Blowers and heaters are two different types of electrical appliances. A hot air blower refers to any device that blows air, whereas a hot air heater is any device that creates heat as its primary function.
Hot air blower can effectively blow hot air; thus its lower part directs the heated air from the heater part into a specific direction.
A hot air heater is capable of heating air in a room just as the name suggests. Air heaters are mostly used in quite cold areas, and they are more effective in an enclosed room.
Below are the differences between a hot air blower and hot air heater and how to choose which one is the best for you:
Hot Air Blowers
Some heaters package both the air source and the heating element into a single tool ranging from small hand tools (400W) to large hand industrial units (10kW) elements.
Most blowers are simple so, if you need one that has both the package, you’ll have an expert perform some flexibility on your heater by installing both the blower and the air source for effectiveness.
Hot Air Heaters
Most air heaters will only provide you with the heating component; therefore, you’ll need to have an external source of air supply. While the external source of air adds a layer of complexity to the heating system design, the system designer also gets the freedom of molding it to detailed design.
In most cases, the developed heat system will provide you with exact kilowatts required to deliver the necessary amount of air.
Choosing the Right Heater
There are several decisions you need to take into consideration as a heat system designer when selecting the right heater:
1. The volume of Air Flow
Depending on your choice, the application will either point towards the high flow direction (open element) or low flow direction (fully supported component). For instance:
- When high temperatures are needed, your device will automatically turn to the fully supported element.
- When a large cavity needs to be filled with hot air, your heater will switch to the open part.
2. Compatibility of Air Sources
Compressors
Heaters with compressed air might be the right option for you especially if there are in extreme space restrictions. The bad news though is that they are not recommended for you due to the high associated energy cost and the risk of contamination by water or air, which can damage your air heater.
Blower
For effectiveness, select a blower that pairs with your air heater. Make the right choice to avoid the destruction of your air heater. Ensure that you’re provided with specifications for minimum and maximum airflow requirements for your selected heater.
3. On-board Thermocouple
Most industrial heaters can be found with or without an onboard thermocouple. Therefore, making the right choice will keep you from spending more than required.
4. Built-in Temperature Controls
While some heaters have the onboard thermocouple, there are also heaters with onboard temperature controls. Usually, heaters with onboard temperature controls are paired with feedback from a built-in thermocouple.
Final Thoughts
Most people are confused when choosing the right heaters. The above factors will help you get your desired heater even though the initial cost might be expensive.