Since ancient times, during the cold season, people have been looking for a way to heat their homes. For this purpose, heat from burning wood, peat and coal was used. With the development of the steam era, coal boilers and steam heating appeared. It became possible to separate the place of fuel combustion and the place of heating in space, this significantly increased the comfort in living quarters. The next revolution in heating occurred with the development of domestic gas. And finally, electric heaters appeared - the most efficient converters of electricity into heat today. One of the latest inventions is infrared heaters and their variety - micathermic.
What is a micathermic heater and how does it work?
So, a micathermic heating device is an innovative technology borrowed from the space industry. It is based on the ability of some materials to emit waves in the infrared range. Our sun “works” in the same range. While objects are exposed to its rays, they heat up. As soon as they go into the shadows, they cool down.
In the heaters that we are considering, the radiating element is plates made of multilayer material coated with mica. It itself does not heat up, so you can safely touch mikanite without the risk of getting burned. Due to the special structure of the plates and the absence of heating, they practically do not wear out during operation. Mikanites are enclosed in a metal case with a one-sided or double-sided grille. The heat from the heating elements spreads almost instantly from the moment the device is turned on.
Diagram of a micathermic battery device
At the end of the device there is a control unit that regulates the temperature. Expensive models are additionally equipped with an LCD display.
In micanites, upon contact with electrical energy, the process of reflection and isolation of thermal energy occurs, and the dielectric mica covering them transmits infrared radiation to the surrounding space.
A fifth of the thermal energy comes from the heater by convection, due to air movement. Everything else is infrared
Why is it needed and where is it used?
Micathermic systems are universal and unique, thanks to which they can be used not only as a home heater, but also as an ideal device for a summer cottage.
- In the field of medical care. They are used for blood flow disorders, migraines, and as a heating element in complex therapy during the treatment of colds.
- In the massage salon (office). Massage, which is carried out with the micathermic system running, helps to instantly reduce the patient’s weight.
- At work. The unit in the office successfully fights the spread of viruses and bacteria.
- For veterinary clinics. All pets enjoy basking in the sunshine of micathermic systems.
Pros and cons of a micathermic heater in practical use
There are no ideal heating devices. Even cheap gas installations have their drawbacks. Micathermic heaters are not without them. Let's look at the medal from both sides.
Advantages
- Environmental friendliness : Heating of premises occurs using infrared and electromagnetic waves, which do not pose a danger to humans and pets. The device does not emit any toxic fumes.
- Fast heating : The room temperature rises in a matter of minutes, the device can work for a long time.
- Energy savings : Compared to other plug-in appliances, these heaters consume 30% less energy.
- Safety : The device body does not heat up above 60°C. So the battery does not burn if accidentally touched.
- Installation versatility : Heaters operating on the principle of infrared radiation can be installed in indoor and outdoor areas.
- No noise during operation : The thermal expansion of micanites corresponds to the expansion of the device core, so you will not hear the usual clicks when heating.
- Light weight : IR batteries are compact and lightweight, they can be carried from room to room, hung on the wall or placed on the floor.
- Availability of additional options : Timers, thermoregulation and air ionization devices are built into modern heater models. You can purchase a model with additional stands for drying shoes or clothes.
- Directional action : Thermal energy in such heating devices, as a rule, comes from one side. This is very convenient if you need to heat a specific area, for example, the bed area.
Flaws
- Limited range : To feel the heat from the battery, you need to be close to it. IR radiation heats objects, not air.
- Difficulty in cleaning : The most unpleasant thing is that house dust accumulates in the radiator grille and then, when heated, can spread an unpleasant odor. It is necessary to periodically clean the grate with a vacuum cleaner and do wet cleaning.
- High cost : Space technology is not yet a cheap pleasure. But it's only a matter of time. You can buy micathermic heaters for a price starting from 4,000 rubles.
Types of micathermic heaters by installation method
The design of micathermic batteries is the same; they can differ only in the type of installation. Devices can be mounted (wall-mounted) or floor-mounted.
Wall-mounted models are more versatile - in addition to them, they come with stands with wheels, so hang them on the wall or roll them around the apartment.
Some craftsmen attach such equipment to the ceiling. This is not without meaning - after all, this way you can heat the maximum area.
What to look for when purchasing
Whether it’s worth spending money on an updated micathermic heater is up to you to decide, because the advantages of the device are quite convincing, and you can come to terms with the disadvantages and learn to deal with them. If you decide to install a device of this type in your house or apartment, it would be good to learn about several important criteria for choosing an effective micathermic heater.
First of all, you must understand that a power of 1 kWh is enough to heat 12 m². For a larger room, it is worth choosing a more powerful device.
According to the type of fastening and installation, they are divided into floor, wall and ceiling. The higher the device is installed, the larger the coverage radius. However, wall and floor models cannot boast of the mobility of floor models, which can be used to heat a room sector by sector or even move or transport the heater.
When purchasing a heater, pay attention to additional functionality. In a family where children are growing up, it would be useful to block the controls. If you need to heat the bathroom, pay attention to protection from water and moisture. For unheated dachas, you can buy a device that will periodically turn on and warm the room to a certain temperature, and then turn off again.
In general, micathermic heaters allow you to quickly create comfortable conditions in any room. They are easy to use, durable and very effective. As with any device, these heaters have certain operational nuances, but if you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, you can get maximum pleasure and effect from using micathermic heating devices.
How to choose the right power of a micathermic device
The power of the heating device must correspond to the area of the heated room. It is believed that to fully warm up a 10 m² room, 1 kW of thermal energy is required. This is an average indicator that does not take into account the specific operation of the device.
And the specifics may lie in the fact that, for example, the battery is the main source of heat, which means it must be more powerful. There are other nuances - the level of insulation of the house, the presence of doors and windows through which heat loss occurs.
As a result, when purchasing a device, it is better to take it with a reserve of power than with its lack. Take as a basis the figure of 70-80 W per m² of area
To summarize, here are a few important points:
What is a micathermic heater? This is a device whose efficiency percentage reaches 98%. Not every ordinary person can boast of such high performance.
Is it worth choosing it for home use? It’s unlikely that anyone will give a definite answer. We recommend the device for purchase to those for whom it is not the price that is important, but the performance efficiency.
Micathermic heaters Wintermute, Polaris, VES and other brands are manufactured in strict accordance with sanitary requirements. They have undergone proper research and are considered absolutely safe for health.
How to use a micathermic heater correctly
Like any electrical device, an IR heater based on micanites requires compliance with safety precautions during operation:
- Do not connect the battery to an outlet that shows signs of damage;
- the electric heating device should not have direct contact with water, this can lead to severe electric shock, even death;
- The power cord should not be twisted or pulled, and should not be laid under carpets and rugs;
- It is prohibited to place electrical appliances with heating elements near objects that can easily ignite;
- Do not cover the electric battery with a cloth; only special stands should be used for drying clothes;
- It is not recommended to connect devices to the device that are not provided for in the model, for example, timers;
- It is unacceptable for foreign objects to get inside the device body; it is necessary to periodically clean it of dust;
- You should not attempt to repair the electric battery yourself.
By following these simple rules, you will be able to use this type of infrared heater for a long time without risk to health and property.
Criteria for choosing a heating device
Before you buy an infrared micathermic heater, carefully study the description of its technical characteristics. We have already talked about the correct selection of power, but you should also check whether the wiring in your home is capable of ensuring uninterrupted operation of the device. The second significant point is the installation location. When choosing a model, decide in advance where it will stand.
You may not be able to mount it to the wall, or you may need to move it around different rooms from time to time.
Last but not least, the heater should not be too conspicuous. You should choose a model that matches your interior or, at least, does not stand out from its surroundings in color. Typically, such devices are available in white or dark brown.
Popular models of Polaris micathermic heaters
Korean manufacturer Polaris produces a wide range of household appliances. There are not only heaters and air conditioners, but also kitchen appliances from a refrigerator to a mixer, audio and video equipment, medical and cosmetic devices, sports equipment and much more. The company has been operating since 1995 and today is one of the largest manufacturers of household appliances for various purposes in the world.
In Russia alone there are more than 250 Polaris service centers in all major cities. Domestic buyers highly appreciate the quality of the Korean manufacturer’s products, including climate control equipment. These devices are popular because of their affordable prices - they are affordable for buyers with average incomes.
Each segment has an extensive model range with a variety of functionality, so choosing a device that suits your requirements will not be difficult.
But this barrel of honey also has its own fly in the ointment. Or rather, there are two of them. The first is the relatively short warranty period for the products. The company deliberately takes this step, since a developed network of service centers allows it to repair products without spending money on their complete replacement. And the second spoon is the lack of a branded online store. Polaris products are sold in online markets, but not every city has their representative offices. For some reason, the website of this company is not being improved to meet the immediate needs of consumers, so it is not particularly popular.
Now let’s turn specifically to Polaris micathermic heaters and consider the most popular models in this segment.
Micathermic heater Polaris PMH 2095 – at the peak of popularity
This device has a power of 2000 watts and can heat a room of 24 m². It is installed on the floor, has a universal design and an anti-tip system. Available in black and silver, it has power adjustment in 2 levels. The cost of the product (all prices are as of July 2021) is 4,999 rubles.
Polaris PMH
Video review of the Polaris RMN 2095 micathermic heater.
Model Polaris PMH 1594 – customer opinion
The Polaris PMH 1594 micathermic heater can be purchased for an average of 4,000 rubles. It differs from the previous model with a lower power of 1500 W and, accordingly, a smaller heating area. Like other floor heaters, it is equipped with an emergency shutdown when tipping over.
Polaris PMH
Infrared battery Polaris PMH 2005
The lightweight and compact micathermic heater Polaris PMH 2005 will cost you 5,300 rubles. It will heat 30 m². Two power levels allow you to adjust the heating intensity. An overview of the advantages of this device in a short video.
Polaris PMH
Heating with Polaris PMH 1596 rcd
The micathermic heater with target=»_blank» rel=»noopener noreferrer»>convector heating Polaris PMH 1596 rcd has electronic control with an LED display and a control panel. This battery is capable of heating from both sides, so it is better to place it not against the wall, but in the middle of the room. Three heating elements inside the device are capable of heating 24 m² of area. The unit costs about 5,200 rubles.
Polaris PMH
Heater Polaris PMH 2085 for home and garden
And last on our list, but not the least in quality, is the Polaris PMH 2085 micathermic heater. Simple, with mechanical control and all protective functions, it is perfect for a country house or city apartment. It runs on 220 Volts, moves easily on wheels and has a light indicator. It will cost only 4,500 rubles. Here's what customers write about it.
Polaris PMH 2085
Harm of infrared waves to the body or a myth
Infrared waves are ordinary electromagnetic radiation. In all physical and chemical indications it is comparable to traditional rays of the sun. Harm or benefit is measured solely by the depth of penetration of waves into the skin.
There are three types of devices that differ in beam length and heating temperature:
- Heating to 30000C has a wavelength of 50-200 microns.
- Not higher than 6000C – 2.5-50 microns.
- Up to 800 – 0.7-2.5 microns.
That is, the higher the incandescent temperature, the deeper the waves will penetrate.
The average acceptable level for human health is 9.6 microns. The manufacturer's instructions contain information not only about the rules of use, but also the emission range of infrared rays.
If we consider such heaters from a medical point of view, then such rays are very beneficial for health if their length does not exceed permissible limits.
Last question: which is better - a micathermic heater or a convector
There is no point in comparing these two devices in terms of cost - it is approximately the same. The situation is the same with functionality; all modern devices are equipped with the necessary protection and convenient controls. Then what is different? But the heating principle itself differs: a convector heats the atmosphere, a micathermic battery warms the objects in the room. The convector quickly heats the room, but all the hot air rushes upward, according to the laws of physics. This means that your feet will be cold for the first time. But the IR battery only heats those objects that are in front of it, and it turns out that if you turn one side towards it, the other will freeze. What is the conclusion from this? Yes, the simplest one is to buy devices that combine these two types of heating. You really can't go wrong.
If you still have good advice on this issue, write in the comments!
