Heater
Encyclopedia
A heater is an object that emits heat
or causes another body to achieve a higher temperature
. In a household or domestic setting, heaters are usually appliances whose purpose is to generate heating (i.e. warmth). Other types of heaters are Oven
s and Furnace
s.
Heaters exists for all states of matter, including solids, liquids and gases and there are 3 types of heat transfer: Convection, Conduction and Radiation.
The opposite of a heater (for warmth) is an air cooler (for cold) (see air conditioning
) used to keep the user cooler than the temperature originally surrounding them.
Heat
In physics and thermodynamics, heat is energy transferred from one body, region, or thermodynamic system to another due to thermal contact or thermal radiation when the systems are at different temperatures. It is often described as one of the fundamental processes of energy transfer between...
or causes another body to achieve a higher temperature
Temperature
Temperature is a physical property of matter that quantitatively expresses the common notions of hot and cold. Objects of low temperature are cold, while various degrees of higher temperatures are referred to as warm or hot...
. In a household or domestic setting, heaters are usually appliances whose purpose is to generate heating (i.e. warmth). Other types of heaters are Oven
Oven
An oven is a thermally insulated chamber used for the heating, baking or drying of a substance. It is most commonly used for cooking. Kilns, and furnaces are special-purpose ovens...
s and Furnace
Furnace
A furnace is a device used for heating. The name derives from Latin fornax, oven.In American English and Canadian English, the term furnace on its own is generally used to describe household heating systems based on a central furnace , and sometimes as a synonym for kiln, a device used in the...
s.
Heaters exists for all states of matter, including solids, liquids and gases and there are 3 types of heat transfer: Convection, Conduction and Radiation.
The opposite of a heater (for warmth) is an air cooler (for cold) (see air conditioning
Air conditioning
An air conditioner is a home appliance, system, or mechanism designed to dehumidify and extract heat from an area. The cooling is done using a simple refrigeration cycle...
) used to keep the user cooler than the temperature originally surrounding them.
Types
- Air heater
- Block heaterBlock heaterA block heater warms an engine to ease and speed starting and vehicle warmup in cold weather. The most common type is an electric heating element connected through a power cord often routed through the vehicle's grille. The block heater may replace one of the engine's core plugs, or may be...
- Cartridge heaterCartridge heaterA cartridge heater is a tube-shaped, heavy-duty, industrial joule heating element used in the process heating industry, usually custom manufactured to a specific watt density, based on its intended application....
- Cathode heater
- Central heaterCentral heatingA central heating system provides warmth to the whole interior of a building from one point to multiple rooms. When combined with other systems in order to control the building climate, the whole system may be a HVAC system.Central heating differs from local heating in that the heat generation...
- Ceramic heaterCeramic heaterCeramic heaters are space heaters that generate heat by passing electricity through heating wires embedded in ceramic plates. The plates heat aluminium baffles, and a fan blowing across the baffles heats the air...
- Chip heaterChip heaterThe chip heater is a single point, tankless, domestic hot water system popular in Australia and New Zealand from c1880s until the 1960s. Examples of this form of domestic water heating are still in current use....
- Convection heater
- Crankcase heaterCrankcase heaterA crankcase heater is an electrical component in a compressor in an air-conditioning system, heat pump system, or a chiller system. The crankcase heater is normally ON all the time even when the unit is not running, though temperature sensors and set points may be used to turn it off when not needed...
- Dielectric heaterDielectric heatingDielectric heating, also known as electronic heating, RF heating, high-frequency heating and diathermy, is the process in which a high-frequency alternating electric field, or radio wave or microwave electromagnetic radiation heats a dielectric material. At higher frequencies, this heating is...
- District heaterDistrict heatingDistrict heating is a system for distributing heat generated in a centralized location for residential and commercial heating requirements such as space heating and water heating...
- Drum heaterDrum heaterA drum heater – also called band heater, barrel heater, container heater or canister heater- is used to reduce viscosity of liquids and gels by heating in order to fill, pump or bottle the respective liquid or to prevent liquids from freezing inside the drum...
- Electric heaterElectric heatingElectric heating is any process in which electrical energy is converted to heat. Common applications include space heating, cooking, water heating and industrial processes. An electric heater is an electrical appliance that converts electrical energy into heat...
- Air conditioner
- Convector heaterConvector heaterA convection heater is a heater which operates by air convection currents circulating through the body of the appliance, and across its heating element. This heats up the air, causing it to increase in volume and so become buoyant and rise...
- Fan heaterFan heaterthumb|Typical fan heater's internal partsthumb|Overheat cutoutsA fan heater is a heater that works by using a fan to pass air over a heating element. This heats up the air, which then leaves the heater, warming up the surrounding room...
- Feedwater heaterFeedwater heaterA feedwater heater is a power plant component used to pre-heat water delivered to a steam generating boiler. Preheating the feedwater reduces the irreversibilities involved in steam generation and therefore improves the thermodynamic efficiency of the system...
- Flameless ration heater
- Gas heaterGas heaterA gas heater is a device used to heat a room or outdoor area by burning natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas. Indoor household gas heaters can be broadly categorized in one of two ways: flued or non-flued, or vented and unvented...
- Gasoline heaterGasoline heaterA gasoline heater is a small, mounted or portable, gasoline-fueled, space-heating device.In the United States they were used mainly for supplemental heat for the passenger compartments of automobiles and aircraft. Some aircraft continue to use gasoline heaters.-Operation:First, fuel is brought to...
- Geothermal heaterGeothermal heatingGeothermal heating is the direct use of geothermal energy for heating applications. Humans have taken advantage of geothermal heat this way since the Paleolithic era. Approximately seventy countries made direct use of a total of 270 PJ of geothermal heating in 2004...
- Grate heaterGrate heaterA tubular grate heater is any grate or heat exchanger for a fireplace designed from metal tubing. Through the tubing is circulated home air, that becomes heated by the fire. The air is then vented back into the room and home. It is a heat recovery device that improves the efficiency and ability of...
- Heater (aquarium)Heater (aquarium)An aquarium heater is a device used in the fishkeeping hobby to warm the temperature of water in aquariums. Most tropical freshwater and marine aquariums are maintained at temperatures that range from 22-30 °C . The types include glass immersion heaters and undergravel heating...
- Heater coreHeater CoreA heater core is a radiator-like device used in heating the cabin of a vehicle. Hot coolant from the vehicle's engine is passed through a winding tube of the core, a heat exchanger between coolant and cabin air...
- Heating padHeating padA heating pad is a pad used for warming of parts of the body in order to manage pain. Localized application of heat causes the blood vessels in that area to dilate, enhancing perfusion to the targeted tissue...
- Heat pumpHeat pumpA heat pump is a machine or device that effectively "moves" thermal energy from one location called the "source," which is at a lower temperature, to another location called the "sink" or "heat sink", which is at a higher temperature. An air conditioner is a particular type of heat pump, but the...
- Heat TrapsHeat TrapsHeat Traps are valves or loops of pipe installed on the cold water inlet and hot water outlet pipes on water heaters. The heat traps allow cold water to flow into the water heater tank, but prevent unwanted convection and heated water to flow out of the tank. Newer water heaters have built-in heat...
- Hot tubHot tubA hot tub is a large tub or small pool full of heated water and used for soaking, relaxation, massage, or hydrotherapy. In most cases, they have jets for massage purposes. Hot tubs are usually located outdoors, and are often sheltered for protection from the elements, as well as for privacy....
heater - Hybrid water heaterHybrid water heaterA hybrid water heater is a water heating system that integrates technology traits from both the Tank-type water heaters and the Tankless water heaters....
- Hydronic heaterHydronicsHydronics is the use of water as the heat-transfer medium in heating and cooling systems.Some of the oldest and most common examples are steam and hot-water radiators. Historically, in large-scale commercial buildings such as high-rise and campus facilities, a hydronic system may include both a...
- immersion heater
- Induction heaterInduction heaterAn induction heater is a key piece of equipment used in all forms of induction heating. Typically an induction heater operates at either medium frequency or radio frequency ranges. Three main components form the basis of a modern induction heater including the power unit , the work head and the...
- Infrared heaterInfrared heaterAn infrared heater is a body with a higher temperature which transfers energy to a body with a lower temperature through electromagnetic radiation. Depending on the temperature of the emitting body, the wavelength of the infrared radiation ranges from 780 nm to 1 mm. The relationship...
- Infrared saunaInfrared saunaAn infrared sauna uses infrared heaters to emit infrared radiant heat which is absorbed directly into the human body, unlike traditional saunas which heat the body indirectly via air or steam.- Health benefit claims :...
- Ionospheric heaterIonospheric heaterAn ionospheric heater is an array of antennas which are used for heating the ionosphere, and which can create artificial aurora.- Current facilities :...
- Jetstream furnaceJetstream furnaceJetstream furnaces , were an advanced design of wood-fired water heaters conceived by Dr. Richard Hill of the University of Maine in Orono, Maine, USA...
- Kerosene heaterKerosene heaterA kerosene heater, also known as a paraffin heater, is a portable, unvented, kerosene-fueled, space-heating device. In the United States they are used mainly for supplemental heat or as a source of emergency heat during a power outage. In some countries, particularly in Japan, they are used as...
- Masonry heaterMasonry heaterA masonry heater is a device for warming a home that captures the heat from periodic burning of fuels , and then radiates that heat over a long period at a fairly constant temperature. The technology exists in many forms from the Roman hypocaust to the Austrian/German kachelofen...
- Micathermic heaterMicathermic heaterA micathermic heater is a type of space heater in which the heating element is covered in thin sheets of mica. Micathermic heaters produce both convection heat and radiant heat, and are usually thinner than other types of heaters....
- Microheater
- Oil heaterOil heaterAn oil heater, also known as an oil-filled heater, oil-filled radiator, or column heater, is a common form of convection heater used in domestic heating...
- Patio heaterPatio heaterA patio heater is an appliance for generating radiant heat for outdoor use.A burner on top of a post, burns LPG or propane, and directs the flames against a perforated metal screen. Heat is radiated from the surface of the screen in a circular pattern around the appliance...
- Radiative heater - Radiator (heating)Radiator (heating)Radiators and convectors are heat exchangers designed to transfer thermal energy from one medium to another for the purpose of space heating. The heating radiator was invented by Franz San Galli, a Prussian-born Russian businessman living in St. Petersburg, between 1855–1857.- Radiation vs...
- Micathermic heaterMicathermic heaterA micathermic heater is a type of space heater in which the heating element is covered in thin sheets of mica. Micathermic heaters produce both convection heat and radiant heat, and are usually thinner than other types of heaters....
- Radioisotope heater unitRadioisotope heater unitRadioisotope heater units are small devices that provide heat through radioactive decay. They are similar to tiny radioisotope thermoelectric generators , and normally provide about one watt of heat each, derived from the decay of a few grams of plutonium 238, although other radioactive isotopes...
- Rocket mass heater
- Salamander heaterSalamander heaterA salamander heater is any of a variety of portable forced-air or convection heaters, often kerosene-fueled, used in ventilated areas for worksite comfort. Salamander heaters are most often found at construction sites. Depending on style, they can also be referred to as "torpedo furnaces",...
- Solar furnaceSolar furnaceA solar furnace is a structure that captures sunlight to produce high temperatures, usually for industry. This is done with a curved mirror that acts as a parabolic reflector, concentrating light onto a focal point...
- Solar heater
- Solar water heatingSolar water heatingSolar water heating or solar hot water systems comprise several innovations and many mature renewable energy technologies that have been well established for many years...
- Space heaterSpace heatingA space heater is a self-contained device for heating an enclosed area. Space heating is generally employed to warm a small space, and is usually held in contrast with central heating, which warms many connected spaces at once...
- Storage heaterStorage heaterA storage heater or heat bank is an electrical heater which stores thermal energy during the evening, or at night when base load electricity is available at lower cost, and releases the heat during the day as required.-Principle of operation:...
- Thermomechanical generatorThermomechanical generatorThe Harwell TMG Stirling engine, an abbreviation for "Thermo-Mechanical Generator", was invented in 1967 by E. H. Cooke-Yarborough at the Harwell Labs of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. It was intended to be a remote electrical power source with low cost and very long life, albeit by...
- Trace heatingTrace heatingElectric trace heating, also known as electric heat tracing, heat tape or surface heating, is a system used to maintain or raise the temperature of pipes and vessels. Trace heating takes the form of an electrical heating element run in physical contact along the length of a pipe. The pipe must...
- Underfloor heatingUnderfloor heatingUnderfloor heating and cooling is a form of central heating and cooling which achieves indoor climate control for thermal comfort using conduction, radiation and convection...
- Undertank heaterUndertank heaterThis is a heating device created by the pet industry for husbandry of reptiles and amphibians. It is a flat piece of metal and plastic similar to a heating pad which adheres to the underside of a glass aquarium or terrarium, which then must be slightly elevated to avoid pinching the cord.Plugged...
- Water heaterWater heatingWater heating is a thermodynamic process using an energy source to heat water above its initial temperature. Typical domestic uses of hot water are for cooking, cleaning, bathing, and space heating...
(see also Aquarium heaterHeater (aquarium)An aquarium heater is a device used in the fishkeeping hobby to warm the temperature of water in aquariums. Most tropical freshwater and marine aquariums are maintained at temperatures that range from 22-30 °C . The types include glass immersion heaters and undergravel heating...
) - Wet-heater
- Wood heaterWood fuelWood fuel is wood used as fuel. The burning of wood is currently the largest use of energy derived from a solid fuel biomass. Wood fuel can be used for cooking and heating, and occasionally for fueling steam engines and steam turbines that generate electricity. Wood fuel may be available as...