What is better to choose and buy: infrared or oil heater

As the cold weather sets in before the off-season and the central heating remains inactive, many people in our country face a common predicament: which type of heater is more suitable for their living room, infrared or oil? In order to find an answer to this question, it is necessary to thoroughly consider the advantages and disadvantages of each option, which we will carefully analyze in this article.

Oil heater – advantages and disadvantages

Recently, oil heaters have gained significant popularity among individuals for heating living spaces. The reasons behind this surge in popularity are not surprising, as these devices offer a variety of advantages which include safety, reliability, and the ability to operate at any time of the day.

• One of the major advantages of oil heaters is their high level of fire and operational safety. This is achieved through the design’s tightness and a relatively low surface heating temperature (60°C).
• Additionally, oil heaters offer a sufficiently high level of efficiency, which falls in the range of 80-85%.
• Another advantage of oil heaters stems from the high heat capacity of the heat transfer medium. Even after being turned off, the device continues to emit heat into the room for a substantial amount of time.
• The absence of moving components and mechanisms allows oil heaters to operate silently.
• The device operates automatically. The device should be connected to a power source and the desired temperature should be set on the thermostat. After that, the oil radiator will function independently within the specified temperature range.
• Longevity of operation. The simplicity of the design and the lack of maintenance requirements ensure a relatively long lifespan of the device.
• Portability. The device is easy to move from one room to another thanks to the wheels.
• No unpleasant odors.
• Affordability and cost-effectiveness.

Furthermore, there is no need for permits to install such devices. All that needs to be done is to properly install the device in the desired location and connect it to the household power supply.

Let me now address the downsides of the issue.

• Oil heaters-radiators require a significant amount of time to reach their maximum heating capacity. Specifically, it takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes for the device to fully heat up. This issue can be resolved by purchasing a model with an integrated fan, which facilitates faster circulation of warm air throughout the room.
• These devices have a considerable weight, which is easily explained by their design.
• Oil radiator heaters are relatively inefficient in terms of electricity consumption.

In order to determine whether an oil radiator or an infrared radiator is the better choice for heating, it is necessary to consider all the pros and cons of these devices. In addition to being cost-effective, infrared heating technology offers a plethora of other advantages:

• Rapid heating of the room due to a large surface area of heat transfer, which includes enclosing structures and interior objects.
• Heating a specific area of the room within the radiation zone is a possibility offered by infrared heaters.
• No moving elements or mechanisms are involved in the technology of infrared heaters, ensuring noiseless operation.
• Installation and operation of infrared heaters are easy.
• Infrared heaters are lightweight and compact in size.
• Cost-effectiveness is a notable benefit of using infrared heaters.
• With an average efficiency of 90%, infrared heaters offer high performance.

Infrared heaters are extensively used for heating various spaces such as apartments, summer houses, private and country houses, warehouses, and industrial premises. However, they do come with a drawback – high cost.

An extensive selection of climatic equipment models is available in the domestic market, including a free-standing version. Despite its substantial weight, this type of heater is highly mobile thanks to the addition of wheels for easy movement. Depending on the intended use, consumers have several options to choose from:

• wall-mounted;
• tabletop;
• specifically designed for children’s beds.

The power of oil heaters can range from 1 to 2.5 kW. With a maximum power output, these devices are capable of efficiently heating a room with an area of up to 25 m2 (1 kW per 10 m2 of space).

To save on energy costs, modern models are equipped with timers, allowing users to program the device to turn on at a specific time.

IR heater

When comparing a modern infrared heater to a traditional oil heater, it is important to consider their composition and how infrared heating devices function.

The conventional design of an infrared heater includes a metal casing and an aluminum reflector, which houses the heating element. There are four types of heating elements commonly used:

• halogen lamp;
• carbon filament heater;
• ceramic radiator;
• tubular element.

Residential spaces are typically heated using IR heaters equipped with a carbon or tubular heating element.

The functioning principle of infrared heating devices is straightforward: the radiations generated by the radiator travel through the air without altering its temperature. When these infrared rays come into contact with objects, they get absorbed, and in turn, heat up the surface of the object. Subsequently, the objects themselves begin to retain heat and warm up the surrounding air. The thermostat is responsible for regulating the radiation intensity and maintaining the desired temperature of the heating element. Many contemporary models are furnished with a thermostat that has an automatic feature to sustain the desired warmth efficiently.

Comparing technologies

The cost of the device is always a primary concern for consumers. When comparing oil heaters-radiators and infrared heating devices, the prices are fairly similar. However, for around three thousand rubles, one can purchase a powerful and functional oil radiator that can heat a 20 m2 room or a carbon infrared heater with a lifespan of about 2 years and minimal functionality, suitable for heating an area of up to 12 m2.

Considering the cost-functionality-efficiency ratio, the oil heater comes out on top.

The second factor to consider is power consumption. Oil radiators and infrared heaters require different amounts of power to heat the same rooms. Infrared heaters, in comparison, consume 30-50% less electricity than their oil-based counterparts.

In terms of energy efficiency, infrared heating devices are the winners.

Third – the issue of safety. Infrared (IR) models have the potential to ignite objects within a 0.5-meter range from the heater. Carbon and halogen radiators, on the other hand, can be instantly damaged when exposed to moisture. The oil radiator, on the other hand, is a safer option. Its surface temperature rarely exceeds 90 degrees Celsius, ensuring that it cannot ignite interior items. Furthermore, this type of radiator is not affected by water or limited air circulation. If it overheats, the built-in security system will automatically cut off the power supply as a protective measure.

Conclusion 3: In terms of safety, radiators are a better choice compared to infrared heaters.

Fourth, let’s consider the speed of heating. An oil heater typically takes around 30 minutes to reach its maximum capacity. Infrared models, on the other hand, start heating objects and surfaces immediately after being turned on.

New conclusion: Infrared heating appliances have the advantage of heating the room at a faster rate compared to other devices.

Considering the fundamental aspects, both types of devices meet the criteria for effectively generating and sustaining the desired temperature. Therefore, the choice between a budget-friendly oil heater or a more expensive infrared heater is solely determined by factors such as the room’s characteristics and the buyer’s preferences.

A few tips on choosing a heater for the house

1. Determine the device’s location, as it will impact its performance and, to a large extent, its heating efficiency. Oil models are large and bulky, while infrared heaters are sensitive to falls and require specific installation methods. Based on this, experts recommend considering wall-mounted models for optimal performance.
2. The device’s efficiency is largely determined by its power. To accurately select an oil radiator, it is recommended to use the following guideline: 1 kW per 10 m2 of area. For calculating the required power of an infrared heater, the following algorithm should be utilized: 0.5 kW per 10 m2 of heated area.
3. The control system of the device can be either mechanical or electronic. Mechanical models are cheaper but come with several drawbacks, including rapid wear and tear, limited functionality, and a higher error rate. On the other hand, electronic control models are more expensive but do not suffer from these disadvantages and offer additional features to the user.
4. The surface of oil radiators can reach high temperatures. For rooms with small children, it is recommended to choose protected models with a tubular frame that prevents direct contact with the radiator.
5. When selecting an infrared heater for a room with children, consider micathermic models that emit heat energy without getting hot themselves.