Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Would you choose Oil or Mica for your space heater?

Micathermic heating units also termed as mica flat panel heaters, share most of the heating qualities of oil filled radiators.

Both of them are 1,500 watt radiant heating units and depend on convection (rising heat) to distribute their warmth.  This enables them, typically, to function quietly.  Although you'll read the occasional comment concerning the creaking and clanking of the oil filled radiator because it gets hotter, this ought to be but a brief annoyance to individuals driven to distraction by the constant whir of the fan forced heater.

Radiant convection heating units also benefit individuals who are suffering from allergic reactions or respiratory conditions since there's no fan to whip up a storm of dust and allergens.

Now let us have a look at a few of the noticeable and notable variations between micathermic and oil filled heating units.  The foremost and most apparent is size.

At 27 pounds, the normal radiator heater weighs at about two times over a mica heater.  Casters notwithstanding, a radiator might be awkward for many to maneuver from area to area when using it for zone heating.  The general size a radiator may be an problem if space is limited.

However, the slim line profile of the mica panel heater is inconspicuous and gives itself well to tight spots or cramped spaces.  Also, some mica heating units provide the flexibility of optional wall mounting.

A few complaints customers have with radiator convection heating units is the amount of time they consume in trying to  warmth an area and also size of an area they are capable of heating.

First, the heated area: The heating area estimate for many heating units of this type is about 150 sq ft - that is achievable generally.  But additional factors like heat loss through window and door frames, quality of insulation, and air movement in your home could considerably lessen the effective heating area.

Also, someone utilizing a space heater inside a warmer winter climate like in Virginia, may have better results than the usual homeowner in Maine.

Second, heating speed: Radiant convection heating units of all kinds are extremely  slow at starting to warm up an area - usually taking around thirty minutes before an apparent change in temperature can be felt.

This is when the miracle of mica comes in.  The exceptional heat transfer properties of mica, identified by heavy industry, allow it to instantly radiate warmth in to the room - even with no fan.  Therefore it is either mica or needing to wait for five quarts of oil to warm up.


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