Gas heaters for summer cottages: which is better

Household heaters help to heat the country house during the cold season. The traditional heating system, due to the need for its constant operation, is economically unjustified in a suburban building, where the owners appear occasionally, for example, on holidays. A good solution to the problem is a gas heater for a summer residence, powered by natural and bottled gas.

An overview of the varieties of gas heaters for residential buildings

There are many types of gas heaters that can be successfully used to heat a country house. An inexperienced person, having come to the store, is lost with the choice of a suitable model. We will now talk about all the popular varieties and how to choose a good gas heater.

Catalytic heaters

Such a heater is capable of operating not only on gas, but also on gasoline. Catalytic units are versatile in use and can be successfully used in living quarters, garages, workshops and other buildings. Naturally, to heat the house, it is better to connect the heater to the gas pipeline in order to avoid the unpleasant smell of gasoline. One catalytic heater is optimally used to heat a room up to 20 m22.

Important! Catalytic combustion is silent with no flame, however, a large amount of heat is generated. This combustion process is often referred to as superficial.

In addition to efficiency, catalytic gas heaters for summer cottages are highly safe. The units do not explode, they are environmentally friendly, and can work even from a bottle of liquefied gas. The heating element of the heater is a fiberglass and platinum catalytic panel. More recently, heaters with deep oxidation catalysts, which lack platinum elements, have appeared. To increase performance, some heaters are equipped with a fan for better heat dissipation. Such models have an increased power of up to 4.9 kW.

Ceramic infrared heater

If a mobile heating device is required, then an infrared gas cylinder heater for summer cottages will be the ideal choice. Infrared units do not need to be connected to the electricity grid or the central gas pipeline. The heater is powered by a bottle of liquefied propane-butane gas. It is very convenient to take a couple of small cylinders with you into the car, fill them up and bring them to the dacha.

Important! Ceramic infrared heaters work not to heat the air itself, but to supply heat using infrared radiation.

Infrared radiation helps to efficiently use the thermal energy obtained from the combustion of the gas. In addition, a localized heat zone quickly forms around the heater, even if the entire room is still cold. Thanks to this efficiency, infrared heaters help keep warm on the veranda, terrace or gazebo. Arriving with a company at the dacha in late autumn, you can comfortably relax outdoors by placing a pair of gas infrared heaters in the gazebo.

The construction of the IR heater consists of a metal body with a gas burner. The burner is controlled by a regulating device and a valve block.The latter, by the way, are responsible for the safety of using the heater. In case of accidental overturning, malfunctions in combustion or fuel supply, the valves will cut off the gas supply from the cylinder, protecting the heater from explosion, and the room from fire.

That's all the general device of the heater, however, it is worth paying attention to the burner. This is not an easy part with holes, like a gas stove. The efficiency of such a burner will be weak, since the burnt gas would simply heat the air that rose to the ceiling of the room. To make a real heater from an ordinary burner, it is equipped with IR emitters. Special ceramic panels convert the energy of the burning cylinder gas into heat. Instead of ceramics, emitters from other materials and different structures can be used, for example, metal grids, reflectors, tubes, etc.

Gas convectors

Every year, the popularity of gas convectors is growing not only among the owners of summer cottages, but also among residents of private houses. The household gas heater has a simple structure without complex electronics, it is economical and inexpensive. The convector can be used in any room, even for heating a greenhouse. Country houses are premises that do not require constant heating. A gas convector will heat up even a large summer cottage in a short time. Some owners of private houses install convectors instead of the traditional heating system. Firstly, this approach is due to the ease of installation and lower costs. Secondly, the efficiency of convectors reaches 90%, which saves on energy costs.

The design of the gas convector consists of a cast iron chamber, inside of which the gas is burned. Cold air enters through the lower holes on the heater body and, warmed up against the hot heat exchanger, is directed upwards. Circulation of warm and cold air occurs naturally, but for greater performance, some convector models are equipped with fans.

The convector is equipped with a double-layer chimney. Fresh air enters the room through the outer layer of the chimney, and the products of gas combustion come out through the inner layer.

Heating the cottage with a gas fireplace

In addition to its direct responsibilities for heating the room, the gas fireplace also plays a decorative role. It is pleasant to sit at the dacha on a weekend and warm up by the burning fireplace. Moreover, a big plus of a decorative heater is that it does not stain the room and does not let smoke into it, as often happens with a real fireplace. The device can be used as needed at any time. Combustion products do not enter the premises, which is safe for humans.

Externally, a gas fireplace looks like a real one. There is even wood inside the firebox, but they are made of ceramics and are just an imitation. Some models of fireplaces are equipped with a scented burner that removes unpleasant odors from the room. The fireplace is capable of operating from main gas and bottled propane-butane. However, the use of liquefied gas poses some difficulties. A separate niche outside the living area will have to be made for the cylinders.

The main structural element of a gas fireplace is the firebox. The combustion temperature of gas is lower than that of wood or coal, therefore glass and metal can serve as the material for the firebox, occasionally cast iron is used. The size and shape of the firebox are not limited. It all depends on the design imagination. A gas burner is installed under the decorative wood. In cheaper models, ignition is manual. Expensive fireplaces are equipped with sensors for heat, draft, etc. They control the safe operation of the fireplace and can automatically ignite and extinguish the burner when a certain temperature in the room is reached. There are even models with a remote control.

The chimney for the fireplace is usually made of stainless steel. Due to the absence of soot, 2 corners of 90 are allowedabout... If a chimney with a large number of corners is obtained, a forced exhaust must be installed. The external design of a gas fireplace is matched to the interior of the room.

Outdoor gas heater

Coming to the country house with friends, you want to relax in the fresh air. This can be done even on a cold autumn day in a gazebo or veranda; you just need to turn on an outdoor infrared heater powered by liquefied bottled gas. Typically, these models are made of stainless steel with transport wheels on the body. At an outside temperature of +10aboutC, a gas heater is capable of heating the air around itself up to +25aboutC. The principle of heating is based on infrared radiation passing through the air. Infrared rays reflecting off objects heat them up.

An outdoor infrared gas unit operates from a 5 or 27-liter cylinder with propane-butane. The cylinder in an upright position is hidden inside the heater body. The burner is equipped with a ceramic panel and is capable of operating in three modes: low, medium and full power. Piezo ignition and control unit with sensors make the work of the outdoor heater safe and convenient.

Portable gas heaters

The efficiency of portable gas heaters in the country is quite high. A mobile device with a small cylinder can be quickly installed in any room, even take it with you on a camping trip to warm your tent.

Portable heater model

Portable gas heaters are considered tourist heaters. They can not only safely warm up the air in the tent, but they can even cook food. Travel portable heaters have several design differences:

  • the burner is directly connected without a connecting hose to a horizontally located cylinder;
  • the unit is connected to a remote cylinder using a hose;
  • heater-nozzle, screwed from above onto a vertically standing cylinder;
  • a heater with a radiator ring, similarly screwed from above onto a vertically installed cylinder.

Portable heaters are safe thanks to the safety valve block.

Gas cannon

Analogue heat gun is the gas model. The gas cannon is powered by liquefied bottled gas, it can be connected to the battery or the mains. The portable device is capable of heating the room up to 100 m3... The main disadvantage is the mandatory ventilation of the room. It is better not to use a gun in the house, it is suitable for heating farm buildings or a summer cottage building.

Depending on the model, the ignition is manual and from a piezoelectric element. Typically, the appliance is equipped with thermal protection, flame and fuel control. The minimum weight of the gun is 5 kg. For convenient transportation, a handle is attached to the product body.

How to choose a model

To decide which one is better to choose a gas unit for a summer residence, you need to read user reviews. They will tell you which of the devices works more efficiently, and where to use it optimally.

From the models we have considered, we can conclude that it is reasonable to buy street heaters only for heating gazebos or verandas. It must be borne in mind that their cost is quite high relative to room counterparts. A good option would be to buy a ceramic IR model. Its cost is less, but you can use it inside the house and on the street.

It is better to entrust heating the house only to gas convectors. Numerous reviews of summer residents will tell about this. A catalytic heater and a fireplace are quite expensive and designed for the amateur. As for portable heaters, it is better not to use them in the house or very rarely if necessary.

The video tells about the choice of heaters:

User reviews about gas heaters

Stepanov F.A., Khabarovsk
I come to the dacha in winter only on holidays. Since the site is located in a picturesque place, the whole family decided to celebrate the New Year at the dacha.I have a gas convector in every room. The thing is very convenient and economical. At an outside temperature of 170C, the room keeps + 23oC without any problems. I have not experienced it in severe frosts yet.

Alekseev S.I., Irkutsk
From the time of earnings, the Interskol TPG-15 heat gun remained. Upon arrival at the dacha, while the stove is melting, I connect the cannon to the cylinder and in a couple of minutes I warm up the room to 19 ° C. Then, of course, you have to ventilate, but it is very convenient to get heat quickly.

Give feedback

Garden

Flowers

Construction