In addition to directly increasing the temperature, this miniature “eye of Sauron”, as a bonus, greatly helps air circulation.
Before purchasing such equipment, decide why you need it in the first place:
- heat an entire room or building for 24 hours
- rare use for increasing the temperature in the garage
- forced drying or heating of a specific surface or object
This also includes drying formwork or plastered walls. Well, don’t forget about fashionable stretch ceilings. All this is what you should take into account when choosing.
Such devices are called guns for a reason. Their shapes seem to resemble gun barrels that shoot out heat and mercilessly deal with the cold around them.
Operating principle of a heat gun
The operating principle of all units is very simple. The fan forces air through the heating element or combustion chamber and releases heat into the room.
Even the smallest specimens are capable of passing through themselves up to 300 cubic meters per hour.
Pay special attention to the fact that any guns, whether diesel or gas, still require electricity. Some people mistakenly think - I’ll buy such a thing for my garage, where there is no normal light, and it will immediately become warm and wonderful. No matter how it is.
In any case, you will need 220V from a generator, or batteries with an inverter. You can't do without this. Fan, piezo ignition, security systems - all this needs to be powered by something.
The only convenient option for domestic use, where no electricity is needed at all, is infrared gas heaters.
But they cannot heat large areas quickly.
And guns, unlike other heating devices, such as radiators or convectors, can warm up tens of square meters of room in just a few minutes.
The most important characteristics of such fan heaters are power and emitted air flow. They are the ones that influence the heating rate.
TOP 11 best electric heat guns for the home for 2021
The time has come to move away from general theoretical knowledge to more specific examples, figure out which company’s gun is better, and make a rating of quality representatives of this market segment. We hope that this rating will help you decide which unit is best to buy. So, here is the TOP 11 rating of the best electric heat guns for 2021.
I would like to say right away that our TOP will be limited to models up to 5 kW. Because, as a rule, higher power units require a voltage of 380 V, which is extremely rare in apartments. In private homes more often, but also not always.
11th place – ZUBR ZTP-M1-3000
The Russian company ZUBR opens our rating. In general, their branded guns sell well due to their low cost. The quality is, of course, appropriate. However, if used correctly, ZTP-M1-3000 can serve well.
A heating element is used as a heating element. There is no rattling or crackling noise during operation, and the noise is acceptable. What else should you pay attention to? You need temperature and flow control. And this is a big minus.
BISON ZTP-M1-3000
Advantages:
- Quiet operation;
- heating element;
- Convenient stand;
- Affordable price;
- Doesn't get very hot.
Flaws:
- No temperature adjustment;
- No flow adjustment;
- There are only 2 operating modes, with the first mode (1.5 kW) being useless.
Conclusion:
The Russian-made gun from the ZUBR company cannot be said to have won the hearts of consumers. However, due to the availability of ZTP-M1-3000, it successfully reserved 11th place.
[ball10 place – Quattro Elementi QE-2000C[/ball]
The next item is the heater from Qattro Elementi. It is less powerful than its counterpart below, but its operating efficiency is higher. This is due to the ceramic heating element and the ability to regulate the flow rate. Plus, ceramics dry out the air much less than a spiral or heating element. The QE-2000C is also available with a fan function. Another advantage is its compactness - the device weighs less than 2 kg.
The gun also has disadvantages, but they are mainly due to its low power.
Quattro Elementi QE-2000C
Advantages:
- Compact;
- Lightweight;
- Fast heating;
- Flow adjustment;
- Cheap;
- Ceramic heating element;
- Fan mode.
Flaws:
- Low power (it will not warm up the area declared by the manufacturer);
- The thermostat (capillary) is either missing or not functioning properly;
- Duration of continuous operation is about 20 hours.
Conclusion:
A good device with fast heating and a long service life will be useful for heating small rooms, drying objects, etc.
9th place – Resanta TEPK-3000K
The Latvian-made cannon is quite popular on the Russian market. Lightweight and comfortable TEPK, unlike the TEP series, comes with a ceramic element. Of course, this fact greatly affects the operation of the device. Dust and oxygen are not burned.
“Three-kilowatt” is capable of warming up a room of approximately (depending on insulation and other factors) up to 35 square meters.
Resanta TEPK-3000K
Advantages:
- Thermostat;
- Lightweight;
- Ceramic plates;
- Does not burn oxygen;
- Possibility of adjustment;
- Low cost.
Flaws:
- Short power cord;
- It makes noise.
Conclusion:
Confident 8th place. It is distinguished by its ceramic composition and compactness. But with reliability, not everything is so clear, that’s why it’s only 8th line.
8th place – Ballu BHP-P-3
Another giant of heating and heating technology is coming into play. By choosing a Ballu brand gun, you definitely won’t make a mistake. In particular, with the BHP-P-3, for example, the direction of the gun can be adjusted and directed to a place convenient for you. In addition, it is worth saying that the gun itself extends its service life. So, after turning off the unit, it continues to work for about 2 to 5 minutes, so the heating elements last longer.
The disadvantages include considerable cost, noise, etc.
Ballu BHP-P-3
Advantages:
- High-quality assembly;
- Does not turn off immediately - gradual heat removal;
- Warm-up area – 35 sq.m;
- Fan mode;
- "Agility."
Flaws:
- Short cord;
- Considerable cost in comparison with analogues;
- It makes a lot of noise.
Conclusion:
Ballu makes guns with integrity: execution, functionality, etc. In general, among devices up to 3 kW, BHP-P-3 is perhaps the best.
7th place – Wester TB-5/CT
The first representative of 5 kW guns was a heater from Wester. Despite the Chinese origin (today this prejudice still applies, but it is mostly dubious), the assembly was carried out to a very high quality. A range of adjustments, wear resistance and other positive qualities make the TB-5/CT a worthy competitor to well-known brands.
Its weakness was found only in the poor operation of the fan.
Wester TB-5/CT
Advantages:
- 400 cubic meters per hour;
- Capable of heating up to 50 square meters;
- High build quality;
- Reasonable cost;
- Thermostat.
Flaws:
- Poor fan operation.
Conclusion:
A reliable option for those who need constant operation of the thermal heater.
6th place – Interskol TPE-5
A good domestically produced gun, which, despite its high-quality work, is not very common. However, the unit itself should not be blamed for this. The Interskol company is not clear-cut. And some difficulties in the company and its sales market (at one time there were not many places where you could buy tools) negatively affected the demand for tools. Currently, everything is getting better, which means that power tools from this brand have a future. The same applies to TPE-5.
The five-kilowatt heater produces a capacity of 400 cubic meters. The air consumption is small - oxygen is not burned, and neither is dust. However, with such power, you need to know about the necessary network parameters: 5 kW is not low power. The downside is that for some reason the gun does not come with an electrical plug.
Interskol TPE-5
Advantages:
- High power;
- 400 cubic meters of productivity;
- 2 years warranty;
- Does not burn oxygen and dust;
- Position adjustable;
- Moderate noise;
- Fan.
Flaws:
- No plug;
- Short cord.
Conclusion:
TPE-5 is an excellent option for large areas. It is only important that the electrics are in order.
5th place – Resanta TEPK-5000K
I would like to start the description of the 5th place with Resanta. There was already one model from this manufacturer in the rating. And there is a reason to talk about the Latvian company for the second time.
TEPK-5000K contains a ceramic heater, which automatically makes its use safe for health: low noise level, no burnt air, etc.
As with the previous model, there are complaints about the quality of the device. For example, heating of the case or the serviceability of the thermostat. Nevertheless, the advice of many buyers tilts the market in favor of the growing popularity of PETK-5000K.
Resanta TEPK-5000K
Advantages:
- Fast heating;
- Ceramic plates;
- Does not burn oxygen;
- No noise.
Flaws:
- The case heats up;
- Malfunctions of various elements.
Conclusion:
TEPK-5000K is in its place in the ranking. Let's hope that the company will continue to develop and work both on the quality of existing products and on new products.
4th place – ELITECH TV 5EK
The gun from Elitech continues our ranking and brings us very close to the top three. Despite the "five" in its name, the gun produces only 4.5 kW of power. However, even with this, it can heat 45-50 square meters of room.
The heating element is made of stainless steel. This means that the operating time and service life of both the heating element and the entire gun will be higher than that of other guns.
It happens that the gun automatically switches to fan mode when it overheats. But then, for the heating to work again, you need to restart the device.
ELITECH TV 5EK
Advantages:
- Bimetallic thermostat;
- Stainless steel heating element;
- High power;
- Warms the air quickly;
- Quiet operation;
- There is a fan mode;
- Overheat protection.
Flaws:
- Does not restart automatically after overheat protection has tripped.
Conclusion:
A very good model with many advantages. Some little things were not enough to reach the top three.
3rd place – Ballu BHP-PE-5
Ballu Company confidently presents its candidate on the third step of the podium. Professionals in their field always delight us with quality products. So, for example, BHP-PE-5. The device is quite lightweight, but at the same time, durable and reliable, made of stainless steel. The gun is capable of heating an area of up to 50 square meters (the maximum possible temperature is 60 degrees). The heating element is also made of stainless steel. The manufacturer provides a 2-year warranty.
Ballu BHP-PE-5
Advantages:
- Lightness (4.5 kg);
- Stainless steel body and heating element;
- Various thermostats;
- Good protection (against overheating);
- Fan mode.
Flaws:
- The plug is missing;
- Short cord.
Conclusion:
An excellent option, and affordable.
2nd place – NeoClima TPK-5
The company that came closest to first place was NeoClima with their TPK-5. In terms of technical characteristics, it is for the most part no different from Ballu, but it comes at a price. As for the rest: the same heating area - 50 sq.m., the same reliable thermostat protection, the same stainless steel heating element, etc.
The downside, albeit relative, is the “native” power plug, which will have to be converted to a regular one if there are no conditions for a power one.
NeoClima TPK-5
Advantages:
- Stainless steel heating element;
- Adjustable thermostat;
- Convenient body: handle, legs, etc.;
- 2 years warranty;
- Fan mode.
Flaws:
- Power socket;
- Noise.
Conclusion:
Whatever one may say, price means a lot these days. And if the products are similar in characteristics, but different in price, many will choose the cheaper option.
How to calculate the power of a heat gun - formula
Using the same values, you can estimate the maximum volume of the room that will effectively heat the device. In general, the right choice begins with calculating the power.
From this “stove” it’s worth dancing further. Otherwise, buy it “by eye,” and then you’ll write reviews like this on YouTube.
To visually estimate and understand what thermal power the gun will require, you can use the following table:
If you choose exactly this power, in just 1 hour the heating unit will be able to immediately raise the temperature by 15 degrees. Of course, if everything is fine with your thermal insulation.
The whole thing can be calculated more accurately using the following formula:
V
room volume in m3
T
difference in air temperature outside and the temperature that needs to be created inside, degrees C
K
coefficient heat loss of the building
860
figure for converting kilocalories/hour to kW/hour
Coeff. select heat losses based on the design of your building.
- K=3.0-4.0 - for buildings without thermal insulation
- K=2.0-2.9 - there is some thermal insulation (one-brick walls, a simple roof and a regular double-glazed window)
- K=1.0-1.9 - building with average thermal insulation (walls of 2 bricks, roof with standard roofing)
- K=0.6-0.9 - high thermal insulation (walls and roof with double thermal insulation, double glazing)
For example, let's take a metal garage with a volume of 90 m3 without any thermal insulation. The temperature difference is 30 degrees. That is, when it is -10C outside, you want it to be +20C inside.
Substituting the data into the formula, we find that to heat such a garage, you will need a gun with a power of at least 12 kW. If you have 3 phases, then you might want to consider an electric option.
If only phase-zero comes into the garage or there is no constant light at all, then you are straight ahead with a diesel or gas model.
Only after these calculations do not buy guns with a large margin, even if funds allow.
According to the instructions, each such unit has a minimum volume of heated space. If you have clearly less, you will have problems with noise, rapid oxygen burning, dizziness, etc.
There are three most common types of heat guns:
- gas
- diesel-kerosene or multi-fuel
- electric
Calculation example
The dimensions of the heated object are 10 square meters. m, and the level of its upper boundary is 3 m. Consequently, the volume of the object will be equal to 30 cubic meters. m. Let's assume that the device must heat the air in the room to at least +15°C, while the temperature outside is -20°C. Consequently, the difference between these values reaches 35°C. Let’s assume that the walls of the structure retain heat well, and the thermal conductivity multiplier will be 1 unit.
In this video you will learn the pros and cons of a heat gun:
The required power is calculated as follows : 30 multiplied by 35 and multiplied by 1, then divide the resulting number by 860. The result is 1.22 kW. This means that for a room with an area of 10 square meters. m, a heat gun with a power of 1.22 kW or more will be optimal for the best heating in winter. But at the same time, it is better to purchase a model with some reserve, for example, with a power of 1.5 kW.
If we systematize heating equipment by power, then products up to 5 kW are considered household.
Such heat guns operate from an electrical network with a voltage of 220 V. They are very easy to use in dachas, car garages, offices, and private cottages. Sometimes such units are called fan heaters. Read also: how to make a heat gun with your own hands.
It is important to understand that not every heat gun comes complete with a power cord and power plug. Please note that they will have to be purchased separately.
Gas gun
The power of gas guns ranges from several kilowatts to half a thousand. To choose the one you need for your room, you can use the previously given formula.
Although electricity is needed here, its consumption is minimal. Voltage is required to ignite and operate the fan.
Gas in such devices burns almost completely. When connected not to cylinders, but to a gas main, such a gun becomes a stationary heat source. These models are used in industrial enterprises and agriculture.
For example, they are better suited for greenhouses than others.
For private use (in a garage, in a house under construction), bottled gas - butane or propane - is also suitable. From stationary, the heater becomes mobile.
To reduce gas consumption and the flame itself, many people replace the factory frog included in the kit with an adjustable reducer.
Advantages of gas models:
- most even heat distribution
- the air is heated by a gas burner
- there is piezo ignition
- electric energy consumption no more than 0.5 kW/h
Natural gas guns can be used to heat buildings with a large number of people - shops, hypermarkets, bus and railway stations, airports.
However, do not forget that when working in confined spaces (especially a small garage or house), it is imperative to ensure a flow of fresh air. At least open and close the doors periodically.
You will still smell the gas and you will feel it by feeling slightly dizzy.
Therefore, such models in small areas are used only for quick initial warming up, and then move on to something else.
Inhalation of vapors from this gun for several hours does not remain without a trace. If you see yellow flames on a gas burner, beware of the release of carbon monoxide.
The entire flame is bluish in color - only carbon dioxide CO2 is released.
When operating a gas heater, do not forget about the effect of condensation. If you went into a garage where the temperature was -10C, and after 15 minutes the temperature increased to +20C, the formation of moisture droplets is an inevitable phenomenon.
When burning approximately 2 liters of gas, about 1 liter of water is released in the form of water vapor.
The moisture, of course, gradually disappears, but it is not recommended to immediately put “wet” equipment into operation after such warming up. Wait until it dries.
If there are any electronic devices and tools in the room, it is better to cover them with plastic.
When warming up buildings and garages from very low temperatures from -20C onwards, you may encounter another problem. The fan will have trouble picking up speed in such cold weather. During this period, you should not immediately supply gas. As soon as the blades spin, then turn on the feed.
It also happens that the thermostat freezes and the gun refuses to work. In this case, the “Kulibins” first start the 220V generator, and the relay is heated from its exhaust. After which the gun itself is launched.
Don't forget about noise. The more powerful the unit, the more noise it makes. If you are not working alone, you will literally have to shout over each other. And after an hour of such work alone, you won’t want any more heat.
Diesel gun
Diesel engines have a power from 10 to several hundred kilowatts. They are divided into direct and indirect heating models.
The greatest power is characteristic of the first. However, both types of high power are mainly used only on the street.
Direct heating guns cannot be used indoors. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, and you won't even notice how you pass out.
Indirect heating devices usually produce power up to 85 kW.
In addition to diesel, kerosene or waste oil can be used as fuel in different guns. These are the so-called multi-fuel units.
They are often bought by car service owners. You no longer have to throw away and recycle waste. Instead, they can be usefully burned.
Directly heated diesel guns have high efficiency. At the same time, pay attention that those companies that indicate specific efficiency figures, and do not write abstract values up to 100%, more than 98%, usually produce really high-quality products, which are backed by real measurements and tests.
These leading manufacturers include models of guns from Ballu Biemmedue or the American company Master.
The continuous operating period of direct combustion models reaches 10-15 hours, depending on the size of the tank. If the heater is equipped with a thermostat, then one refill can be enough for up to a day of continuous operation.
It must be remembered that in addition to burning oxygen, these models also emit exhaust gases. Sometimes you can’t help but feel as if you’re standing next to a Kamaz.
So if you decide to use it not on the street, but in a building under construction, take care of fresh ventilation and a constant supply of fresh air.
This is certainly an excellent option for the street, especially for warming up frozen cars in winter. No gas cylinders or reducers for you.
Design and types of heating guns
The principle of operation of heat guns is similar to the operation of convectors, but they have a different shape - most often they are made in the form of a cylinder. This device has a heat source and a fan installed behind it. The heat source can be a heated coil, a heating element (tubular electric heater), or fuel burning in a burner. Energy resources are converted into heat, and a running fan actively “blows” this heat into the room. Due to this, the temperature in the room quickly rises. That’s why heat guns are used to heat rooms in emergency mode.
Electric heat gun device
More complex models may have multiple fan speeds, a thermostat that allows you to control the temperature, and other bells and whistles. They are more convenient and often more economical. These heat guns can be used to heat residential areas. But they have little effect on the principle of operation. They work on different types of energy carriers:
- Electricity: from 220 V (power up to 8-10 kW);
- from 380 V (power above 10 kW).
- on gas (natural and liquefied);
There are not only round ones, but also rectangular ones.
Despite the fact that all equipment bears the same name, there are serious differences and their own advantages and disadvantages. There are also nuances in terminology: electric heat guns are often called fan heaters, and when they talk about heat guns, they mean gas or fuel models. But this is not always the case, since electric heat guns in the standard cylinder-shaped version bear little resemblance to traditional fan heaters.
Electric models and how they differ from fan heaters and convectors
First, let's look at the difference between heat guns and other heating electrical appliances. If you look at its structure, we can say that they are designed almost exactly the same as fan heaters. Both here and there, there may be a spiral or heating element, or a fan. So what are the differences?
Basically, the difference is in power and purpose. A fan heater is a not very powerful device designed for heating small and medium-sized rooms. It is often used when the main heating system does not cope with its task - in cold weather or in the off-season. Fan heaters are designed to last a long time and maintain the required temperature. At the same time, the temperature rises smoothly, since the power of heaters of this type is small.
The difference between electric guns and fan heaters is power
Heat guns are powerful devices (from 5 kW and above) and are able to warm up the air in a room or garage very quickly. But maintaining the temperature with their help is not very convenient - high power simply does not allow you to do this accurately and smoothly enough. In a limited room, even a short-term switching on gives a sharp jump in temperature. In general, heat guns for heating residential premises are not very convenient. There are, of course, schemes for stepwise activation of heating elements. But they are rarely found in heat guns - the purpose is still different: for large industrial premises, where their power is just right. And, due to the large volumes of air, temperature jumps are not nearly as noticeable.
There is another similar device - electric convectors. Sometimes you have to choose between a heat gun and a convector. The situation with them is different. Classic convector models are designed so that the air in them moves due to natural processes - without the operation of a fan. So the difference between classic convectors and electric heat guns is the presence of a fan.
Heat guns are a good solution for heating greenhouses
In addition, since fan heaters and convectors were developed as household appliances, they have a good design. The same cannot be said about heat guns. A piece of pipe is not very attractive in appearance. During development, not too much attention was paid to appearance, the emphasis was on performance. That's all the differences between heat guns and convectors or fan heaters.
Now about the advantages and disadvantages of electric heat guns. Electric heat guns make almost no noise, do not smell, and these are their advantages. However, they are rarely used. And all because they consume a lot of electricity, and this is not cheap. In addition, not all networks can withstand the required power. In order to warm up the room quickly, you need a power of 10 kW. The minimum is 8 kW, but with such power the heating time will be much longer. In any case, few household networks can handle such a load. And certainly not a dacha electrical network (although for a small dacha you can try 5 kW models). Moreover, we must take into account that many instances are connected to three-phase networks (380 V).
Gas models
Gas heat guns are equipped with burners that operate on mains or liquefied gas. Those designed for liquefied gas can be equipped with a hose and reducer, so that for the first start all that remains is to connect the liquefied gas cylinder. Just note that for operation you need to be connected to a 220 V network: the device has an electric fan, controllers and automation, which require power. Electricity consumption is very small - even the most powerful units consume no more than 500 W per hour.
Gas heat gun device
The power of gas heat guns is from 5 to 580 kW. They can also be used for heating residential premises. The gas burns almost completely, there is an exhaust, but for low-power devices it is no more than from a gas stove, boiler or water heater. But combustion uses oxygen, so good ventilation is necessary for normal well-being.
Like any gas equipment, gas heat guns for heating rooms carry potential dangers. Therefore, most modern models are equipped with devices that guarantee safety. There is a flame presence sensor that will turn off the gas supply if the flame goes out. To save fuel and maintain a stable temperature, heat regulators are built into the devices. With their help, the temperature is set, which is automatically maintained by the control unit.
This is what the gas apparatus looks like during operation
If we talk about the features of operation, we must remember that gas in cylinders can freeze. In order to warm up, for example, a garage in cold weather, you need to bring the cylinder from a warm room.
Important! Often the gas cylinder is heated locally. those. air flow from a working gun - it can explode due to overheating. It is possible that the cylinder is overfilled and even slight heating can lead to an explosion. Unfortunately, such cases are not uncommon. The cylinder must be filled to no more than 80% of its capacity.
Diesel fuel
Diesel fuel heat guns have almost the same design as gas ones. The difference is in the burner. In it, the fuel is first sprayed into tiny droplets, this dust is mixed with air and the gas-air mixture is ignited. In this regard, diesel burners make more noise - this is a feature of the working process.
What are the benefits of diesel heat guns for heating rooms? Because diesel fuel is easy to buy. It's available at any gas station. While it is prohibited to refill household cylinders at a regular gas station, and buying them from gas companies is expensive. In addition, it’s good that diesel fuel can be bought cheaper.
But diesel heat guns for heating rooms have a significant drawback - a strong characteristic odor. He is very strong. The “starting” aroma can be removed if you light the device outdoors and bring the already operating unit indoors. But the smell that is present during work cannot be removed in any way. You can only replace diesel fuel with kerosene, but it is even more expensive. In this case, the cost of a unit of heat will be comparable to the costs of heating premises with an electric heat gun.
One of the safest use options
If diesel heat guns are still more suitable for you, you should know that they come in two types - direct and indirect heating. With direct heating, gaseous combustion products (including carbon monoxide) remain in the room; with indirect heating, they are discharged through the pipe. You understand how unpleasant and dangerous this situation is.
What is the difference between diesel heat guns of indirect and direct heating
The second option is that indirect heating heat guns are more acceptable for heating rooms. But to remove gases, you will have to pull a chimney from the gun, which is not always convenient and is also expensive. But you don’t have to worry about odors and carbon monoxide. There is almost no smell.
Indirectly heated diesel heat guns can even be used to heat a home. For this case, it is better to take universal models. They can still work on machine oil (including used oil). In addition, usually a universal model allows you to change the fan speed, burner power, and is equipped with sensors that monitor safety.
Heating guns using direct heating diesel fuel can be found with a power from 10 to 220 kW, indirect - up to 85 kW. The operating time is limited only by the volume of the fuel tank, but can usually operate up to 8-10 hours. If there is a thermostat, one tank can last for a day or so. If we talk about efficiency, then they are not the highest efficiency (efficiency factor). Compared to multi-fuel engines, diesel engines require 10-15% more fuel per unit of heat (even if the same diesel fuel is used).
Multi-fuel
Universal units that can work with any liquid fuel: diesel fuel, kerosene, engine oil. These aggregates and waste are “digested”. So they are beneficial at service stations or other enterprises where this fuel is sufficient. Their efficiency is about 100%; they can work without stopping for 10-12 hours. The power of direct-heated multi-fuel heat guns is up to 280 kW, indirect - up to 80 kW.
Multi-fuel options are more versatile
The disadvantage of such equipment is the price - significantly higher than diesel engines with similar parameters. Just remember that multi-fuel or direct-heating diesel heat guns cannot be used to heat rooms where people stay for a long time.
Disadvantages of diesel guns - how to identify
When choosing diesel guns, pay attention to the thickness of the metal. With a low-quality product, after just a few hours, the places where the fastening screws are located burn out.
You can also check the quality of the metal by the color of the plate in the gun nozzle. In bad models, this plate heats up almost immediately after the flame is applied.
For more expensive ones - after some time. This clearly indicates that there is more metal there, and therefore a greater heat capacity.
If the metal is sufficiently thick, car heaters even manage to drill holes along the edges of the gun. As a rule, candles are inserted into them for heating.
The temperature at the nozzle exit of diesel guns reaches 400 degrees. And regardless of power. The difference comes mainly in the volume of air blown. For kerosene models, the temperature is even higher, by about 20%.
No electric gun will give you such an output temperature.
What else should you pay attention to when purchasing? If the compressor responsible for supply is not configured correctly, the flame from the nozzle will be prohibitively large. This shouldn't happen.
Ask the store to adjust the unit. If it cannot be adjusted, it is better to refuse such a purchase.
In the event of an emergency shutdown and the flame goes out, check that the fan continues to operate. Otherwise, components may melt, sensors may leak, and the housing may become deformed.
High-quality models are equipped with fine filters for diesel fuel. Thanks to this, the nozzle does not become clogged and works properly.
Cheaper copies at most have a small mesh on the fuel intake at the bottom. This is also explained by the difference in the principle of fuel supply.
Those with filters use a fuel pump capable of pumping diesel fuel through the filter. But compressor engines simply don’t have enough power for this.
Well, good models don’t launch right away. First, their automation system checks all the parameters of the sensors that are crammed into this gun. Plus, the network voltage is monitored, whether it is normal or not. So as not to burn the fan.
Indirectly heated diesel guns - features
Multi-fuel indirectly heated guns have one distinctive feature, namely a gas outlet.
Their design includes a chimney. Due to this, only warm air that does not contain exhaust gases enters the room.
However, there are certain problems with the output of such a pipe. You will have to stock up on a sufficient number of large diameter corrugated hoses. Approximately 120-125mm. Moreover, it is strictly not recommended to underestimate the size.
Owners of floor-standing air conditioners face similar difficulties in the summer.
The pipes are being removed at whatever speed.
Only for the heat gun corrugation, you will also have to use a fire seal. For example asbestos.
The indirect heating gun operates for up to 16 hours. Everything also depends on the tank. Diesel and other solid fuel options must be equipped with burner flame control systems.
For this purpose, the combustion chamber is controlled by a special photocell.
When the fire dies out, the gun automatically turns off. To protect electrical circuits from short circuits, a fuse can be built-in.
Indirect heating guns with all such protection can already be used in places where people stay.
But do not forget that combustion still burns oxygen. Therefore, there is no way to do without good ventilation. Unless you place the unit outside and supply only warm air to the room.
Infrared diesel guns
But what if you need to heat something outdoors, especially in strong winds? Simple gas and diesel models will be powerless here.
You will need a device that runs on liquid fuel, where heating occurs by converting the energy of the burned fuel into infrared radiation.
That is, a gun, like the sun, will not heat the air, but the objects that are in its zone of action.
This infrared gun does an excellent job of heating batteries and pipes.
How to choose
After you have decided on the type of energy carrier on which the heat gun will operate, you still need to decide about the power. First you need to know how much you need to raise the temperature and how quickly you want to do it. Further on the table we look at what power the instance will provide you with the desired mode. The table shows data for increasing the temperature over an hour. If you want to speed up the process, you will have to double the power. After this, you should look through the offers and estimate the prices. If everything suits you, great. No - you will have to adjust your desires.
Power selection table depending on heating rate and temperature delta
For example, let’s calculate how much power a unit is needed to heat a garage with an area of 12 square meters and a height of 2.5 m in winter. The lowest temperatures for visiting a garage are about 18°C; it is advisable to warm it up to +15°C in at least half an hour. So, the calculation:
- Temperature delta - 32°C, volume 12 * 2.5 = 30 cubic meters, which means we need the first line.
- Since the table shows the thermal power for heating by 15°C, we double the power. It turns out we need 6 kW. But this is for heating in 1 hour.
- To be able to warm up in 30 minutes, we double the power again. It turns out that we need a 12 kW heat gun.
In reality, you can take it in the range from 10 to 15 kW, taking into account insulation. If there is no insulation at all, it is better to take a more powerful one or you will have to wait longer. In general, heat guns for heating rooms usually take from 8 to 15 kW of power. More productive ones are simply not needed for domestic purposes.
What to pay attention to
If you have decided which heat guns for heating rooms suit you best, it is worth thinking about what properties or additional functions will be useful. Some - monitoring the presence of a flame and turning off when the position changes - should be mandatory. The rest are optional. We will describe the possible options, and you will choose the ones that are relevant to you.
- Ignition type . There is a piezo ignition, there is a manual one. The most optimal is piezo. Doesn’t raise the price too much, is convenient, reliable, easy to check and adjust.
- Thermostat and auto shut off. On the thermostat you set the desired temperature for heating the air in the room. When this value is reached, automatic shutdown occurs. After the temperature has dropped a few degrees, the equipment turns on again. This is a useful option that reduces energy costs and increases the level of comfort. It's just that the price goes up too. But if you are looking for heat guns for heating residential premises or for rooms in which you stay for a long time, these components are required.
Even the little things matter - Overheat protection . Depending on the type of coolant, various parameters are monitored. In gas and diesel models, the temperature inside the housing is controlled. In electric ones, the heating of the body itself can be controlled, less often - of the coil or heating element. In any case, when the threshold value is reached, the operation stops. This is good from a safety point of view and helps prevent the device from burning out or damaging any of its components.
- The capacity of the fuel tank is an important parameter for heat guns operating on liquid fuel. On the one hand, the larger the tank, the longer the unit can operate. On the other hand, larger dimensions and weight. So we are looking for a reasonable compromise.
- Anti-corrosion coating and thermal insulation of the body
. Thermal insulation is desirable to avoid getting burned when in contact with operating equipment. - Light indication of operation, fuel level (in diesel and multi-fuel), temperature. Very useful options that practically do not affect the cost. But they allow you to monitor the performance of the device.
Since all heat guns require a connection to 220 V, you need to pay attention to the length of the power cord. For gas models, another important parameter is the length of the gas hose. For convenient movement of fuel models, wheels are desirable; a handle would be useful. These are the little things that make operation more comfortable, and when choosing heat guns for heating rooms, do not forget about them.
