Convection vs. Ceramic Space Heaters What’s the Difference?

There are several types of space heaters on the market. Choosing the right one for your home can be a daunting task. Let’s try to clear some things up!

Are Ceramic Heaters and Convection Heaters the Same?

Ceramic heaters and convection heaters differ in how they generate heat. Ceramic heaters use electricity to heat a ceramic plate, emitting heat into the room.

However, a convection heater uses a fan to blow air over the heating element, warming the air fast and spreading it.

What Is a Ceramic Heater?

A ceramic heater is a heating device that uses a custom ceramic conductor to generate heat. It relies on resistive heating when an electrical current is passed through a conductor.

As the current flows through the ceramic plate, it begins to heat up. The heat is then transferred to the surrounding air.

Ceramic heaters can be highly effective at heating small and medium-sized spaces such as small rooms, offices, and bedrooms. 

They are often preferred for their ability to distribute heat across a target area, energy efficiency, and low maintenance requirements.

In addition, ceramic heaters tend to be safer than other heating devices since they do not contain any harmful chemicals or flame sources.

Overall, a ceramic heater is a versatile and robust option for keeping your home comfortable all year round.

What Is a Convection Heater?

A convection heater is a heating device that uses warm air currents to heat a space. They work by blowing air over a heating element, rapidly heating the surrounding air.

As the heated air rises, it is quickly replaced by cooler air, drawn into the heater and heated.

The result is a constant flow of warm air that spreads throughout the space, allowing heat to be distributed evenly and efficiently.

Because convection heaters do not rely on direct contact with a flame or other heating elements, they are considered much safer than other space heaters.

With proper maintenance and care, a convection heater can be an excellent choice for providing warmth in your rooms for more extended periods.

Is a Ceramic Heater a Convection Heater?

Ceramic heaters are generally a type of convection heater. They work by circulating air around a room using a fan. The air is heated by passing it over a heating element, such as coils or a ceramic plate. The warm air is then circulated back into the room, providing a steady warmth flow.

Ceramic heaters are efficient convection heaters and are often used in home and office settings. While they are not the only type of convection heater, they are one of the most popular.

Thanks to their efficiency and affordable price, ceramic heaters are a standout option for those looking to add a heater to their home.

Ceramic vs. Convection Heaters (Pros and Cons)

Let’s take a look at the advantages and drawbacks of each type of heater so you can make a good choice for your home.

Ceramic Heater

Pros

• They are very efficient and can heat a room quickly
• Lightweight & easy to move
• They are very affordable

Cons

• It takes time to heat up
• Not ideal for large rooms

Convection Heater

Pros

• They evenly distribute heat throughout the room
• They are very quiet
• It’s also possible to install these on the wall, saving you some room

Cons

• They can take a while to heat up a room
• They can be a little more expensive than ceramic heaters

Depending on your needs, either a ceramic or convection heater could be the best option. For example, if you need a heater that will quickly heat your room, then a ceramic heater would be the way to go.

However, if you are looking for a quieter option, a convection heater would better suit your circumstances.

Ceramic vs. Convection Heaters: Efficiency

As discussed, ceramic heaters are space heaters that use electricity to heat a ceramic plate. These plates then radiate heat into the room. Convection heaters, on the other hand, work by circulating hot air within the room using a fan.

Both ceramic and convection heaters are efficient in their own ways. 

Since ceramic heaters work by heating a ceramic plate and generating heat, these types of heaters are very efficient at quickly heating a small area. 

On the other hand, convection heaters work by heating the air and circulating it around the room using a fan. Thus, this type of heater is very efficient at heating a large area quickly. 

Both types of heaters effectively heat a room, but the kind of heater you choose should be based on your specific needs.

Types of Ceramic Heaters

There are essentially two types of ceramic heaters:

Ceramic Heater With Fan

Ceramic heaters come in all shapes and sizes. The most common type is the one that uses a fan. This type of heater has a fan that blows air over a heated up metal coil. The coil then radiates the heat into the room. 

These heaters are very effective at heating a small space quickly. However, they can be noisy and tend to dry out the air.

We also have infrared ceramic heaters. These types of heaters use an infrared element to emit waves of heat.

These heat waves travel through the air and get absorbed by objects in the room. Infrared ceramic heaters are very effective at quickly heating a vast space, but they can be expensive.

Ceramic Heater Without Fan

Another type of ceramic heater is one that comes without a fan. Instead, the heater uses a ceramic element to radiate heat into the room. These heaters are much quieter than fan heaters, but they take longer to heat a room.

Ceramic heaters without fans are typically more energy-efficient since they don’t use electricity to power a fan. However, they can take longer to heat up because they rely on natural convection to circulate the air. Those with a fan often heat up faster since the fan helps to circulate the air. 

Still, they may not be as energy-efficient since they use electricity to power the fan.

When choosing a ceramic heater, it’s essential to consider your needs and preferences to help you find the best option for you.

Types of Convection Heaters

Here are some of the widely used convection heaters:

Oil Heater

An oil heater, also known as a radiant heater, uses radiant heat to warm a room. Radiant heat is thermal radiation, which means it’s a form of energy that travels through the air and heats objects in its path.

Radiant heaters work electrically and contain an oil-filled radiator. The oil is heated by electricity, and the radiator emits the heat into the room.

Oil heaters are very effective at quickly heating large rooms, but they can be expensive to run. They’re also not as energy-efficient as other convection heaters since they use electricity to power the heater. 

The heaters are usually portable, so homeowners can move them from room to room. However, oil heaters can be dangerous if not used properly, so reading the instructions carefully before using them is crucial.

Panel Heater

Convection heaters come in many different forms, but one of the most popular types is the panel heater.

Panel heaters work without a fan. Instead, they rely on natural convection to circulate the air. First, the heater heats a metal element, then transfers the heat to the surrounding air. 

The warmer air rises and circulates the room while the cooler air sinks and is drawn back into the heater. 

Panel heaters are very energy-efficient since they don’t use a fan to circulate the air. However, they can take longer to heat a room since they rely on natural convection. 

Still, they are an effective and efficient way to heat a small or medium-sized space, and people can use them in both homes and businesses. Panel heaters are available in various sizes and styles to suit any need and can be mounted on walls or even placed on floors.

If you’re looking for an efficient way to heat your home or office, a panel heater may be perfect.

Conclusion

There are many different kinds of heaters available on the market today, and it can be tough to choose the right one for your needs.

If you’re looking for a heater that will be energy-efficient and last for a long time, then a ceramic heater might be the best option for you. However, a convection heater would be better if you need something that can heat up quickly and evenly. 

Ultimately, it all comes down to what your specific needs are. Do some research on the different types of heaters available and decide which one is right for you.