Ceramic heaters are an excellent option for those looking to save money on their heating bills.
They work by warming the air in your home, which requires less energy than other types of conventional heating systems.
You may be wondering how they work and what the advantages and disadvantages of ceramic heaters are.
In this post, we will look at some of these things to make an informed decision about whether or not one is right for you.
What is a Ceramic Heater?
A ceramic heater is a resilient heating source that uses electricity to heat the ceramic plates.
Ceramic elements are lightweight, can be mounted easily on most surfaces without requiring special fittings, and provide even heat distribution over the surface area, making them highly energy-efficient.
Types of Ceramic Heaters
Ceramic heaters, contrary to their name, aren’t entirely composed of ceramic. Instead, most of these heaters’ components are made of plastic with a little bit of metal.
The heating element in the ceramic heater, made of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) ceramic, heats the air that passes over it. Because ceramic is so durable, the heater should last for many years without breaking down if you clean it regularly of dust and other particles.
Let’s take a look at these two types of ceramic heaters and how they differ.
Convective Ceramic Heaters
Ceramic heaters are generally used in convection heating. Electricity warms a sequence of aluminum parts (called fins) that transfer heat to a ceramic heating element in this type of heating method.
The fan also pulls in cool air from the bottom of the heater and pushes it over the ceramic element and metal components, heating the air and distributing it throughout the space.
The majority of convection heaters also require a fan to blow heated air into the room. This has the advantage of speeding up how fast heat is circulated throughout the entire area.
Radiant Ceramic Heaters
On the other hand, Radiant ceramic heaters utilize electricity to heat the ceramic plate and do not employ a fan to move air in or out. Rather than radiating heat into objects in its path, the heater absorbs it through direct contact with them.
The heat is released at a high temperature, which is greater than the surrounding items; as a result, these things will absorb the heat as it approaches them.
The heat in radiant heaters does not spread uniformly throughout the space, as it does with convection heaters, but it lasts for a longer period because it is retained within objects rather than in the air.
The majority of radiant ceramic heaters are thought to be more successful at producing heat where it’s needed than electric or oil-filled radiators.
They won’t be as successful if you need to go from room to room since the heat won’t follow you.
How Do Ceramic Heaters Work?
Heaters may be divided into two categories: resistance and convection. They all work in different ways, and each has its characteristics. Ceramic heaters utilize the principle of resistive heating.
In a nutshell, this is a method for producing heat by passing an electric current through a conductor. The conductor, in this instance, is a ceramic plate. Ceramic has greater thermal conductivity because it has more resistance to the current.
As the water attempts to pass through the ceramic, it generates even more heat.
Heat is conducted via metal coils with ceramic plates sandwiched between them. The heat is absorbed by the ceramic plates and then released into the air.
Advantages and Disadvantages Of Ceramic Heaters
Advantages of Ceramic Heaters
Ceramic heaters come with plenty of benefits. Check them out below.
They Heat Quickly
Because ceramic plates absorb heat so effectively, they can reach their intended temperature quickly – often faster than other types of heaters.
They’re also quieter than other types of heaters since they don’t produce as much sound.
They also cool down considerably faster once turned off, allowing them to be highly productive.
Energy-Efficient
Because they heat up rapidly, they don’t use much power. When the ceramic reaches the proper temperature, the electric current shuts off and utilizes the energy stored in the ceramic material.
They are also highly cost-effective compared to traditional heating systems since they require less power to produce more heat.
This means they are more resource-efficient and better for the environment than burning fossil fuels like gas.
Ceramic heaters have an efficiency of 90-95%, which is greater than other heaters.
They are Portable and Lightweight
Ceramic space heaters are one of the most portable heating options available. They’re small and light enough to be transported from room to room in your house.
In general, space heaters were designed for homes without a central heating system or one that wasn’t powerful enough to combat the cold of winter ultimately.
Whether you choose a box-style ceramic heater or a tower heater, both are lightweight and simple to transport.
Affordable
Because ceramic space heaters are electric, which makes them less complicated to use than their oil counterparts.
The ceramic heat element also heats up quickly, requiring less energy to get heated.
You may run them for shorter amounts of time and still obtain the amount of heat you were looking for.
They Have Built-in Safety and Added Features
Ceramic heaters are less hazardous than other types of heaters since they are easy to operate.
However, when combined with additional safety mechanisms, ceramic heaters are the safest option on the market. The following are other safety features your ceramic heater may have:
- Tip-over protection – This feature is a must-have for families with children or pets since it automatically shuts off if the heater is knocked over.
- Cool-touch housing – This feature helps prevent the heater’s outer body from getting too hot to touch.
- Overheat protection – This feature shuts down the heater if it gets too hot. It can save the heater from overheating and starting a fire.
Disadvantages of Ceramic Heaters
Some of the disadvantages of ceramic heaters include:
- Heat stops being transferred once the heater is turned off – This means that the heat is only transferred until it reaches a specific temperature, and then it’s just dissipated.
- They don’t heat large spaces – Since you can only heat smaller spaces, it would be very inefficient to use the heater for larger rooms.
- Physical objects can block heat transfer – Because heat is transferred via radiation, it can be blocked if something solid like furniture or clothing gets in the way.
- They don’t work well for people with breathing problems – Some ceramic heaters contain harmful chemicals that could cause health complications.
- The heater needs to warm up before reaching full power – Which means that you need to wait a while before feeling any substantial effects of the heater’s heat transfer.
Safety Precautions to Take When Using Ceramic Heater
Ceramic heaters are safe to operate. However, you need to take certain precautions when operating them for your safety and the efficacy of the heater itself. Check them out below.
- Ensure that children and pets do not touch the appliance as it gets hot very quickly and may cause severe injuries.
- Keep away from water bodies such as sinks or baths because if they come into contact with any source of liquid, then there will be an increased risk of fire accidents.
- Make sure that ceramic heating elements don’t get wet because this would also create problems in its functionality.
- Use only UL-certified cords, which can handle high temperatures safely; otherwise, these cords can easily catch on fire due to overheating. So, make sure you use the right type of cords for this appliance.
- The power cord should not be covered by carpets or rugs as it could cause overheating and poses a fire hazard.
- Keep the heater away from flammable materials such as paper, clothing, etc., because if they come into contact with any source of flame, there will be an increased risk of accidents.
- Make sure you place the heater at least three feet away from bedding, furniture, or curtains because if these items are too close, there is an increased chance that your belongings may catch on fire.
- Do not leave heaters turned on when no one is present in the house. That’s because it can pose significant risks during emergencies like medical emergencies where family members may not be around to attend to the appliance.
- Never block the air vent on top of the machine; otherwise, there is an increased risk that your unit will overheat, causing damage and posing safety hazards such as fire risks, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ceramic Heaters
Ceramic vs. Infrared Heater
The difference between a ceramic heater and an infrared heater is that a ceramic heater heats objects and the surrounding air. In contrast, an infrared heater only heats objects, while infrared heaters don’t emit any light. So, they must rely on other methods such as radiation or convection to transfer energy to their surroundings.
Ceramic heat up fast; they are quick to cool down and also quite portable. Infrared heaters, on the other hand, are safer, quieter, and low maintenance. Therefore, depending on their distinct features, your choice will depend on your needs and what you need the heater for.
Oil Filled Heater vs. Ceramic
Oil-filled heaters are silent, they offer long-lasting heat, and they are also energy-efficient. On the other hand, Ceramic heaters offer instant heat, accurate spot heating and effective for small spaces.
The drawbacks of these two types of heaters include:
Oil heaters are expensive, slow to start up, and relatively large. Ceramic heaters are noisy, difficult to clean, and have difficulty maintaining steady temperatures.
Ceramic vs. Fan Heater
A fan heater and a ceramic heater are different because one heats using a filament, and the other uses a ceramic plate.
The ceramic heater retains heat, which means it gives more warmth than a fan heater. However, they both work with a fan.
The best option is to use both because one doesn’t heat the room as quickly. It’s good to have a fan heater if you need more heat, or if it gets too hot, then switch over to the ceramic option.
Do Ceramic Heaters Use a Lot of Electricity?
A ceramic heater uses a lot of electricity, but not as much compared to an electric fan heater.
Ceramic heaters are more efficient when heating the environment, and they can provide warmth for around ten hours without needing to be recharged or plugged into another power source.
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Ceramic Heater?
The space heater’s power consumption is calculated on the average price per kilowatt-hour in the United States: The typical cost of electricity for customers in the United States is about 12 cents per kilowatt-hour.
For instance, if your heater uses 1500 watts, it can cost you 18 cents an hour to use it.
If you use it for 8 hours a day, it can cost you around $1.44.
When you multiply this with 30 days, it will be:
$1.44 x 30 = 43.2/month
Are Ceramic Heaters Energy Efficient?
Yes, ceramic heaters are energy efficient because they do not use any gas or rely on fossil fuels to operate.
How Long Do Ceramic Heaters Last?
Ceramic heaters last for a long time. They are known to have an average lifespan of around 15 years if they’re installed by professionals and even longer if they’re not used often or at all.
You can find ceramic heaters that last up to 20-25 years, but it’s recommended to replace them every ten years because their internal parts start wearing out after a while due to prolonged use.
Are Ceramic Heaters Safe to Leave on Overnight?
No. This is because they can easily overheat, which could cause a fire if you do not monitor them closely when they are in use.
Do Ceramic Heaters Put Off Carbon Monoxide?
No. Ceramic heaters are safe to use because they do not release carbon monoxide into the air when used correctly.
However, there is always a risk that carbon monoxide will be released if appliances such as your oven or gas stove malfunction and cause the production of this poisonous gas.
Conclusion
Using a ceramic heater has many advantages and disadvantages.
If you use it properly, there is no reason why your home won’t be as warm as possible. Just remember to keep the doors closed and windows shut.
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