The owners of summer cafes and shopping pavilions are trying to create warm areas in street conditions. The platform can be both open and closed with partitions and glazing. Outdoor gas heaters are successfully operating in all types of such territories. A review of the characteristics, properties and best manufacturers of devices will make the best choice for certain operating conditions.
Purpose of gas heaters
Gas street heater is a multifunctional device. It serves to heat an open area, highlight it and create a comfortable atmosphere. Such devices are distinguished by their size and stylish appearance, stylized to any theme. Usually act as a backup heater.
The main scope of application is to maintain a comfortable temperature on terraces, in gazebos, recreation areas, parks. They are also an element of decor. Many restaurant owners put street heaters at the entrance to their cafe or restaurant to emphasize respectability.
Also, gas-fired appliances can warm household units, summer kitchens, and construction sites.
Gas heaters can be divided into several groups:
- heat guns;
- ceramic;
- fixed installation converters;
- catalytic devices;
- portable devices;
- infrared models.
The principle of action of all types is similar.
Heaters are made of stainless steel or other metals. Stainless steel is resistant to adverse weather conditions and is reliable. If you are using a coated metal appliance, you should purchase a protective cover or install a heater under the roof.
Options and principle of operation
An outdoor heater is an autonomous device that runs on liquefied or main gas. There are models on sale that combine both functions. The general principle of action is infrared radiation. It is most effective because it heats objects, not the surrounding air. Also, it is not blown away by the wind and has a stable impact zone. Depending on the model, the thermal regime is created at a distance of 2-6 meters.
According to the installation method, the technician is in the form of pendant lights, pyramids, products on a stand, mobile compact devices. Regardless of the design, the composition of any heater has the following elements:
- Emitter. Gives IR radiation.
- Reflector. Directs heat to the desired area.
- A heating element. It is a source of heat.
- Lattice. Protects fragile items from damage.
- Chamber for a gas cylinder.
- Burner.
- Control block.
When burning gas fuel, heat is generated, which is transmitted to the heating element. The temperature of the emitter rises, resulting in the formation of infrared waves. They pass through the air, like sunbeams, and heat objects encountered on the way. When reflected from objects, part of the heat is transferred to the air. This creates a comfortable temperature in the street.
Advantages and disadvantages
Models running on gas fuel have the following advantages:
- Aesthetic appearance. You can buy a gas lamp-heater for the veranda and the street with any color and any design.
- Fuel availability. Natural bottled gas is one of the cheapest types of raw materials.
- Mobility. Can be moved thanks to the presence of wheels on large models.
- Several power modes.
- Simplicity of design. The absence of complex elements increases the life of the devices and improves their reliability.
- Good efficiency due to high efficiency.
- Work in the range from -40 ° C to + 40 ° C.
- Environmental friendliness. The products of gas combustion are environmentally friendly.
- Simplicity of operation.
- Heating rate. Devices quickly adapt to changes in parameters.
- Safety. Heaters have a multi-level protection system, so that the risk of fire and other dangerous situations is minimal.
- Durability. Validity may exceed 10 years.
The disadvantages are as follows:
- The need to control fuel availability. Periodically, it is necessary to replace the can of gas after its completion.
- Cost. What price the device will cost depends on its functions, design and purpose.
- Risk of gas leakage. The gas itself is toxic, therefore its leakage is harmful to health and can be fatal.
- Limit the time spent near the heater. IR rays negatively affect a person with prolonged exposure to their area of effect.
- You must carefully consider the ventilation system when installing your own hands. Otherwise, the chamber will not receive enough oxygen necessary for combustion.
Despite the shortcomings, street gas heaters do a good job and have established themselves as reliable and high-quality equipment.
Criterias of choice
If necessary, buy a gas heater for a summer residence, you should use the following tips:
- Definition of the main task of the device. Heating a terrace, an outbuilding or a walk-through place requires different capacities, so you need to decide in advance what a heater is for.
- If people will live on a permanent basis in a private house, it is better to take a gas heater for the street stationary installation. It will be a more economical and durable device that will maintain a given temperature regime. The device will light up after a short period of time.
- For infrequent home visits, it is better to give preference to the ceramic model. It is easy to transport by car, heating will begin immediately after switching on.
- For tourist trips choose a miniature street gas infrared heater.
- The power depends on the intended use. For large areas will require more powerful equipment.
- It is recommended to choose devices with thermostatic regulators. In them, the user himself sets the optimal temperature regime, which is supported by the heater. Such products save fuel and financial resources. This is due to the fact that when a certain temperature is reached, the gas fungus for heating is turned off, and when it falls below the declared value, it turns on again.
- Possibility of smooth adjustment of heating power. This function reduces the consumption of raw materials, as street heaters will operate in a gentle manner.
- The presence of a security system. There should be sensors that turn off the device in case of overheating, lack of oxygen and other emergency situations. In expensive models, there is an auto power off function when falling or tilting. It is better to choose devices with a removable reflector, thanks to which you can protect the heater from bad weather. Also, for better stability, you should purchase a device with a wide base.
- Dimensions, weight, mobility are determined by the purpose of the heater.
It is important to choose a gas lamp-heater from trusted manufacturers in specialized stores. Otherwise, there is a risk of buying a fake device that does not meet the declared characteristics.Prices for heaters start from 1 thousand rubles, reach 30 or more thousand, depending on functionality, brand and other indicators.
Determination of thermal power
When choosing a heater, you need to pay attention to its electric power. The standard ratio is as follows - per 10 sq.m. An area with ceilings up to 3 meters high will require 1 kW of energy. These are average values that do not take into account the individual characteristics of the territory, as well as the climate of the region.
When calculating the power of an outdoor heater, adjustments should be made related to constant winter winds. Knowing the location of the winter wind rose will help to more accurately find out the necessary parameters for effective heating of the territory and choose the best mushroom heater. If it is not possible to find out the exact wind rose, it is necessary to take into account the adverse weather conditions characteristic of the region. The calculation also takes into account the minimum temperature in winter and average values at other times of the year.
The resulting value is expressed in watts and kilowatts. It is necessary to focus on him when choosing a street gas heater.
Popular models
The manufacture of outdoor heating devices is carried out by Ballu, Hyundai, Aesto, bellagio and others. The production forces of Russian companies are located in various large cities - Moscow, Irkutsk, St. Petersburg, Krasnodar.
One of the safest models is the Ballu BOGH-15. For the street it is better to choose NEOCLIMA 09 HW B. The most economical cottage heater is Timberk TGH 4200 M1.
