Both terms have deeply scientific explanations that most people are not going to want to get into.
Convection vs radiant propane heaters.
Convection type propane heater.
Choosing between a blue flame heater vs infrared heater can be daunting if you re not fully familiar with how these devices work.
These heaters are more directional than convection heaters covering less area but providing more targeted heating.
Offered in both natural gas and liquid propane the two main types of vent free heaters are blue flame and radiant infrared.
Radiant heaters transfer the heat they generate directly to people and objects.
However they can also both be summed up in fairly simple terms.
Radiant vs convection heat radiant heat warms objects and surfaces without heating the air in between.
Measuring just over 2 feet tall this convection space heater doesn t have a grill covering a heating element.
Convection heaters warm the air and then either use forced air from a blower or natural air currents to distribute the heat.
Those objects warm up directly and radiate back.
You ve probably noticed that there are two main types of heat that a unit can output.
Pros of convection heaters heat an entire room quickly heater elements are covered often cheaper to run better at heating more people.
Convection heat has a couple advantages over radiant heat.
Also both types are vent free often portable and work with 99 9 efficiency.
Infrared rays radiate heat out directly to the air in range.
The main benefit to convection heaters is that they are good at heating an entire room for an extended period of time.
Convection heaters work more slowly and less efficiently but provide sustained heat over a long time and larger areas.
While radiant space heaters are great for heating people and objects in relatively close quarters a convection space heater warms the air in a room which is a better option for large rooms.
Radiant heaters provide a concentrated beam of heat that warms people and objects very quickly but only in small areas.
Considerations in choosing between convection radiant heaters.
As personal heating systems convection heaters and radiant heaters have much to recommend them.
Convection warms the air which is a triple inefficiency.
Cons of radiant heaters take much longer to heat an entire area can be hot to touch.
While both types work at 99 9 efficiency how they deliver heat is a little different.
Radiant heaters use infrared energy just like the sun to heat objects and people in its path.
Radiant heaters offer more direct heating.
Read on to learn the difference between blue flame vs radiant heaters to help you decide which type is right for you.