Types Of Air Cooler Operations

As mentioned, not all air coolers operate on the same basic cooling principles. There are, in fact, several different cooling methods that can be used by various air coolers to create more comfortable temperatures in the surrounding area.

Evaporative Air Coolers

An evaporative air cooler work on the principle that allowing a liquid to evaporate will, in turn, work to cool down any objects surrounding the area in contact with the evaporated liquid, including other liquid. Stemming from patents filed as early as 1906, the concept of evaporative air coolers, also known as swamp coolers or water air coolers, is still frequently in use in environments prone to very dry heat with low humidity levels. The technique was once used briefly to cool large airplanes, but was eventually disband for a more practical method. Ironically enough, one of the most innovative uses for evaporative air coolers lies in the self-cooled beverage can. Inside each can is a small cartridge that, when exposed to external air as the can is opened, creates an internal chemical reaction causing sudden evaporation. The evaporation, in turn, reacts with the surrounding liquid in the can to instantly decrease the temperature.

Other common uses for evaporative air cooler technology involve scientific uses, such as cryogenics. Large trees also use their own natural evaporative air cooling capacity to prevent overheating in warmer months. This, in turn, makes trees one f the primary examples of a naturally occurring water air cooler. Large buildings can also benefit from this types of cooling, as it can be extremely cost efficient to both operate and install. The primary requirements are a low relative humidity in the area and access to a large water supply.

Compression and Absorption Air Coolers

Using a similar method to evaporative air coolers, compression and absorption air coolers are also extremely effective at cooling surrounding areas. While evaporative air coolers work on the properties of water evaporation, compression and absorption air coolers rely on other liquids, often referred to as refrigerants, for their evaporative process. The primary characteristic of the refrigerant is an extremely low boiling point. Common refrigerants for compression air coolers include hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), also known as freon, while absorption air coolers generally rely on liquids such as ammonia.

Both compression and absorption air coolers rely on a central heat source, often being solar powered or gas powered, in order to initiate the cooling process. As this heat source causes the freon or ammonia to reach its boiling point, the liquid, in turn, pulls heat from the surrounding areas as well. Once the liquid evaporates into a gas, it is then converted back to a liquid so the process can repeat itself. In compression air coolers, an electric compressor is used to force the gas back into its liquid state by passing the gas through various mechanical components of the unit. An absorption air cooler relies on more natural process to change the gas back into a liquid, requiring no moving parts at all. Most household air conditioners rely on a form of absorption cooling to operate. Car air conditioners also tend to operate on this style of cooling, relying on freon to control temperatures within the car itself.

Types of Air Cooler Units

Full Size Air Coolers

The most common types of air coolers are those installed on buildings or homes. While larger buildings often require multiple air cooler units to effectively control the internal temperature, most standard sized homes only require a single unit. Multi-story homes, on the other hand, will often have separate small units operating on each floor. The key to selecting the best sized air cooling unit for your home is to correctly determine the correct square footage of the areas that will be cooled. Most manufacturers will then provide reference charts which can be used to decide the best sized unit for your situation.

While many people thing larger units are always better, selecting a unit designed to cool areas larger than what you have is simply a waste of energy, as they often require significantly higher amounts of power to operate. On the other hand, choosing a unit that is too small for your area may save money when purchased, but the fact that the unit is not substantial enough to cool the correct size area simply means it will most likely run non-stop, once again leading to higher electrical usage than needed.

Portable Air Coolers

For those looking to heat smaller areas, such as individual rooms, there are a number of portable air coolers on the market as well. One of the most popular choices for portable home air cooling is window units. Window units work particularly well for homes that either don't have duct lines already run or only cooling in one or two rooms, such as bedrooms. Window units are designed to fit directly into the window frame itself, supplying cool air to the inside of the room, while venting outdoors on the other side of the unit. While window units are considered portable air cooling units, there is some labor involved when moving them from one room to another, making them better suited for long term use in a single room.

When window units are not possible, due to the types of windows installed, or a more portable method is needed, there are still alternatives. A true portable air cooler is one that can be easily moved from room to room with ease. Often light enough to lift by one person, portable units are ideal for situations when multiple rooms need to be cooled, but at various times. In a small house for example, someone may have an office that needs cooling during the day, the kitchen or dining room that needs cooling in the evening, and a bedroom that needs cooling in the evening. A portable air cooler not only provides the necessary cooling needed, it can also be taken from room to room, as needed, with little effort. The only requirement is that the room the portable air cooler has a window, as portable units require the same ventilation needs as window units do.

Both window air coolers and portable indoor air coolers function in a similar manner to full size units with regards to size. In order to correctly choose the best size unit for your needs, you must accurately calcuate the square footage of the room the device will be used in.

For outdoor air cooling, many people don't think they have any options to choose from. One of the most popular choices for outdoor cooling, however, works on the very basic building blocks of air and water. Often referred to as misting fan or misting units, these out door devices work on the same basic principle as an oscillating fan, commonly used for portable cooling needs. What manufacturers have done, however, is improve the overall efficiency of oscillating fan units by incorporating a mister device into the fan itself. When connected to a water supply, misting fans release a fine spray of water into the air which is then, in turn, pushed forward by the fan itself. The mist is often fine enough to not damage or soak surrounding objects or people, but effective enough to create a substantially more significant cooling effect than a simple oscillating fan by itself. In most designs, the fan can be run either with or without the misting unit in operation, offering an added level of versatility. There are also larger units that can be used as permanent installations, designed primarily for warehouses, sporting arenas, and other large scale areas where a cooling mechanism is required.

For the extreme in portable air coolers, there are also a wide range of personal air coolers on the market. While many people view these as simply novelty designs, many styles offered are actually quite effective devices. The most common type of personal air cooler works on the same basic principle of the larger misting fan. Often nothing more than a small battery operated fan mounted onto a standard spray bottle, these personal air coolers hang around the neck and allows consumers three methods of operation. They can either choose to run just the fan component, creating a light breeze directed primarily at the face, or simply use the spray bottle for quick spritzes to cool off. Ideally, however, the fan and sprayer work best when used in conjunction by spraying the water at regular intervals so it can pass through the fan device creating a cooling mist.

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Fireplace Locations

When planning for a new fireplace, location is everything. It is also the first choice you will need to make before beginning to look at various styles available. The two major categories that fireplaces fall into are, of course, indoor and outdoor.

If you are interested in a fireplace solely for heating purposes, chances are an indoor fireplace would be your best bet. Indoor fireplaces are almost always fixed installations, typically located in one of the larger rooms of the house, most often a master bedroom or living room. Indoor fireplaces are also designed to provide a pleasing visual impact as well, often adding a more inviting atmosphere to the room and the house in general. Indoor fireplaces come in a wide range of styles and can be found in anything from traditional fireplaces designs to contemporary fireplace designs.

Outdoor fireplace designs, on the other hand, are generally designed strictly for social gatherings. While they are still often very beautiful in design, they do tend to prize function over form. While many outdoor units are fixed installs, similar to indoor designs, there are several types of outdoor fireplace designs that can be considered portable in the sense that, depending on their size, can be easily moved form one area to another to accommodate the particular heating needs for the day. This portability is primarily due to the fact that most outdoor fireplace designs don't necessarily require the same venting setup that indoor fireplaces must often rely on.

Fireplace Designs

Once you have determined what type of fireplace you are interested in, outdoor or indoor, it's time to start taking a look at the various designs offered within each category. Designs should be selected based on desired placement and intended use above all else. While they may not seem connected, these choices can also play a large part in whether your new unit will fall into a contemporary fireplace design, a traditional design, or something altogether in a class by itself.

Outdoor Fireplace Design

One of the more traditional reasons people enjoyed outdoor fireplaces was because they offered a means of outdoor cooking. They were much more visually appealing than a standard grill, while also offering a greater opportunity for social gatherings. Unlike a grill, an outdoor fireplace was able to heat the people surrounding it as easily as it was heating the food placed above or in it.

The two basic categories of outdoor fireplaces are fixed and portable. Fixed fireplaces are generally built into an exterior wall or as a freestanding unit. Those built into a wall were designed to offer forward facing access and were often somewhat wider in nature than a traditional fireplace, offering a larger heating area in front. These were also generally built to resemble old fashioned hearth, once common as an indoor cooking and heating fixture.

Freestanding units, on the other hand, could either be portable or fixed in their design. Fixed units were often large in stature and designed to allow people to gather around the fire on multiple sides. They are typically built in either a square design, offering four cutout areas on each facing for access to the fire, or in a rounder shape, containing supports at various intervals to provide multiple points of access while still being able to support the upper portion of the structure. Some outdoor units were also constructed to resemble large fire pits, containing no upper portion at all and designed more for gathering purposes than cooking.

Portable outdoor units are often referred to as fire pits on the market. This can be anything from small metal boxes, to large clay fire pits. They can also be built into the center of outdoor tables, ideal for social gatherings with family and friends around a conveniently placed fireplace. While most fire pits can be moved to accommodate any outdoors location, some are more restricted depending on the power source they are utilizing.

Indoor Fireplace Design

Like outdoor fireplace units, indoor designs are also most common in fixed wall installations. The most common styles of fireplace, in fact, are those built into exterior walls of the house, located in master bedrooms or living rooms as mentioned earlier. The fireplaces can be small and quaint, or extremely bold and of substantial size. This is typically by the size of the room. In fact, many fireplace manufacturers and builders can recommend the ideal size fireplace based solely on the measurements and layout of the room it is being installed in. Corner fireplaces installations are also an option, often recommended for more unusual room layouts.

For a more contemporary fireplace design, some units are installed in thick interior walls, often providing access to both rooms on either side of the wall. This style is ideal for homes that have two social oriented rooms that share a single wall. Keep in mind, however, that these types of fireplaces often require major construction modifications and can be costly to install.

Another indoor fireplace choice, ideal for open floor plans, is a freestanding unit similar to those found in outdoor design. These designs are often round or square in shape, identical to their outdoor counterparts, while possessing a more refined visual appearance. Freestanding units indoors will still require ventilation access, leading to the fact that they are almost always floor to ceiling structures.

Fireplace Construction

With regards to overall visual presentation, the primary decisions lies in the materials chosen for the fireplace construction. While most fireplaces are constructed of block, their external surfaces are typically more decorative in nature. Brick fireplace designs have long been a popular choice for their ability to match nearly any décor. A brick fireplace design is also much more traditional in appearance than many other styles may be. Stone fireplace designs are also gaining in popularity, as people are beginning to rediscover that a natural stone fireplace design has to offer a room. Other materials that can be used in fireplace design include tile, able to create beautiful mosaic patterns or simply standard tile designs. Outdoor fire pits are also commonly found made of clay, preferred for its lightweight nature as well as it durability and high temperature tolerance.

Fireplace Power Sources

The final choice when it comes to choosing the ideal fireplace is what type of power source you wish your unit to run on.

Wood burning fireplaces are, of course, the most popular choice as they are also the most traditional power source for fireplaces. Wood burning units are simple to operate and only require adequate wood stores be kept for easy operation. In areas where firewood is not readily available, there are store bought logs that simulate true wood burning logs in appearance and heating capacity. Wood burning fireplaces are also the most common choice in heavily forested areas, as firewood is often free for the taking with a little manual labor. It is not uncommon for people with wood burning fireplaces to occasionally cut wood throughout the year in order to stock up for the colder months. Wood burning fireplaces do require regular cleanings and maintenance can sometimes be considered time consuming.

Gas fireplace designs are also very popular and are the power choice for homes already connected to natural gas lines. The propane gas fireplace design is also a common sight, preferred over natural gas at times because it does not require gas lines to be run through the entire house. These units, in fact can operate off portable propane tanks similar to those used for gas powered grills or portable heaters. Regardless of which type of gas being used, safety is always a primary concern as proper ventilation is of the utmost importance to avoid any ill effects from gas inhalation or exposure. Another major downside is the fact that many people feel gas fireplaces are too artificial in their overall appearance, primarily die to their lack of real wood and real flames.

The final choice for fireplace power sources is electricity. While electric fireplaces may not provide the true fireplace experience, as the flames are often simulated and the logs made of ceramic like gas designs, they are the safest to run and easiest to maintain.

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What Are Infrared Heaters?

Infrared heaters, sometimes referred to as infrared radiant heaters, operate using a similar heating method to that of our own son. Traditional heaters rely on air being pushed over a heated object and then being forced into the room, slowly pulling in cooler air as warmer air is pushed out. This convection movement slowly work to increase the overall air temperature of the room. While this heating method is effective and can work well in large areas, it is often time consuming and not recommended for outdoor use or in areas subject to drafts and external elements. In these cases, an infrared heater is the heating method of choice.

An infrared radiant heater focuses on people and objects in the room, as opposed to the overall air temperature. This method f heating is not only more efficient, it can also provide near instant results once the unit is turned on. Infrared heaters require no air movement, alleviating the drier air that often comes with traditional heaters. They also begin to work instantly, eliminating the delay often associated with traditional heaters and their convection techniques. Infrared heaters come in a variety of shapes and sizes, designed for both indoor and outdoor use and able to accommodate residential, commercial, and industrial applications.

How Do Infrared Heaters Work?

Unlike other methods of heating, infrared heaters work on a molecular scale to produce comfortable environments during colder times of the year. The light emitted from an infrared heater is designed for output on a particular wavelength. The wavelength it is sent out on reacts with molecules contained in certain objects, penetrating the surface of the object to heat the molecules within and thereby causing a temperature increase within those specific objects. While household heating is one of the common applications for infrared heaters, they can also frequently be found in kitchens and restaurants, designed to keep food warm while it is waiting to be served, or are even restricted to only being able to warm water, as in a pool or spa.

Most infrared heaters work via electrical currents. Electric infrared heaters channel their electricity though a series of coils or filaments, often contained within glass, until the heating element has reached an extremely high temperature. Some larger infrared heaters, for example, are designed to produce temperatures of over 1,000 degrees Celsius. The specific temperature the electric infrared heaters produces determines the wavelength the unit will output, therefore determining which surrounding objects the unit will have the greatest effect on. Another housing option for the coils is shown by the operations of ceramic infrared heaters. A ceramic infrared heater is not only very efficient, the actual ceramic element itself is extremely effective as a heat conductor.

What Are The Benefits Of Infrared Heaters?

As mentioned earlier, one of the major benefits of infrared heaters is the speed at which they begin to have an effect on surrounding areas. While traditional heaters can take hours to get a large room to optimal temperature, infrared heaters will begin to affect nearby objects as soon as they are powered on, often reaching peak effectiveness in just a matter of minutes, not hours. Infrared heaters are also very cost effective to operate, as well as being extremely efficient. While standard heaters are subject to energy loss from improper insulation in the room, infrared heaters lose nearly no energy effectiveness while at work, giving them a near total energy consumption to energy output ratio.

Another prime benefit of infrared heaters is their ability to be used outdoors. Unlike convection heaters, which can seriously be affected by drafts and breezes, the energy output form infrared heaters goes straight to the objects around it, not disturbed at all by airflow or weather elements. This makes infrared heaters ideal for many commercial applications, as well as outdoor residential needs.

Types Of Infrared Heaters

Infrared heaters are designed to work just as well outdoors as they are indoors. Because of this, infrared heaters are some of the most popular and versatile heaters on the market.

Indoor Infrared Heaters

The most common type of infrared heater designed for indoor use is an infrared space heater. Infrared space heaters are designed to be portable devices, ranging greatly in size but almost always designed to heat on specific room. An infrared space heater works best in rooms with somewhat open layouts, as objects directly in the path of the infrared heater tend to receive the most benefit. These objects will, in turn, emit a certain amount of heat on their own which can pass to other nearby objects, but the effectiveness of this secondary energy transfer will not be as significant.

Moving towards more commercial applications, indoor infrared heaters are also commonly seen at many restaurants. The reddish lights used to keep buffet food warm are, in fact, relying on infrared heating to do their jobs. Likewise, many establishments use infrared heating to keep large items warm for extended periods of time, such as rotisserie meats. Infrared heating is primarily preferred in these situations as it is less likely to dry the food out the way convection heating may.

Infrared heaters are also common installations in warehouses and industrial parks. Large infrared heaters can be strategically placed throughout workplaces to ensure spot heating where needed. Some warehouses will have smaller infrared heaters installed at individual workstations, allowing workers at each station to better control their own environments and select temperatures best suited to their own personal preferences. Similar units can also be purchased for use in residential garages or workshops.

Outdoor Infrared Heaters

Infrared patio heaters are typically the most common style of infrared heater found for outdoor use. These units can range in size from small table top units, to large towers, resembling steel umbrellas. An infrared patio heaters is designed to help guests stay warm during outdoor social gatherings. They are also quite common at outdoor sporting venues in areas of the nation with more inclement Winter temperatures. For commercial needs, the large tower units are also popular for outdoor events such as weddings or other parties, or outdoor catering events. The heaters allow guests to move around and socialize while still having access to strategically placed heaters that have been set up at the venue. Some outdoor dining events may also utilize small table top infrared heaters to keep guests comfortable while they are seated at their tables.

Indoor/Outdoor Infrared Heaters

In a more hybrid version of indoor and outdoor heaters, infrared heaters are also used in loading docks and other open area segments of warehouses or industrial buildings. Loading docks, in particular, will often have large infrared heaters, commonly resembling hanging overhead light fixtures, spanning the upper portion of the dock entrance itself. This not only serves to protect workers from the external environment, offering a warm and comfortable working area for those charged with loading and unloading merchandise, it also makes the process much more environmentally friendly for other individuals who may be unloading and loading the trucks as well. Smaller units can also be installed in outdoor employee break areas, creating a more comfortable area for employees to eat their lunch or just kick back and relax for a few without having to deal with inclement weather that may be present.

Another form of indoor and outdoor infrared heating comes in the form of infrared portable heaters. These can be anything from small infrared space heaters that are designed to work in either environment, to a hand held infrared portable heater designed to soothe sore or aching muscles. Professional athletes often keep these on hand for use during off times or breaks.

Infrared heaters can be purchased at any local home improvement store, as well as most heating and cooling supply chains. Infrared heaters come in a wide range of sizes, suitable for commercial, industrial, and industrial use and are extremely cost efficient and effective methods of heating. While larger units often require professional installation, smaller residential units can often be ready to go once removed from the box and plugged into the wall. Like most portable heaters, the majority of infrared space heaters will come equipped with a built in safety device that will immediately cut power to the unit if the internal sensor detects the unit has potentially fallen over. Regardless of what style of infrared heater you choose to purchase, always make sure to read and follow all directions that are included with the product. Just as it can be dangerous to over expose yourself to the sun, the use of infrared heaters comes with its own set of recommendations to ensure safe and healthy operation of the device.

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Types of Electric Garage Heaters

There are two basic types of garage heaters, classified primarily by the method they use to heat the garage itself. These are convection heaters and radiant heaters.

Convection heaters work on the basic principle that if you heat an object and then proceed to blow air through or over it, the resulting air output will be warmer than it initially was. Most of the time, this is achieved with a set of coils, often made of ceramic or similar materials. Behind the coils is a fan device that works to pull in air from behind the heater and, in turn, force it over the coils to be warmed and then forced out into the room. This method is also referred to as forced air heating.

Forced air heaters are ideal for closed in spaces and smaller garages. Since the fan is working to pull colder air in and force warmer air out, the heater unit creates a convection movement in the room, gradually achieving a stable temperature throughout the room. The larger the room is, the larger size convection heater you will need. Keep in mind, however, that forced air units are not always the best choice for larger rooms and, while they will work in a larger room, they may take a great deal of time to reach optimum temperature throughout the room. Also, they do not do as well in areas where strong drafts are present or where they are in areas primarily exposed to the elements.

Radiant heaters, on the other hand, are better designed for open area heating and can handle drafty areas with ease. This is due largely in part to the unique way radiant heaters work. Instead of forcing air over a heating element and out into the room, radiant heaters operate in a different manner. Similar to the way the sun operates, a radiant heater works by heating the objects and people in the nearby area, instead of the air itself. Since the heat is not being carried on an air current, drafts have no effect on the heating ability. Radiant heaters are also popular choices because of the fact that they provide instant heating ability, warming up nearby objects in a matter of moments once turned on.

The downside to most radiant heaters is that the objects and people needing to receive the effects of the warmth must be in a clear unblocked line of the heater. Radiant heaters are most often found at outdoor social and sporting events, ideal to keep guests warm while they are standing around a radiant unit. Radiant heaters are also ideal for use as overhead heaters, often built into long strips and used in doorways or loading docks. These placements provide instant warmth for loading dock and warehouse workers while not being affected by outside elements.

Alternative Garage Heater Power Sources

Electric heaters are, by far, the most common style available on the market. They are cost effective to purchase and easy to operate. While their operating costs may be somewhat higher than other heater types, they require no venting, allowing them to be suitable in nearly any size garage that has a power outlet. There are, however, several other options to consider depending on your specific needs.

Another choice for heating is natural gas. These are typically only an option if the house the garage is attached to is already using natural gas lines as a power source, primarily because the installation of natural gas lines can be extremely costly. While natural gas garage heaters are extremely cost effective to operate, they do require professional installation and must be mounted to an exterior wall for ventilation purposes. The unit themselves are also more expensive upfront than many other designs.

Propane heaters work in a manner similar to natural gas heaters, requiring outside ventilation and often professional installation. Propane heaters are more convenient due to the fact that they can operate on portable propane tanks and do not require the home to be set up with gas lines already.

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What Are The Benefits Of An Infrared Radiant Heater?

One of the primary benefits of using an infrared radiant heater is the almost immediate results you can achieve once the device is powered on. Typical convection heaters work by heating the air in the room, gradually pulling cooler air in and releasing it at an increased temperature. While this method is effective, it can be extremely time consuming, particularly in larger rooms. Infrared heaters, on the other hand, work by heating the objects in front of them, not the air. Because of this, as soon as the heater is turned on, its heating effects can be felt, typically reaching maximum efficiency in a matter of minutes.

Portable radiant heaters also offer the advantage of being able to be used outdoors. With a typical convection heater, the slightest breeze can cause the warm air being produced by the unit to be dissipated, greatly reducing the effectiveness of the device. A portable radiant heater, on the other hand, is not affected by wind movement, as the infrared rays being emitted from it cannot be manipulated away from their intended target. Because of this, radiant heaters are much more versatile than convection heaters for a range of outdoor applications.

Finally, radiant heaters, if used properly, are much more cost effective than traditional convection heaters. Since they take less time to be effective, the amount of time they need to be run is decreased. Portable heaters can also be moved from room to room with ease, particularly since they don't require time to warm up when being placed into a new room.

Radiant heaters do have their disadvantages as well. They are designed to heat objects within their line of sight. This means that a person sitting to the side of an electric radiant heater will not feel the benefits of the unit the same way the person sitting directly in front of it will. Their heating pattern is very directed and, therefore, somewhat restricted. They tend to work best in somewhat open floor plans which eliminate or reduce the number of items that may reside in the heater's line of sight in front of the person desiring the full effect of the unit. Electric radiant heaters also tend to work best in smaller areas and within close proximity. The larger a room is or the further away from the heater you are, the less benefit you will feel from the heat source. Since convection heaters rely on air movement, they are typically not affected by obstacles that may block their paths. Their ability to heat the air, as opposed to simply the objects in a room, makes them less affected by the layout of the room itself and allows the benefits of their heat to reach objects to the side of the unit and behind the unit, as long as there is sufficient airflow in those areas.

Where Are Radiant Heaters Most Often Used?

Some of the most obvious uses for radiant heaters are in outdoor environments. They are commonly found in large warehouses, loading docks, and sporting arenas where heat is needed more for the people directly in front of or below the heater, regardless of wind movement in the area. These types of radiant heaters often resemble large rectangular overhead light fixtures which are suspended from the ceiling.

Radiant heaters are also used by event planners for outdoor events such as weddings, parties, or catered occasions. These can come in the form of large tower heaters, sometimes resembling metal umbrella like devices, designed for providing heat to gatherings of people around them. They can also be found in small table top models, ideal for outdoor dining events when placed at individual tables.

For residential use, radiant heating technology can be used for portable devices, able to be used indoors or outdoors and moved from room to room as needed. They can also be found built into the walls and floors of the home itself. Ideal for wood and ceramic floors, radiant technology allows a home to be heated in a much more efficient manner, focusing the energy on the surface areas a homeowner would come into contact with the most. When used in this manner, the radiant heaters will also heat the room itself to some degree, much like the objects heated by the sun will effect the temperature of the surrounding area.

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Why Do Fireplaces Lose Their Novelty?

If someone was not raised to be accustomed to splitting logs in the snow, hauling firewood indoors every day, and cleaning a seemingly endless supply of ash and soot from inside the fireplace, as well as the area surrounding it, the novelty of having a fireplace in the home may wear off fairly quickly. Fireplaces are beautiful additions to many homes, as well as a cost effective method of heating. Many people fail to realize that they need to be cleaned on a regular basis, which can be quite a messy task. The tools used for starting and maintaining the fire must also be cleaned regularly. The chimney, or course, is one of the most important components of the fireplace that must be kept clean, typically requiring costly professional services. While the notion of curling up by a warm fire every night may seem appealing, the labor involved tends to deter many people from actually being able to do so.

What Is An Electric Fireplace Insert?

An electric fireplace insert is the ideal way to have all the beauty of a traditional wood burning fireplace with none of the mess or hassle. Electric inserts are designed to be either mounted inside of your current fireplace opening or simply rest inside of it. They plug into a standard wall outlet and work in a manner very similar to a portable room heater. They consist of a heating element, which is used to increase the temperature of the 'logs' within the fireplace. The logs are often made of ceramic and are created to mimic the appearance of real firewood. As the logs heat up, they increase the temperature of the air being passed over them by the fireplace's internal fan. The heated air blows into the room, raising the room's overall temperature.

Every detail of the electric fireplace insert is designed to give off the appearance of a wood burning fireplace. The ceramic logs are often highly detailed and, from a distance, can easily be mistaken for real wood logs. Most units will incorporate unique lighting techniques that use flickering bulbs to create the look of real flames. Colored elements designed to resemble the look of flames in red, yellow, and orange tones, can also be incorporated into the design. The fireplace's built in fan creates the movement needed to bring the elements to life.

What Are The Benefits Of An Electric Fireplace Insert?

An electric insert allows homeowners to utilize the existing fireplace structure in a most cost effective and less troublesome manner. Electric inserts are easy to maintain and extremely affordable. They also provide a more effective and consistent heating capacity than a traditional fire would. They eliminate the need to constantly deal with soot and ash removal, as well as the task of either chopping or buying fireplace wood.

During the warmer months, some people still enjoy the look of a glowing fire without necessarily wanting the heat that can be associated with one. Unlike a traditional wood burning fireplace, an electric fireplace insert allows the visual benefits of a fire without the associated heat. Most units have a built in switch that allows the user to shut off the heating element of the unit. It can then be used simply as a visual accessory, with the electric component of the unit providing a glowing effect to the ceramic logs. The fan can be used as well to achieve the full visual fireplace effect, complete with 'flames', while also providing an additional source of air circulation within the room. Many people enjoy this feature for social gatherings in their home. The ability to offer the visual appeal of a fireplace without the heat or the mess is definitely one of the main highlights of the year round benefits of an electric fireplace insert.

For people that do prefer both a wood burning fireplace and an electric unit, they can still experience the benefits of both. There are, in fact, a number of consumers who utilize their fireplace for wood burning purposes during the coldest times of the year and then clean the fireplace and insert the electric unit when less effort is desired to maintain the warmth in the room. Since the electric inserts are typically not permanent installations, they can be removed and reinstalled with ease.

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What Are The Origins Of The Fireplace Heater?

Before modern kitchen appliances were invented or even widely used, homes were typically equipped with large cast iron cabinets. The front of the cabinet opened and was used to keep firewood. On cold nights, the wood was light and the heat would emit from the openings in the door of the unit. Since most everything back then was designed to be as useful as possible, the top surface of the fireplace unit was used for cooking meals. Some larger fireplace units also had room to accommodate pots within the firewood area to allow for faster cooking or even rotisserie like devices for roasting large pieces of meat or poultry. When not being used for cooking purposes, the fireplace continued to serve as a heating device for the home. Some houses were even equipped with smaller secondary fireplace devices in the bedrooms. While not used for cooking, the secondary units were used for heating water for bathing purposes.

What Is An Electric Fireplace Heater?

An electric fireplace heater tends to resemble the more traditional fireplace units that also served as stoves and ovens in the old days. The modern electric fireplace may be able to trace its origins back to cast iron fireplaces but their modern uses are much more simplified. Now that modern cooking appliances are commonplace, the purpose of the electric fireplace heater is purely for heating purposes. They are, however, somewhat focused on visual appeal as well.

Electric fireplace heaters are designed for homes that are unable to accommodate a traditional fireplace. They are also designed to be much simpler to operate and maintain than standard fireplaces. These modern units are built into a cabinet that visually resemble the designs of the original wood burning stove fireplaces. The interior components of the modern heater, however, do not include firewood. Instead, the cabinet houses a stack of logs that are constructed from ceramic or other heat conducting material.

A heating element is built into the unit which, when powered by electricity, is able to produce the heat needed to pass along to the fake firewood. The ceramic logs, in turn, begin to emit a great deal of heat. The unit also includes a small fan unit which pulls in the cooler air in the room and forces it over the logs to increases its temperature. The heated air is then passed into he room, gradually raising the overall room temperature. As more heated air is pushed into the room, the cooler air is pushed down towards ground level where it is then pulled into the heater.

Some electric fireplace heaters are also designed to mimic the appearance of real flames through a combination of light effects and other visual tricks. This tends to add to the units visual appeal as well as adding to the visual illusion of a true fireplace.

What Are The Benefits Of Electric Fireplace Heaters?

The biggest benefit of electric fireplace heaters is the fact that there is little to no cleanup involved with their use. At most, the unit will require occasional dusting and a light wipe down to prevent any buildup on the surface. There are no chimneys to keep clean, ashes to dust or vacuum up, and fireplace tools to scrub down.

Electric fireplace heaters also provide the look and feel of a fireplace for areas that are unable to accommodate a real fireplace. Whether they are restricted by size or ventilation access, nearly any room is able to house an electric fireplace. Even in homes that could otherwise support a fireplace, because of their design, electric fireplaces also eliminate the need for intensive construction and installation, making them much more cost effective than a real fireplace.

Unlike a traditional fireplace, electric units can also be somewhat portable. While larger units may be a bit cumbersome to be moving on a daily basis, you can move them from room to room as needed to better accommodate guests or to simply store the unit during the warmer months when it is not in use. Because of their visual appeal, however, most consumers prefer to leave them out year round to add to the overall ambience of the room.

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What Is An Oil Heater?

In its most basic design, an oil filled heater consists of a series columns mounted atop a heating element. The heating element is typically electric powered and works to heat oil which is stored in the metal columns. As the oil is heated, it creates a natural convection motion within the chambers. The movement of the heated oil then works to heat the air surrounding the unit, allowing it to raise the overall room temperature. Oil filled heaters are preferred by consumers seeking a quiet operation with an effective heating area.

What Types Of Oil Heaters Are There?

There are numerous types of oil electric heaters on the market, however, the two most common styles are oil radiator heaters and oil fan heaters. Both styles are effective and affordable methods of heating, but provide different methods of heating the space within a room.

What Is An Oil Radiator Heater?

An oil radiator heater works on a slightly different method than a standard convection heater. Instead of heating the air in the room that surrounds the unit, it radiates the heat to only heat the objects in the room. Because of the method in which the ehat is distributed, they don't need to rely on fans to help disperse the heat into the room.

Oil radiant heaters are ideal for smaller spaces. They produce a significantly faster heating effect while also being much quieter during operation. Radiant heaters come in a variety of sizes, designed for anything from an under the desk foot warmer to a small bedroom heater. They are also better on people with sensitive sinuses or allergies, since the elimination of the fan unit decreases the air movement and potential dryness it can cause. Radiant heaters work best in fairly open floor plans, allowing them to heat the objects that need the benefits of the increased temperature the most. They are also ideal for outdoor use, where drafts and breezes could potentially effect standard fan driven heaters. The radiant technology is not affected by air movement, allowing the unit to heat nearby objects regardless of wind movement.

What Is An Oil Fan Heater?

An oil fan heater works by using the heated oil columns as a source to raise the temperature of the sir in the room. This is typically accomplished by including a small fan unit as part of the oil electric heater that first pulls the cooler air from the room into the unit, then allows it to be heated by the oil columns, then pushes it back out into the room at the increased temperature. Since the cooler air will always be loser to ground level, the heating process creates a convection movement. As the hot air is released from the heater it rises to the upper area of the room, thereby forcing the cooler air downwards to be circulated through the heater itself.

Oil fan heaters, unlike radiant heaters, can handle a somewhat larger area, though they are still limited in their range. They works best in rooms where the air circulation is needed to better disperse the heat, particularly when the room is lacking a desired amount of open space.

Are Oil Heaters Safe To Use?

Like most modern appliances, oil heaters are, in fact, extremely safe to use and come equipped with a number of built in safety features. They are typically equipped with a tilt sensor which will shut off the device immediately if it were to be knocked over. Like any appliance, however, certain precautions must be taken to ensure safe operation. Oil heaters should never be left in rooms unattended. When a room is unoccupied, the heater should always remain off. They should also never be set too close to any furniture or other materials that may be affected by the temperature being produced by the heater. This can greatly reduce the potential fire hazard as well. Of course, children should never be allowed to operate or play near an oil heater. Power cords should always be checked periodically for any signs of wear and proper ventilation should always be kept in mind when using a heater in a room.

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What Is Diesel?

Diesel is a petroleum based crude oil that works in a manner similar to that of standard gasoline. Diesel fuel, however, is heavier and denser than gasoline. While it is present in a small percentage of the automobile market, diesel fuel is a leading competitor in the home heating arena. When used in a diesel fuel heater, its increased density allows it to burn much hotter than gasoline, offering a more efficient heat output.

What Types Of Diesel Fuel Heaters Are Available?

While there are several types of diesel based heaters on the market, the two most common models are diesel infrared heaters and diesel forced air heaters. In order to increase the versatility of these designs, they can sometimes be run on kerosene as well, an alternative fuel sometimes relied on during diesel shortages.

What Is A Diesel Infrared Heater?

A diesel infrared heaters work in a manner similar to that of our sun. Instead of heating the air that surrounds us, the sun produces infrared rays that heat the objects around us, including our own bodies. While it may feel like the air itself is being heated, that increase in temperature is caused by the heat being emitted from the objects that have been subjected to the infrared rays.

Infrared heaters rely on the same technology to produce a highly efficient and effective method of heating a home. One of the main benefits to this type of heating is the fact that the heat output from the unit is felt almost immediately. Since the heater is only affecting the objects around it, it takes much less time to begin creating the temperature changes. These types of infrared heaters also tend to be much more efficient, particularly in rooms that may be somewhat drafty or those open to other rooms in the house.

Infrared heaters are also ideal for outdoor use, being unaffected by wind and breezes that would disturb the heat distribution in a standard forced air heater. This makes them popular for garages and workshops in particular. They can also be found frequently in use at outdoor tailgate parties, winter weddings, or other outdoor events in the colder months of the year. For homeowners who take frequent advantage of outdoor patio space, infrared heaters allow them to continue to do so regardless of the temperature. Small table top heaters are ideal for more intimate outdoor seating ares, while larger tower heaters can accommodate larger patio settings.

The downside to infrared heaters is that they can sometimes be ineffective in larger areas. Since they are meant to heat the objects around them, their reach can only extend to a certain area. While there are a variety of infrared heater sizes on the market, the largest ones are still more limited in their heating area capacity than other styles.

What Is A Diesel Forced Air Heater?

The most common style of heater that many homeowners are familiar with is a forced air heater. This design relies on diesel fuel to ignite and create a heat source. That source is used to increase the temperature of a heating element within the unit, typically made from ceramic or metal. Once the heating element has reached optima temperature, a fan built into the unit begins to force air over the heating element and into the room. As the air passes over and through the element, its temperature increases. The fan also works to pull the cooler air within the room into the unit to be heated. This helps to better circulate the air into the room, creating a convection movement.

Forced air heaters are ideal for large rooms where little to no drafts are present. Any drafts or breezes can potentially effect the air circulation and potentially disrupt the heating process. They are extremely affordable and effective, making them ideal for use in nearly any room in the home. One of the primary downsides to forced air heaters is they do tend to dry the air out slightly more than an infrared unit. While not normally an issue, this can make a difference to those with sensitive nasal issues.

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Why Buy Used?

There are several benefits to buying a used walk in cooler. Not only do you save a significant amount of many as compared to a brand new model, you may also be able to get higher end features in a used model that you would have not been able to afford in a brand new unit. The downsides of buying used are that your selection may be somewhat limited, however, with more and more companies beginning to join in the used equipment market, they may not be as limited as they once were. Many companies are even taking equipment returned to them under warranty issues, refurbishing them, and reselling them at a significant markdown. There are also several companies that offer warranties on their used models which are comparable to those given with new equipment. Even if you are not looking for a cost savings, you may be able to upgrade to a larger model, or even one with more advanced features, if you decide to buy used instead of new.

What Should I Look For In A Used Walk In Cooler?

One of the main things to consider when buying used is the age of the unit. While older models are significantly cheaper, they may include mechanics that are no longer being used and, therefore, difficult to find replacement parts for. An older unit also has a shorter expected lifespan than one that has only been used for a shorter period of time. While you don't necessarily need one less than one or two years old, it may not be a wise choice to buy a twenty year old unit either. You should also take into account what type of warranty comes with the unit and compare that to the expected lifespan you expect to receive from the equipment.

You should also make sure that you are buying your used unit from a reputable dealer. Many larger name distributors take the time to ensure the used pieces they are selling are in proper working order and no major mechanical malfunctions should be expected in the near future. It is also helpful to buy from a dealer willing to disclose exactly how the merchandise was acquired, as well as what type of environment it was used in previously. While this may not seem relevant, it can give you a better idea of what sort of wear and tear the equipment has been subjected to in the past.

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