Pros and cons of a micathermic heater

On winter days, central heating may often not provide the required effect, which is why the use of additionally installed heat sources becomes a prerequisite for a comfortable life during this period. People often buy heaters to avoid freezing in winter. The convector heating device is currently the most popular of the entire segment of devices. There is confusion between convector and micathermic units. In fact, the micathermic heater that recently appeared in stores is only slightly similar to its counterpart. The new equipment has a different design and principle of heat distribution.

Operating principle of a micathermic heater

The words of marketers about the use of fundamentally new space technology can be ignored, like other advertising slogans. Manufacturers claim that micathermic heaters are electrical devices that produce heat through infrared radiation.

The radiant component of heat is about eighty percent, while the convective component is about twenty. The technology for manufacturing heating devices has a name - “Microtherm”, which contributed to the appearance of the names of the devices.

The effect is achieved because the plate, which is insulated on both sides with mica, is heated.

REFERENCE! Mica is a mineral that is an excellent electrical insulator, but also has good thermal conductivity.

The plate, which is insulated with mica, is placed inside the metal body of the heater. Each case has a grille that does not serve as an obstacle to the passage of the infrared ray. The radiation of the radiant component of the plate on both sides also determines the number of these gratings: manufacturers often install two gratings on the housings so that the heat flows in more than one direction.

REFERENCE! As soon as infrared rays hit environmental objects, they heat up, which further warms the air in the entire room. A micathermic heater works this way.

To enhance the direction of the flow of infrared rays, a couple more layers are applied to the existing “sandwich”, which includes a metal heating component and mica plates:

1. Reflects heat.
2. Concentrates heat.

The components of the layers are metal oxides. This layer has contributed to the emergence of heating devices that heat the air on one side just as well as conventional ones, which means they can be mounted on the wall to save space. Often such devices have a flat, practical shape, but you can also find an original model that will meet the individual needs of the buyer. There is, for example, a heating device that has a cylindrical tubular shape.

Pros and cons of a micathermic heater

Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of micathermic heaters for a complete picture.

What are the advantages:

1. Economical.The traditional type of heater consumes thirty percent more electricity, which significantly affects the owner’s expense item.
2. Safety. The maximum heating temperature of the device body is about sixty degrees, which eliminates the possibility of burns.
3. Maintaining the microclimate in the room. Due to the operating principle of the device, there is no combustion of oxygen at home. No matter how much the room warms up, there will be no shortage of oxygen.
4. Silence. The device can be installed in a bedroom, office, or nursery. During operation, the device does not make any unnecessary noise.

What are the disadvantages:

1. Heating only a certain area. The directional zone will heat up, but as you move away from the heating device, the heat becomes insufficient. Far from the unit, there is almost no effect from the heater.
2. The radiating plates have several holes that become clogged with dust. Because of this, turning on the device may be accompanied by the smell of burning fine particles.

What criteria to consider when choosing a heating device

Before purchasing an infrared micathermic heater, you should take time to study the technical parameters of the device.

What should you pay attention to before buying a heater?

1. Power. This is the main indicator used to measure the device’s performance and heat dissipation. It is necessary to select a device based on the area of ​​the room that requires an additional heat source.
2. Wiring. It is important to ensure that your home's wiring can handle the unit's power before committing to a particular heater. This is necessary so that the device can operate smoothly and without unnecessary problems.
3. Place.An important point is the selection of the location in which the device will be located. When choosing a specific model, it is necessary to think about where you can install the heater.
4. Appearance. When selecting a heating device, it is necessary to pay attention to the interior of the entire room so that the unit does not deviate from the overall style. It is necessary to choose a heater of the same color scheme so that it does not look awkward in the room. White and dark brown tones are often preferred.