Space heating 5224564 225222495 2008-07-12T15:23:12Z Claush66 704524 /* See also */ Remove commercial link [[Image:SpaceHeater.JPG|right|250px|thumb|An electric space heater]] {{Unreferenced|date=June 2008}} '''Space heating''' is the [[heating]] of a space, usually enclosed, such as a house or room. A '''space heater''' keeps the air and surroundings at a comfortable temperature for people or animals, or even plants in a [[greenhouse]]. Space heating generally warms a small space, and is usually held in contrast with [[central heating]], which warms many connected spaces at once. Space heating does not include [[water heating]], unless it is used for [[hydronics|hydronic heating]]. ==Heater types== While central [[boilers]] that heat buildings and houses heat space, the term space heater is normally used to refer to relatively small heaters, especially those that are portable or wall-mounted. These space heaters may use [[natural gas]] or [[propane]], but they are most commonly electric. [[Electric heating|Electric heaters]] are safer because there is no danger of [[carbon monoxide poisoning]]. They are also cheaper to buy. However, they are often far more expensive to operate, because electricity is typically more expensive per unit of heat energy produced than gas or propane. Modern electric space heaters usually have [[ceramic]] [[heating element]]s rather than [[nichrome]] [[wire]]s, and are fan-forced with a [[blower]] or [[squirrel-cage fan]]. These distribute heat much more evenly, and allow them to be encased in [[plastic]], nearly eliminating the chance of [[burn]]s or [[fire]]. Window and wall units, often seen in [[hotel]] rooms, are permanent space heaters. These often employ [[heat pump]]s, which use reverse-cycle [[air conditioning]] to provide heat to the inside rather than the outside. Propane space heaters are generally one of two types, radiant (infrared) or circulation-type space heaters. Infrared propane space heaters function to heat objects which in turn heats the surrounding air whereas circulation type space heaters heat the air directly using a fan or convection. Additionally, propane space heaters are either vented or unvented. Unvented space heaters are low capacity heaters used to heat living areas but are not allowed in bedrooms, bathrooms or confined spaces due to fire danger and the possible accumulation of flue gases at high levels. [[Kerosene heater]]s were once common, but may easily cause a fire, and must be completely cooled before being refueled. == District heating == In some countries [[district heating]] is a major source of space heating. This is especially the case in [[Scandinavia]]. District heating systems make it possible to distribute all of the energy for space heating as well as [[water heating]] from waste heat from industries, [[power plants]], [[incinerator]]s, [[geothermal heating]] and [[central solar heating]]. ==Efficiency== In most areas, [[fossil fuel]]s are burned to create heat, which is used to boil water and create [[steam]] to turn a [[turbine]] that turns a [[electrical generator|generator]] that produces electricity. The [[efficiency]] for the process ranges from about 20 to 60%. Another 5 to 15% is lost in [[electric power transmission|transmission]], depending how far the [[power station|power plant]] is from the user. [[Gas heater]]s on the other hand, use the heat from combustion to directly heat the space through [[convection]], which is much more efficient than [[electric heating]]. In [[combined heat and power]] (CHP) plants the energy lost in e.g. turbine driven power plants is utilized for [[district heating]]. When space heating is supplied by district heating from CHP plants, the total energy efficiency approaches 100 % (and may even exceed 100 % based on the [[lower heating value]] of the fuel). CHP is a major part of the strategy for [[energy conservation]] and [[global warming]] prevention in [[Scandinavia]] - and increasingly in the rest of [[Europe]]. ==See also== *[[Central heating]] *[[Solar combisystem]] *[[District heating]] [[Category:HVAC]] [[Category:Residential heating]] [[da:rumopvarmning]]