Types of heating
There are more options to heat your home than just central heating. The different ways to heat your patio or a room in your home are discussed in this article. The function, operation, possible installation, advantages and disadvantages, properties and user-friendliness are described for each heater. These different heaters are explained here:
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Mirror heating
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Kitchen boiler
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Infrared heating
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Ceiling radiator
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Finned tube heater
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Heating cable
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Patio heater
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​Mirror heating​​​​
It is possible to mount a mirror heater on the bathroom mirror. By heating a bathroom mirror, condensation is prevented, for example during showering. This heater can easily be switched on via the light switch of the lamps above the mirror if they are present. If necessary, the heater can also be switched on at the same time as the bathroom lighting so that you do not forget to switch on the mirror heater when you take a shower. A mirror heater is an electrical component that is glued to the back of the mirror. The heater consists of a thin foil layer (1 mm thick) with a grid of wires, which is comparable to the rear window heater of a car.
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How mirror heating works
The heater has a fast warm-up time of five minutes. In a short time the mirror temperature is brought to 40°C. The mirror does not get warmer, so it remains safe to touch the mirror without burning yourself.
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Mounting the mirror heating
The mounting and connection is relatively simple. It is important that there is an electrical connection behind, or at least close to the mirror. The mounting is explained step by step below.
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Step 1: Removing the protective film
There is a protective film on the adhesive side of the mirror heating that needs to be removed.
Tip: Only remove the film when you are ready to actually stick the mirror heating on at that moment. We believe that it doesn't take much imagination to imagine what can happen as long as the adhesive side is unprotected.
Step 2: Gluing the heating element
After removing the protective film, stick the heating on the back of the mirror, so not on the side where you can see yourself!
Note: If the mirror is so large that you need multiple heating mats, you might think that you have to overlap the mats so that no strip of the mirror remains unheated. However, that is not necessary at all, you can simply stick them against each other. Or even with a little space between the mats, because as you can see in the image below, the heating surface does not consist of a continuous surface but of 'strips', and there is also space between them.
Step 3: Connecting the heating
Connect the mirror heating using a welding clamp, just like with the mirror lighting. Preferably connect the heating to the bathroom lighting. This way you can't forget to turn the heating on when you take a shower, but especially not forget to turn it off. Otherwise your mirror heating will be consuming energy all day (or maybe even days) and that costs (apart from the solar panels you may have) of course unnecessary money.
Infrared heating
​Infrared heating can be applied in two ways. It can be used as main heating, but also as additional heating. As additional heating, you use the panels in addition to the normal (central) heating in your home.​
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Convection or infrared heating
Infrared panels as additional heating
The heat emitted by the infrared panels makes it possible to set the central heating up to three degrees Celsius lower. The temperature of the central heating can be lowered because the heat of the infrared feels more pleasant. Because you use the heating less often, you save on gas consumption. In addition, you can switch each panel on or off separately. This means that you only heat the room that is needed, and not the entire house. This makes heating with infrared heating economical. Then we hear you think: "but I can also control that per room with a radiator?". Yes, that is correct... but there are more disadvantages. Suppose you want to use a room unexpectedly, for example the hobby room. Then such a room is not just up to temperature with a radiator, then it will take you quite some time. With an infrared panel that is at most 10 minutes, which saves a lot of time and patience. And then there is another disadvantage: if you leave the room again because you are finished in that room, the radiator will remain warm for a very long time, while no one uses that heat anymore. A shame, isn't it?
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Infrared panels as main heating
To use infrared heating as your main heating, a number of factors are important to keep an eye on. For example, it is important to calculate how much power and how many panels are needed to heat the house. It is also important to know where you can best place a panel and, not to forget: how well your house is insulated. Infrared heating is much more profitable when your house is well insulated.
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Placement of panels
Infrared panels are attached to the wall or ceiling. With infrared heating, only the objects that are within the range of the panels are heated. That is why it is important to keep the panels free-standing. That is why infrared panels are often chosen for the ceiling.
Advantages of infrared heating:
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Each panel can be set separately for each zone of your home. This saves energy and is a sustainable way of heating.
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It is a great solution and it is maintenance-free. This means that you do not have to regularly top up the water, as with central heating, and therefore do not have to bleed it.
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You do not hear or smell infrared heating. You do not hear the sound of a pump, you do not hear water flowing through the radiators or the opening and closing of smart thermostat buttons.
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Infrared heating can be set and programmed with an app. A clock program provides a basic temperature, which is often three degrees Celsius lower than in a centrally heated room. The comfort temperature can of course be set as desired.
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An infrared panel is easy to assemble, connect and operate. Each room with this heating method can be set separately in terms of temperature.
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Disadvantages of infrared heating:
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It is a 'different way' of heating than with central heating, which may take some getting used to.
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Infrared heating is possible throughout the house, but if you do that, extra adjustments in the meter cupboard and extra electrical points are required.
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The ceiling is usually the best place to mount this heating. To use it like this, a ceiling of sturdy wood or concrete is required. If you want to use this with a stretch or plaster ceiling, it is advisable to consult an expert.
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Kitchen boilers
A kitchen boiler is a relatively small device, which is made to quickly deliver hot water in the kitchen. By using kitchen boilers, it is prevented that the central heating boiler has to be switched on for daily tasks such as washing dishes, preparing food and especially: washing hands.
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Function of kitchen boiler
A boiler in the kitchen saves time and water compared to asking for water from the central heating system. The boiler can quickly supply hot water when needed. A kitchen boiler is relatively small in size, which makes it possible to place it under the sink in the kitchen cupboard.
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How a kitchen boiler works
A boiler in the kitchen works by keeping a certain amount of water at the set temperature continuously. This is done by means of an internal thermostat. A kitchen boiler is usually connected to the cold water pipe, but can also be connected to the hot water pipe of the central heating. This is called a 'hotfill' system. When there is a demand for water, the preheated water flows from the boiler to the tap. Most kitchens use a boiler with a capacity of 5 to 15 litres. It is best to adjust the capacity based on the water needs of the household. Preheating the water is done electrically by definition.
Connecting a kitchen boiler is relatively simple. If you do not feel like doing it yourself, it is advisable to have the connection carried out by a recognised professional.
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​​Ceiling spotlight​
​A ceiling radiator heats that which is within the radiation range. Ideal for quickly heating rooms that are not used continuously. The perfect solution if there is not much space on the wall. A ceiling radiator is comparable to an infrared panel. Because the infrared panel of a radiator has a high surface temperature, it is very suitable for mounting at a height of up to 40 meters. A radiator is also very suitable for placing in a system ceiling. The ceiling radiator can inconspicuously heat rooms such as offices, schools, industrial halls and swimming pools. A ceiling radiator can have a capacity of more than 2400W and has a protection class of at least IP55.
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​Finned tube heater
Ribbed tube heaters are placed in damp areas. The heater is robust, dust and waterproof. The exterior is made of stainless steel and is corrosion resistant. The ribbed tube heater is known for its excellent heat distribution and is suitable for wall and floor mounting. There must be enough space around the heater, this improves the heat transfer to the air. The heater is often used at petrol stations, lift shafts, garages, industrial halls, engine rooms, ships, etc. The rib diameter is 120 mm and the device has a protection class of at least IP66.
There are different types of ribbed tube heaters, they are shown below:
Heating cable
Do you want to prevent freezing and damage to your outdoor taps and/or pipes? Then a heating cable (also called heating tape, frost-free tape, heating cable, frost cable or heating wire) offers the perfect solution. Simply install the heating cable along the pipe(s) you want to protect and they will not freeze. Heating cables can be divided into two types, MF and FV. The differences are shown below:
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MF: With fixed resistance value
In this version, the heating cable has a resistance wire. The cable is made of flexible material and may not be shortened. The main function of this cable is to heat and in certain cases it can also be used as frost protection. The structure of an MF cable is: sheath - shielding - insulation fiber - insulation teflon - cores. -
FV: Self-regulating carbon body
The FV version is a heating cable that uses a temperature-dependent element. The cable is stiff and delivers more power (heat) as the temperature drops. The FV variant is not suitable as underfloor heating. The structure of an FV cable is: sheath - metal shielding - insulation - resistance body.
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Heating tape
In addition to a heating cable, a heating tape is also an option to use. A thin heating tape delivers 10W per meter and is equipped with a connection cable with an earthed plug. This tape heats as soon as the temperature drops below +5 °C. A heating tape is suitable for heating long water pipes in, for example, a cellar, a stable, riding school or chalet and thus protecting them against freezing. The heating tape is mounted along the water pipe, and then the pipe is insulated. A heating tape works best with metal pipes.
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Patio heaters​
Patio heaters come in different models and designs. You can choose from a facade model, a patio heater, a hanging model, a parasol heater, the table model and heaters as a standing table.
There are a number of differences between a patio heater and a terrace heater. To make choosing a heater or heater easier, it is important to know what you actually want to heat. You may need heaters or heaters for a closed or an open terrace.
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Open terrace
For an open terrace, a terrace heater with short wave is the most suitable. These give radiant heat. This means that all surfaces that receive the radiation become warm. The heat is comparable to solar heat.
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Closed terrace
If you have a closed patio, it is best to choose patio heaters with a long wave. These heat the air instead of giving direct heat. Patio heaters with a long wave heat the entire space and are comparable to central heating. In addition, these types of heaters give little to no light.
In addition to the choice between patio heaters for an open or closed patio, there are other options. Depending on the wishes and use, a fixed or mobile patio heater can be chosen. Fixed patio heaters are mounted on a wall or on the ceiling. A surface-mounted or built-in installation can be chosen.
Mobile patio heaters are easy to move. A patio heater is the most mobile and it works on a gas bottle. The gas bottle is easy to replace.
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Height of a heater
When hanging heaters, you need to take the power into account. Below are the heights that fit the different powers:
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1,500W: 2.10 meters
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2,000W: 2.50 meters
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3,000W: 2.70 to 3 meters
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The size of the terrace determines how many watts are needed to heat the entire surface.
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Less than 6 m²: 1,500 or 2,000 Watts
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6 to 8 m²: 2,000 or 2 x 1,500 Watt
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8 to 9 m²: 2 x 1,500 Watt
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For gas patio heaters, an average of 500W per m² is calculated, because this heating is less direct than electric heaters.