being used in shower rooms and rooms with high humidity.
6. Do not direct warm air onto plastic interior items.

Following these recommendations will save money, maintain equipment functionality and prevent possible accidents.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The offered videos present comparative reviews of fan heaters from their sellers. They will show the operation of heaters using real examples and will allow you to evaluate their appearance in a home environment.

Stadler Form range of designer heaters:

Operating features of compact fan heaters:

Overview of various air heaters:

Choosing a fan heater is not an easy task, especially when buying a device in the middle and premium price category. If you give preference to less expensive models with wide functionality, you may stumble upon their low quality.

Following the suggested tips will help you figure out which type of fan heater is best to purchase for specific tasks without wasting your money.

Do you use a fan heater for heating? Tell us what model you purchased and what parameters were important to you when purchasing? Add a photo of your fan heater, write your recommendations in the comments block - your experience will be useful to people who are now choosing a fan heater for their home.