Micathermic heater: reviews and operating principle of an infrared heater. TOP 10 rating of the best models for 2022

Since ancient times, during the cold season, people have been looking for a way to heat their homes. For this purpose, heat from burning wood, peat and coal was used. With the development of the steam era, coal boilers and steam heating appeared. It became possible to separate the place of fuel combustion and the place of heating in space, this significantly increased the comfort in living quarters. The next revolution in heating occurred with the development of domestic gas. And finally, electric heaters appeared - the most efficient converters of electricity into heat today. One of the latest inventions is infrared heaters and their variety - micathermic.

Where is the best place to install a micathermic heater?

Micathermic heaters are ideal for:

Country houses.
Garages.
Production sites.
Any premises without central heating.

The following types of infrared heaters are distinguished:

Cylindrical heaters emit waves in all directions at once. The mica plates inside the devices are arranged in a circle, so the room is heated evenly.
Flat infrared heaters have a directional effect. The angle of radiation varies depending on the placement of the device. There is no mica lined on the end sides, so the heater does not propagate waves from the side plates.
Wall heaters are manufactured flat. Thermostats, control units and other electromechanical sensors are mounted at the ends of the device. Some models of micathermic radiators are equipped with LCD monitors. The plates are made of nickel, which is stitched on both sides with tin or zinc oxide. Metals function as dielectrics and reflectors of heat rays.
Ceiling heaters are mounted in the ceiling. Considering the light weight of the structure, lack of heating and ease of control, a micathermic radiator will perfectly cope with its function anywhere in space.

Horror stories, advertisements and speculation

Polaris, due to direct radiation, has 2 times higher efficiency (30% less, 45% more...). As you know, the efficiency of any device that converts electricity into thermal energy is high - about 98%, regardless of its design...
Open plates burn oxygen, making it impossible to breathe. They may burn a little, dust burns on them, but this will not reduce the percentage of oxygen in the room, so do not rush to suffocate.
The Polaris device does not dry out the air (it does dry it out very much). Heaters do not dry air at all. In winter, it is dry on its own; when the temperature in the room rises, this becomes noticeable, and the humidity begins to intensively escape into the street through the structures - any heating devices are to blame...

Let's watch a better review video about the Polaris micathermic heater and think about whether you need to spend an additional 33% of money on it or just buy an oil pan...

Specifics of infrared heater

The main component of a micathermic heater is a plate consisting of several layers coated on both sides with mica. The design does not require additional coolant for beam propagation.

The plate gives off heat, but does not heat up, which makes the device an excellent radiator in an apartment. Even if a person or animal accidentally touches the heater, no one will get burned.

The plates are enclosed in a metal casing, on both sides of which gratings are mounted.

Through these holes, heat passes freely in two directions, warming objects around.
Certain types of micathermic heaters have a more advanced design: a layer on one side reflects heat, and on the other it concentrates it.
Heat flows in one direction, allowing the production of thin wall heaters with directional radiation.

A micathermic heater emits infrared radiation, which worries many buyers.

However, the infrared source inside the micathermic heat sink is enclosed in a mica housing, which significantly reduces the infrared flux and distributes it evenly. The radiation from a micathermic heater is completely safe for all living organisms.

Convector

This type of heater works by natural convection. Cold air enters the convector through special openings in its lower part, is heated and exits at the top of the convector. In this way, air moves due to convection, and the room is heated. They are water, gas (rarely) and electric. The most popular among these types of heaters is the electric convector. The design of the electric convector is a metal casing, inside of which there is a heating element. Temperature conditions are regulated using a thermostat. There is also a switch on the convector to supply voltage to the heating element. In devices with high power there may be several such elements, and, accordingly, a switch with several positions. Such design options make heat transfer more accurate and efficient.

"Pros" of a micathermic heater

Like any electrical device, an infrared battery has its positive and negative characteristics. The “pros” and “cons” of a micathermic heater lie in its unusual structure.

Advantages of an infrared heater:

Quick heating of the room.
The absence of bulky coolants and spiral emitters makes it possible to significantly reduce the weight of the device.
The plates are used only for the synthesis of infrared rays, but the plates themselves do not heat up. The operating temperature of the heater reaches 60 degrees Celsius. You can touch the heater when it is on without causing a burn to your skin.
Safe for people and animals.
Economical: energy consumption is 20-30% lower (compared to traditional heaters).
Silent. Infrared radiation is produced and propagated silently.
Does not reduce oxygen concentration.
Mica from the plates does not emit harmful gases when heated.
Mica is durable and does not allow water to pass through.
Dust does not burn through the mica surface and a characteristic odor does not appear.

"Disadvantages" of a micathermic heater

Ineffective over long distances. The farther from the radiator, the less heat.
Warming is carried out only in the direction where the heater is directed. The rest of the room remains cool.
Dust can clog the grille, making it quite difficult to clean.
High cost (compared to oil analogues).

User reviews

Reviews about micathermic heaters are positive. Users note the ability to warm up a limited space when there is no need to heat the entire room.

The infrared heater does not burn out the air, does not heat up and remains safe for installation in a children's room. A micathermic heater (unlike an oil heater) does not click during operation.

Buyers liked the light weight of the infrared heating radiator; it is easy to move around the apartment, installing it at the right points.

Operating principle

The main difference between a micathermic heater and oil, convector, and ceramic heaters is that it heats not the air in the room, but material objects that fall within their area of action:

walls;
floor;
furniture.

Heating occurs due to energy radiation in the infrared light range. Infrared waves are invisible to the human eye, but can be felt by the skin as a flow of heat. It feels like the effect of bright sun in calm weather. Calculations show that the device converts up to 80% of consumed electricity into radiation. The remaining 20% is not lost, it is spent on heating the air next to the device. So every infrared heater is also a little convection.

Operating principle of a micathermic heater

Convection heaters primarily heat their surface, which transfers heat to the air in contact with it. The heated air rises, gradually cools there, giving off heat to the ceiling and walls, and falls down. There it heats up again from the surface of the radiator, rises up, and the cycle repeats. Thus, natural air circulation is established, and all the air in the room is warmed up. If the convection heater is equipped with a fan, the heating speed from several hours is reduced to 15-30 minutes.

A micathermic heater also copes with warming up the room during this time, but it becomes comfortable next to it from the first minutes of switching on.

Manufacturers of micathermic heaters

VES MX 1 is perfect for production facilities and garages. Heating is carried out 360 degrees, covering all zones. The radiator is produced in Asian factories, the average cost of the product is approximately 3.8 thousand rubles. The infrared device has a built-in automatic shutdown function if dropped.
DeLonghi with two types of installation: on wheels or wall mounting. The heater's power is enough to warm up 30 sq.m. Heater weight is about 4 kg. Cost about 4 thousand rubles.
The Polaris micathermic heater on wheels makes it easy to move the device around the apartment. Maximum heating area – 30 sq. m. Heater weight – 4.5 kg. It works quietly (without crackling or clicking).

The market offers a wide range of infrared heaters. It is enough to decide on the color scheme and appearance of the micathermic radiator.

Popular models with brief characteristics and prices

GoldStar EPH-7101

A well-known Korean company assembles this model at factories in China. Traditional quality is complemented by a relatively low price. For it you can get a two-stage power regulator and a mechanical thermostat. The power of the device is 1 kW, which is enough to heat 12 square meters. Price – 3,740 rub.

Polaris PMH 0115 5E

A more powerful (1.5 kilowatt) model from an American manufacturer is also assembled in China. It is made in a horizontal design, equipped with a two-stage mode selector and a mechanical thermostat. The device can heat an area of 15 m2. The heater costs 4,299 rubles.

Polaris PMH 1584

A more advanced 1.5 kW device is equipped with a smooth electronic power regulator. Due to the improved design, the heater can cope with an area of up to 18 m2. The delivery set includes wheels for easy movement around the room. The heater will cost 4,799 rubles.

Galaxy GL 8228

The budget micathermic heater from the Chinese brand Galaxy has a decent power of 2.2 kW. It is equipped with a mechanical switch and thermostat and will heat a room up to 22 m2. A simple and reliable device costs RUB 2,659.

De Longhi HMP1500

Despite the big name, the device combines high quality and efficiency with a relatively affordable price. It is equipped with an electronic system for maintaining a set temperature, which controls the device with high precision and allows you not to waste unnecessary electricity.

During the design, special attention was paid to security systems. The controller constantly monitors the surface temperature of the casing and the position of the device in space. If the surface overheats or the device overturns, it automatically turns off.

The delivery set includes brackets for wall mounting and wheels for floor mounting. They allow you to move the heater to the desired location without any extra effort. Unit power – 1500 watts, price – 4,790 rubles. The manufacturer recommends using it for heating rooms up to 18 m2.