How to choose the right heat gun: types, principle of operation

Heat gun design

At its core, any gun is a fan heater. It just has larger dimensions and greater productivity. The basic design is also the same. There are four main parts here:

body - all internal parts are hidden in it;
fan - captures cold air and then disperses the already warm air around the room;
heating element - it is located inside the housing and is responsible for heating the air masses;
control unit - allows you to configure the unit.

Of course, this is a very simplified diagram. Depending on the type of device (more on this below), many other parts may be added here.

The main difference between guns and other types of heaters is their amazing heating capabilities. If you use a device with sufficient power, it will become warm within a few minutes. Moreover, a comfortable temperature will be throughout the room, and not just next to the source.

But such productivity requires certain sacrifices, namely the expenditure of resources. Whatever sample you buy, you will have to accept that it will use energy uneconomically.

The list of tasks that can be solved with the help of such products is quite wide. They are used for heating residential premises, production workshops, greenhouses, during construction, etc.

Thermal gas guns

Gas-powered heat guns are the most common. Firstly, it is economically justified; liquefied bottled gas is much cheaper than any other type of fuel. They are designed for heating large rooms. If we consider the design of the gun in more detail, we can highlight:

high-strength steel body, the peculiarity is that it does not overheat during operation;
Piece ignition, eliminating the possibility of burns when igniting the device;
gas supply intensity regulator;
the presence of a thermostat for timely ignition and shutdown of the gun when a certain temperature is reached.

Gas heat guns are quite light, the main weight is concentrated in the gas cylinder (it comes separately), almost all models are equipped with small wheels for ease of transportation. It is prohibited to move the gas gun while it is working; all movements are carried out only when it is turned off. For normal and correct operation of the gas gun, a power supply is required (minimum consumption) - for the blower fan. Turning on, setting up, and controlling the gun is intuitively simple and clear. Easy maintenance; there are no complex specific elements in the design that require special qualifications.

Scheme of operation of thermal gas guns and general idea

Types of devices

It is worth thinking carefully about which device is more convenient and profitable to install. Each case has its own nuances that cannot be ignored.

Please note that almost all of the devices listed below require electricity. It powers the fan, ignition and security systems. So in any case you will need an outlet or a battery.

Electrical

Electric guns are the most common option in domestic settings. This is explained by a number of advantages.

Easy installation and transportation - to start using it, just connect the equipment to a power outlet.
Safety – during operation there are no combustion products, almost no oxygen is burned and there is no fire.
Compactness - compared to other varieties, such installations are small in size.
Quiet operation - again, in comparison with others, they can be called quiet: only 35–55 dB.
Continuous operation - they do not require refueling.
Wide range of models - you can choose a copy for any purpose and area.

In fact, they have only one drawback - energy consumption. If you turn on the device constantly, you can literally go broke on your electricity bills.

The voltage in the network must also be taken into account. For powerful equipment, a standard 220 V network may not be enough and 380 V will be required.

Depending on the type of heating element, the properties change. Spirals made of high-resistance alloys heat up to 300-600 degrees and affect humidity. So it would be a good idea to use a humidifier at the same time.

Products with a ceramic heating element in the form of plates reach only 150 degrees. Therefore, they are considered less fire and traumatic. At the same time, they have a long service life and outperform spirals in terms of power output. But their cost is much higher.

Gas

Gas facilities are in second place in popularity. The structure of such devices is more complex. The gas enters the burner and heats the heat exchanger. An electric fan pumps air into the chamber, and it comes into contact with the hot walls of the heat exchanger and warms up. Then he goes back to the room.

This fuel costs less than electricity: operation will become more economical. The equipment is also characterized by increased productivity and successfully copes even with a huge area. However, there are additional complications here.

The presence of gas and open flame makes operation potentially dangerous. Of course, the devices are equipped with various sensors and security systems, but they also malfunction.
During operation, oxygen is burned, which means it is necessary to provide ventilation. You cannot stay in a closed space for a long time, otherwise you will feel unwell and tired.

Pay attention to the type of gas required for operation. There are two options available here:

natural gas from a centralized pipeline;
liquefied gas from a cylinder.

Diesel

The source of energy in such units is diesel fuel. Fuel is supplied to the tank, where it is ignited using piezo ignition. Two types of heating are possible.

Direct - the flow passes directly through the combustion chamber. This ensures a higher outlet temperature and the desired effect is achieved faster. But combustion products formed during operation enter the room. Therefore, it is prohibited to use devices where people are present.
Indirect - as a result of combustion, the walls of the chamber are heated, and from contact with them the air is heated. The exhaust gas leaves through the chimney, which will have to be organized specifically for this. Such equipment is safe, but its performance is lower.

It is very important that the object is equipped with a timer and camera control function. Otherwise, the operating device must not be left unattended.

Good models are equipped with a fuel filter. This prevents nozzle clogging and prolongs service life.

Such installations are often used for large areas, since the cost of operation is quite acceptable. However, it is necessary to monitor the fuel level in the car and top it up on time.

Multi-fuel

The characteristics are similar to diesel devices. They also have direct and indirect heating and the same features.

The main difference is only in the energy source. There are units that run on gas, kerosene and waste oil.

However, if you think that the specimens fueled by waste are omnivorous, then you are mistaken. Only the fuel specified in the description is suitable. This is usually engine, hydraulic or transmission oil. But at the same time, fuel must be cleaned of mechanical impurities and water.

Infrared

A separate category consists of powerful infrared heaters. I'll tell you how these devices work. Typically, the devices heat the air accelerated by a fan. The design of infrared fans does not include a fan.

Heating occurs using infrared rays, which warm objects encountered along the way. First, the walls, floor and furniture become warm, and then they give off their heat into the space. The atmosphere changes more slowly, but objects (and people) located in the radiation zone feel the heat immediately.

The fuel here is gasoline or kerosene, which, when burned, heats up heating elements that emit infrared rays. There are also electric versions. Each option is characterized by all the advantages and disadvantages of the source used.

How to choose the right one

To choose the right heat gun for your specific purposes, you must always pay attention to a number of the following important criteria:

Form. As a rule, heat guns are available in two versions: cylindrical and rectangular. Cylindrical units are most effective for spot heating of certain areas of a room. Rectangular heat guns have a large area of heat flow distribution, so they are the best option when carrying out construction work indoors.
Mobile qualities. From this perspective, heat guns are divided into two types:
stationary heat guns can be effectively used for stable heating of rooms, however, their installation will require special installation work.
The method of heating air in heat guns can be direct or indirect. This criterion is important because, for example, it is prohibited to install heat guns with exhaust gases in rooms where there are people.
Type of fuel. This factor should be taken into account based on the rationality of use in a specific practical situation.
Noisy operation. Many high-power heat guns have a significant noise level, so their use in small rooms is not recommended.
Power. This property of heat guns must be taken into account when choosing a unit, since the efficiency of heating and drying the room will depend on it.

If the equipment fails, you can take it to a specialized workshop, or you can fix the breakdown yourself. Instructions:

Power

Its value affects the area that the equipment can handle and the heating rate.

Power value

It is indicated in all units, but we are not interested in power consumption, but in thermal power. It means the amount of heat that the device is capable of transmitting per unit of time.

Electric ones are characterized by values from 1 to 60 kW. Moreover, devices up to 5 kW are classified as household, and everything higher is classified as industrial.
Gas ones are capable of producing from 1 to 300 kW.
Diesel and multi-fuel engines produce from 10 to 650 kW. For indirect heating, the parameter does not exceed 100 kW.
Infrared ones show indicators of 1.5-50 kW.

The general recommendation for determining power is that per 10 sq. m requires 1-1.3 kW.

But such a calculation does not take into account some features that significantly affect the final result.

Volume of the room - for calculations, the height of the ceilings is no less important than the area. This is explained by the fact that warm air rises and cold air sinks. This means that in order to create a comfortable atmosphere, you will have to warm up the entire volume.
The temperature outside - it’s obvious here: the colder it is outside, the more productivity will be required.
Desired temperature - the minimum for residential buildings is 18 degrees, and for warehouses 12 degrees is sufficient.
Thermal insulation - the higher the quality of the heat-insulating elements (walls, roof, floor, windows), the less energy is spent on heating.

Formula

Armed with theoretical knowledge, you can proceed directly to the calculation. There is a formula for this:

Q = K x V x △T, where:

Q – required thermal power, kcal/hour;

K – heat dissipation coefficient;

V – room volume, cubic meters. m;

△T – the difference between the desired temperature and the outside temperature.

Here it is assumed that the gun will be the only source of heating. Otherwise, it is necessary to take into account the available capacities.

Let's talk in more detail about how to calculate each of the indicators.

The heat dissipation coefficient is a characteristic of thermal insulation. It happens:

0.6-1.0 – good thermal insulation (double brick, thick base, insulated roof, double glazing of windows);
1.0-2.0 – average (double walls, regular roof, high-quality windows);
2.0-3.0 – poor (one layer of masonry, single frames);
3.0-4.0 – lack of thermal insulation (open and semi-open places, simple buildings like a barn or hangar).

The volume of a room is calculated simply: you just need to multiply the area and the height of the ceiling.

To calculate △T, it is necessary to subtract the average temperature in the yard during the coldest period from the desired indicator inside the building.

Please note that the power calculated using this formula is expressed in kcal/hour. To convert it to kW, you must divide the resulting number by 860. As a result of this action, you will get the required kW, since 1 kW = 860 kcal/hour.

Calculation example

There is a country house with one room of 25 sq. m. m and a ceiling height of 2.7 m. It has high-quality thermal insulation (K = 0.8) and the outside temperature does not drop below -25 degrees. Inside you need to reach a value of at least 20 degrees Celsius.

V = 25 x 2.7 = 67.5 cu. m;

△T = 20 - (-25) = 45;

Q = 0.8 x 67.5 x 45 = 2430 kcal/hour = 2430 / 860 = 2.8 kW.

In the case of a complex building configuration or a huge area, it is better to buy several guns of small capacity. They will warm up the apartment faster than one powerful one.

Other characteristics

We have analyzed the main parameters: the rest do not seem so important. But if you want to approach your choice with full responsibility, then study them too.

Air flow

Shows how much air mass the device creates per hour. This characterizes the heating speed and depends on the fan.

Bandwidth should be looked at in conjunction with power. If the flow rate is high and the heating capacity is low, the outlet stream will be barely warm. There is no sense in such equipment.

This option is not available for infrared models.

Dimensions

Compact samples have low productivity. Be prepared to deal with bulkiness if you require a high-power unit. In general, weight ranges from 1 to 1500 kg.

Electric guns weigh 3-70 kg, and gas guns from 3 to 700 kg. The range of mass of liquid fuel specimens is enormous: from a modest 1 kg to 1.5 tons.

Shape and material

The body can be in the shape of a pipe or a rectangle. The first one resembles a real military weapon with its elongated cylindrical shape. It is capable of producing higher temperatures than its competitor. At the same time, rectangular devices provide more uniform heat distribution due to the increased dispersion zone.

All structures are made of metal. This is due to the danger of melting the plastic. In household models there are plastic inserts, for example, handles and switches. As a rule, they are hidden in such a way as to prevent them from becoming overheated.

Functions

Heat guns do not differ in their variety of functions. These are already quite expensive products and there is no point in complicating them with additional bells and whistles.

Increased attention is paid to ensuring safety. The devices are equipped with a switch-off option when tipping over. Liquid fuel and gas facilities are equipped with flame control: if it goes out, the fuel supply is stopped.

The thermostat helps control the heating level. As soon as the room temperature reaches the set value, the element stops working. Also, shutdown occurs if internal parts reach critical values. If you plan to leave the device unattended, then definitely buy a device with a thermostat.

Ventilation without heating allows you to mix the air in the room. And in hot weather, the device will replace your fan.

Which heat gun to choose

The heater is selected depending on the location and duration of intended use.

For a house or apartment, an electric unit would be the best option. They come in low capacity, are inexpensive and do not require special installation and use conditions.

It is also advisable to install an electric sample at the dacha, even despite the energy costs. You can consider an infrared device. Others will not be able to provide the required level of security.

For a garage that does not need to be heated continuously and is located there for more than a few hours, electric appliances would be appropriate. Moreover, the box area is usually small, so a low-power (up to 2500 W) sample will suffice.

Here are some successful examples of household devices:

Proffi PH9400 for 1,990 rubles.
DeLonghi HFX30C18.AG for RUB 3,190.
Resanta TEP-3000K for 2,300 rubles;
Ballu BHP-P-3 for 3,400 rubles;
Tropic TPC-2 for 4,300 rubles.

Heat guns are actively used during construction work. For example, for drying plastered and painted walls. In this case, the optimal purchase would be an infrared heater, which will have a targeted effect on the surface.

The equipment is also used in the installation of suspended ceilings. For living rooms up to 30 sq.m. m, electric models of 5-6 kW are suitable, and for commercial facilities 50-70 kW. But for spacious rooms over 30 square meters. A gas installation with fuel in a cylinder is suitable.

Five types of equipment suitable for construction:

QUATTRO ELEMENTI QE-1500i for 3,250 rubles;
Ballu BHP-P2-5 for 5,200 rubles;
SPECIAL IGE-10 for 4,300 rubles;
Parma TPG-30 for 7,400 rubles.

For a car repair shop, an ideal option would be a device that can be filled with used oil. It will allow you to dispose of residual liquids and reduce the cost of maintaining the stove to a minimum. But you will have to take care of quality ventilation. Diesel and gas versions can be used. Examples of such settings are:

Master WA 33 C for 99,000 rubles;
Ballu BHDP-20 for 16,300 rubles.

People do not stay in greenhouses all the time, so it is quite possible to get by with direct-heating diesel appliances. If employees will be spending a lot of time there, it is better to install a gas or indirect diesel unit. It is advisable to install them under the ceiling to prevent the plants from drying out.

Another popular category of buildings where guns are used are warehouses. Due to the huge areas and high energy costs, it is advisable to use gas and liquid fuel equipment here.

Check out the following suggestions for spaces of different sizes:

PATRIOT GS 50 633445024 for 8,600 rubles;
Kerona PRT-60K for 15,500 rubles;
Oklima SG 420 A for 59,100 rubles;
FRICO HDI235 for 462,000 rubles.

Thermal diesel guns

Diesel heat guns represent the professional segment and are characterized by high power, exceeding 10 kW. Heaters of this type are intended for hangars, industrial workshops, warehouses and premises. Thanks to their high productivity and power, they quickly cope with heating rooms and drying the required surfaces. The mobility of diesel guns presupposes the structural presence of a wheelbase. Professional high-power guns are equipped with a large-capacity fuel tank. During operation, the air can heat up to temperatures from 70°C to 260°C. Among the model range of diesel heat guns, there are models of compact sizes and high power. We can say with confidence that such models can fit in the trunk of a car.

Heat transfer occurs instantly, so they are in demand in large areas. This is one of the significant advantages when compared with heaters (guns) of other types.

Since it is impossible to avoid harmful combustion products during the operation of the gun, some diesel units are equipped with special chimneys with heat exchangers. This allows exhaust gases to be discharged to the side, outside the room.

Diesel heat guns differ in their areas of application. It is customary to divide heating into direct and indirect purposes. Diesel guns for direct use do not have a chimney and are used in non-residential premises or warehouses. In models of this type, the efficiency is close to 100%, in contrast to guns for indirect use (with a chimney) where part of the heat escapes through the chimney along with combustion products. Diesel heat guns for indirect purposes can be used in residential buildings.

Among the advantages, it is impossible not to note that diesel guns are completely independent of electricity. They are convenient to use in facilities with a large area, where the power of the electrical network may not be enough to use a powerful electric heater, or in facilities that are temporarily not electrified.

Diagram of operation of diesel heat guns