How to choose a heat gun — their specifications and expert advice

Types of heat guns and their differences

Structurally, heat guns are fairly simple devices, the main components of which are a housing, a heating element and a fan. On the body of the gun, made of metal, which helps prevent both thermal and mechanical damage, there are holes for air intake.

The body can be rectangular, but cylindrical heat guns are more common. It is thanks to this form, which gives rise to associations with the muzzle of an artillery gun, that this type of air heaters got its name. To increase mobility, sufficiently massive and heavy devices are placed on a frame equipped with maneuverable wheels.

Inside the housing there is a heating element (electric heating element / spiral or combustion chamber with a heat exchanger) and a powerful electric fan. The fan blows cold air through the holes in the housing into the gun, drives it along the heating element and contributes to the distribution of already hot air throughout the room. Thus, a heat gun is inherently a powerful fan heater.

Depending on the type of energy carrier they use for heating, all heat guns are divided into:

• Electrical;
• Gas;
• Diesel;
• Multi-fuel;
• infrared.

Lists of the best

Given the large number of models, it will be very difficult for buyers to choose the right one. Based on this, we have compiled a mini-rating, which describes the models in the following categories:

• budget model.
• Diesel gun.
• Gas gun.

We will describe the devices in more detail in each section.

budget model

BALLU BHP-M-3 multifunctional, but at the same time a budget model. It is used as a heater in living quarters. It can work in industrial and economic conditions, but will not show a good result.

Price: from 900 to 1,500 rubles.

heat gun BALLU BHP-M-3

diesel gun

Master BV 77E representative of the type of liquid heaters, the heating of which is carried out directly. It happens quickly enough and distributes warm air evenly. Combustion products go outside so the air is always clean and fresh.

Price: from 60,000 to 65,800 rubles.

heat gun Master BV 77E

gas gun

MASTER BLP 17M from the American company Master is the generally accepted leader in the category of gas heat guns. Like all products of the company, it meets standard requirements and is highly reliable.

Price: from 8,000 to 9,100 rubles.

heat gun MASTER BLP 17M

Power

Power is the main characteristic of heat guns, as, indeed, of any other heating devices. The greater the power of the device, the faster as a result of its operation the room will warm up, all other things being equal.

In order to avoid confusion, it should immediately be noted that we are talking about the so-called thermal power, which characterizes the performance of the heating device, and not about the electrical power consumed. The latter can be considered indicative only in the case of electric heat guns.

Gas and liquid fuel heaters also consume electricity, but in them it is not spent on heat generation, but only on the operation of the electric fan and control and monitoring systems. The power consumption of such devices varies from several tens to several hundred watts and does not at all characterize them as heating devices.

So, about the thermal power, that is, about the amount of heat that the heating device is able to transfer to the air in the room per unit of time … The power of liquid-fuel (diesel and multi-fuel) guns can reach 200-220 kW, while indirect heating devices are much weaker — among them there are few capable of delivering more than a hundred kilowatts. The range of variation in the thermal power of gas heat guns is from 10 to 100-150 kW, although there are also more powerful stationary units. The maximum power of infrared guns is 40-50 kW.

And, finally, the thermal power of electric heat guns can vary depending on the model from 1 to 50 kW (however, among industrial stationary installations there are also more powerful ones — up to 100 kW). PAt the same time, many models provide the possibility of stepwise regulation of the heating power in accordance with the needs of the user at the current moment. Electric heaters with a power of up to 5 kW are traditionally classified as household, and more than 5 kW — as industrial.

Top Models

We have compiled a rating of the best heat guns that are currently on sale. When compiling the list, we first of all turned our attention to the quality of the gun, while taking into account its cost so that it matches the characteristics. The list includes both inexpensive entry-level guns and powerful ones for continuous use and heating large rooms.

Wester TBK-2000 (2 kW)

Inexpensive heat gun for domestic needs — heating a garage or residential premises. Suitable for warming up a frozen car. Prevents condensation and fights high humidity in the room.

• Advantages: inexpensive, economical consumption of electricity;
• Flaws: power is not enough for a large room.

Ballu BHP-P2-5 (4.5 kW)

This is a mid-range heat gun that is suitable for heating medium-sized rooms. It can be used during construction and installation works, as well as for heating warehouses. Equipped with thermostat and overheating protection function. There are several options for adjusting the work.

• Advantages: high power, thermostat, overheating protection;
• Flaws: it is impossible to work continuously;

Ballu BHP-PE-5 (5 kW)

Another heat gun from the same manufacturer. It has a little more power than the previous gun, and at the same time costs a little less. It can work longer because it has a slightly reduced air exchange. This does not affect the heating efficiency, but saves energy and protects against overheating.

• Advantages: high power, thermostat;
• Flaws: Slightly reduced air exchange rate.

Vulkan 6000 TP

A professional-grade heat gun that can be used to heat large rooms (up to 60 square meters in size). There are two modes of operation. It has overheating protection and a thermostat to control the temperature.

• Advantages: very high power and heating area, thermostat and overheating protection;
• FlawsA: high price, not suitable for 220V socket.

AOEVO 15TP Thermia 15000

High power heat gun that can heat rooms up to 150 square meters. Designed for large warehouses or small industries. Powered by 380 V.

• Advantages: 15 kW power, large heating area;
• Flaws: high cost, requires 380V power supply;

Hyundai H-HG-20-U9005 (2 kW)

Compact heat gun from Hyundai with a power of 2 kW. There is a mechanical control to adjust the temperature. A feature of the model is a moisture-proof housing, which allows using this gun in damp and damp rooms at any time of the year. Built-in overheating protection.

• Advantages: compact and lightweight, waterproof, temperature adjustable;
• Flaws: a short cord for connecting to an outlet;

Ballu BHP-P-9 (9 kW)

A powerful universal heat gun that can be used for a wide range of tasks: heating residential and non-residential premises, drying air and cars. This gun is powerful enough, but relatively compact and light (for its size).

• Advantages: versatility, weight, price, power;
• Flaws: Requires 380V outlet, noisy operation.

Airflow

The movement of the air mass during the operation of the heat gun is carried out by a built-in electric fan. The more efficient the fan, the faster the warm air will mix with the cold air. On more powerful heat guns, more efficient fans are installed.

On the one hand, this prevents local overheating of the air in the immediate vicinity of the gun, on the other hand, a powerful device is able to quickly warm the entire room, and this opportunity must be used. This implies another characteristic of the heat gun — the air flow.

Air flow (often referred to as the performance of heat-ventilation equipment) is the volume of warm air created by a heat gun per hour of operation. By the value of this indicator, one can estimate the rate of heating the room to the required temperature.

No. 8. Other technical specifications

To assess whether this or that equipment suits you, you need to analyze a number of some additional parameters:

• air flow rate, m3/hour. The indicator indicates how well the fan works. Ideally, it should be powerful enough to quickly warm the air around it and prevent overheating of the air directly near the gun. The amount of air flow is the volume of warm air that the device is able to generate in 1 hour of operation. The higher the power of the gun, the greater the airflow. The indicator fluctuates from 100-150 to 800 and more m3/hour;
• air jet length, m This indicator also depends on the power of the fan and makes it clear how far the device can send an air stream;
• fuel consumption, kg/h or l/h helps to evaluate the efficiency of the device. It makes sense to compare the parameter at the same sample power;
• noise level, dB All guns that work thanks to the fan make noise. The higher the power, the higher the noise level. If compact electric guns give out only 40-50 dB, then large gas and diesel ones can give 80-90 dB, which will interfere in a small room. If the noise level is a critical indicator, then it is better to leave the choice on the infrared model;
• duration of work. If the gun is the only source of heat, then it is important that it can work almost around the clock. In the description of the model, you can see something like this 24/1 or 24/2. This means that the device can rest for 1-2 hours per day.

  

Fuel type

Fuel for gas heat guns are lower saturated hydrocarbons, which are under normal conditions in a gaseous state.

It could be:

• natural gas (methane with a small amount of impurities of heavier hydrocarbons) supplied from a centralized gas pipeline;
• liquefied gas (propane or butane) transported and stored in cylinders.

Gas is cheaper than diesel fuel and much cheaper than electricity. Moreover, in this case we are talking about liquefied gas supplied in cylinders, while even firewood is not able to compete with main gas at low cost.

Liquid fuel heat guns work equally well on diesel fuel and kerosene. Manufacturers strongly recommend that only these fuels be used. In order to avoid an explosion, fire, equipment failure, it is strictly forbidden to use alcohol, gasoline, naphtha, or any other flammable liquids to refuel liquid fuel guns.

Heat guns working on mining perfectly «digest» almost any type of liquid oils — motor, transmission, hydraulic, as well as their mixtures. Exceptions are transformer oil and high viscosity lubricants. Before filling the fuel tank of the heat gun with used oil, it must be cleaned of mechanical particles and water without fail.

And, finally, infrared heat guns can operate, depending on the model, both on gas and on liquid fuel (kerosene, diesel fuel), as well as on electricity. They have the same fuel quality requirements as the corresponding types of heat guns.

When assessing future fuel costs at the stage of choosing a heat gun, one should pay attention to such a characteristic of the heating device as fuel consumption.

How to choose an electric gun-heater

Before you go to buy a fan heater, you need to clearly understand why you need a heater at all. If air heating is required occasionally and quickly, then an electric heat gun is ideal for such modes.

If the temperature needs to be maintained in the room for a long time and at a constant level, then it is better to look for another option, otherwise the electricity bills will “please” simply with huge amounts.

With the help of a working thermal electric gun, the desired temperature regime can be maintained for quite a long time, but much more often the device is used for quick and short-term heating

It is also necessary to determine in advance the required power (depending on the cubic capacity of the room) and power supply. Powerful industrial and semi-industrial models require three-phase voltage to operate.

If there is only a conventional single-phase socket in the room, then the electrical equipment should be selected accordingly.

Criterion #1: heating element

The main thing in an electric heat gun is a fan. But in all models it is standard. It’s hard to come up with something unique here. But with the heating element it is worth understanding in more detail. Both safety and, in many respects, the power of the heating device depend on its correct choice.

There are two types of air heating elements in a fan heater:

• high resistance alloy coils;
• ceramic plates.

The first variant is heated up to 300–600°С, and the second only up to 150°С. However, due to the smaller area of ​​the heating element, the spirals are somewhat inferior to the plates in terms of efficiency.

The heat transfer surface in the first case is much smaller than in the second. And the fan “removes” the heat from just the entire heated area.

If an electric fan heater is needed for constant and long-term operation, then it is better to look at models with ceramic heating plates (+)

The option with ceramics is more fireproof, since the temperature of the elements in such a heat gun does not rise too high. And in terms of output power and heating efficiency, models with plates are in no way inferior to analogues with a spiral. And just the spiral burns out much more often.

If the ceramic plate is disassembled, then the same heating coil will be inside it. Only it is made of a different alloy and heats up to a lower temperature. In this case, all the heat created by it is transferred to ceramics, from which thermal energy is already removed by the air flow from the fan.

The plate heats up a little longer in time than an open spiral, but it will also last longer.

Criterion #2: Hull Design

All powerful fan heaters are now available in metal version with anti-corrosion coating. The plastic case is not allowed here. In low-power household appliances, plastic inserts on the casing may be present, but most often these are rubberized knobs and switches that you have to touch with your hands.

The shape of the fan heater body usually looks like an elongated cylinder (like a cannon), but there are also “rectangular” models

All thermal electric guns are divided into:

1. Stationary Models They are cheaper and have more power.
2. Mobile (portable) options are more compact and can be easily turned in the desired direction. They usually have hinges that allow you to adjust the direction of the airflow by turning the entire cannon to where you want it.

However, on sale you can also find a variant with rotary dampers that deflect the air stream from the fan to the right / left and up / down.

If the heat gun has a protective diffusing grid, then it must be metal without fail. Here, any plastic is categorically unacceptable, since the temperature of the air leaving the fan heater is too high.

Criterion #3: Power

The more power the device has in kilowatts, the faster and larger the room it is able to heat. But with the increase in power indicators, the noise of the fan also increases. He has to work at higher speeds, which inevitably leads to an increase in decibel noise.

According to a simplified scheme, the power of the fan heater is selected at the rate of 1 kW per 10 square meters. m area. But this formula is valid only if the ceiling height does not exceed 3 meters. According to it, a heat gun can be selected for a garage, a summer residence or a small workshop.

For large buildings, it is necessary to make more detailed calculations, taking into account not the square of the area, but the volume of the volume of the room.

An accurate calculation of power should be made according to a formula that takes into account the volume of the room in cubic meters and the thermal conductivity of the walls, as well as the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures (+)

In the data sheet of a heat gun with a fan, in addition to power (kW), the heat flow or performance in cubic meters / hour is also indicated. In most cases, there are about 100–120 m3/h per 1 kW.

Some devices have more efficient fans that can pump more air. When choosing a model, both of these indicators must be taken into account.

For giving or heating a garage, it is worth choosing a household option with a power of up to 3 kW. For small spaces, this is more than enough. At the same time, remember that everything above 5 kW requires a three-phase network.

Criterion #4: Additional Features

When choosing a heat gun, you should also pay attention to the presence of various additional features.

Useful options:

• splash-proof housing — for fan heaters installed in rooms with high humidity;
• built-in humidifiers and filters;
• thermostat for step adjustment of output power;
• automatic «protection against overheating»;
• function of «self-shutdown» at overturning of the heating device.

Also, some models have a full-fledged automatic control unit that independently maintains the temperature in the room at the specified parameters. If it is available, the heat gun can be left to work completely unattended: the automation itself will turn on / off the fan heater as needed.

For more information on choosing a fan heater, see this article.

Dimensions, mobility and weight

The dimensions and weight of the heat gun depend on its type, design and power (performance). Lightweight and compact, typically used in residential areas and offices. Overall and heavy, but at the same time more powerful, designed for large industrial and agricultural facilities.

Electric heat guns have the most modest dimensions. Their weight can vary from 3 to 30 kg, i.e. any of these devices is obviously mobile. In addition to ease of operation and the absence of harmful waste and emissions, this circumstance is another argument in favor of electric guns for those who are looking for climate equipment for domestic use.

Gas heat guns, for the most part, are also distinguished by their low weight and dimensions. True, they can only be called mobile at the same time with a big stretch. The mobility of such devices depends on the source of fuel supply.

Even the smallest and lightest gas gun, being connected to the centralized gas supply line, becomes stationary for a while — it is easy and unconstrained to move it if necessary today to the other end of the warehouse, and tomorrow you will not be able to do it at all in the next room.

Liquid fuel (diesel and multi-fuel) heat guns, due to the fact that they have, in addition to everything else, a combustion chamber and a fuel tank, are the most massive and, as a result, heavy. It should be taken into account that after filling the fuel tank with fuel, the weight of the device will increase significantly.

Which manufacturer do you prefer

In domestic stores of heating equipment, electric guns are found both imported and manufactured in Russia. In general, there is not much difference between them. Here it is more necessary to focus on the power of the device.

But among the manufacturers there are also recognized leaders, for whose branded fan heaters you will have to overpay a little.

If you need a powerful and durable electric gun for heating, then special attention should be paid to models under the trademarks Ballu (Netherlands) and Master (USA)

Fan heaters are produced by a sufficiently large number of domestic and foreign companies.

Among the main brands that have won the trust of consumers, we can distinguish:

• ballu (Dutch brand, but production is established in Russia);
• Master (USA);
• Timberk (Sweden);
• Inforce (Russia);
• Fubag (Germany);
• Quattro (Italy);
• Tropic (Russia);
• Resanta (Latvia).

Almost all manufacturers offer heat guns in a wide range of heating power and air flow. In the existing assortment of this equipment there is always a model for specific needs, you just need to correctly assess the needs.

Taking an electric gun that is too powerful, and then turning it off every few minutes so as not to burn out is not too reasonable and expensive in terms of money.

If you want to save money, you can make an electric gun yourself. For assembly, you will need a heating element, material for the case (metal sheet or pipe), a fan and an engine.

Calculation of the required power of the heat gun

What are the power ranges of heat guns, we now know. But for now, these are just bare numbers, but we want to get an answer to the question: what power device is needed to heat a particular room? To correlate the capabilities of climate equipment with existing needs, you need to learn how to calculate thermal power.

To calculate the power required to heat a room, you need to have complete information about it:

• Room volume.
• Temperature.
• The quality of the thermal insulation of the room.

The quality of thermal insulation of a room consists of several parameters — the quality of insulation of individual structural elements (walls, floors, roofs), the quantity, size and quality of insulation of windows and doorways, the frequency of opening doors per unit of time, etc.

In the case of a simplified solution of the task, all rooms are divided into several groups in accordance with the quality of their thermal insulation:

• k = 0.6-1.0 — good thermal insulation (thick floor base, double insulated brick walls, warm insulated roof with high-quality thermal insulation material, few windows, all double-glazed);
• k = 1.0-2.0 — medium thermal insulation (double brick walls, standard roofing, few windows);
• k = 2.0-3.0 — poor thermal insulation (simplified building design, single brick walls without the use of thermal insulation materials, single window frames — garages, outbuildings, etc.);
• k = 3.0-4.0 — lack of thermal insulation (simplified wooden or corrugated metal sheet structures — sheds, hangars, etc., as well as open and semi-open areas).

The coefficient k given here is the coefficient of heat dissipation, which characterizes the quality of the thermal insulation of the building/room. You will have to choose a specific value from the specified range of values ​​of the coefficient k on the basis of the full information you have about the structural features of the building.

After evaluating all of the above parameters, you can begin to calculate the heat output required to heat the room.

To do this, just use the formula: Q = k × V × ∆T where:

• Q – required heat output (in kcal/h),
• k – coefficient of heat dissipation,
• V — the volume of the room (in cubic meters),
• ∆T — the difference between the required and available temperatures outside the room (in degrees Celsius).

What is used for

Heat guns are very powerful heating devices that can heat even large rooms in a matter of minutes. They also perform a drying function. Because of these features, heat guns are most often used for technical premises — warehouses, garages, etc. On average, a heat gun is 3-5 times more powerful than an electric convector. Given this feature, it becomes clear why it is less often used in everyday life and residential premises.

A good electric heat gun can greatly raise the temperature in the room and dry the air well. Because of these features, it is used as a substitute for centralized heating. The need for it arises during construction work or in those rooms where there is no other heating system — in this case, you can raise the temperature to a comfortable level for a person only with the help of a gun.

One electric gun has a greater efficiency and heating effect than several electric convectors or other types of heating. At the same time, the cost of such heating remains relatively low, respectively, with the help of it you can save.

In practice, heat guns are used:

• At home heat guns are often used in garages. In winter, cars often freeze through. With the help of a gun, you can dry the car relatively quickly and heat it up, and it will be able to start despite the low ambient temperature. Also, an electric gun is indispensable in those premises where a person has to work for a long time — workshops, garages, service stations, etc. Due to the heating and drying of the air, the conditions of stay in the room become comfortable and safe for humans.
• In construction guns are used to speed up finishing and other types of work where a quick solidification of materials is required due to temperature and dry air. For example, with the help of guns, the drying of plaster is accelerated. It can also be used in other works such as installing laminate and parquet. Some technological operations require warm, dry air, and a heat gun can provide it.

Which heat gun to choose?

For home/office

Single-phase electric heat guns are suitable for residential and work premises. Of the additional functions, a movable base and heating control are desirable. This will ensure maximum comfort of use.

for garage

For a garage, a heater of any type, with a power of up to 2500 watts, is suitable. For small garages, even less powerful models are enough — up to 1500 watts.

The heat gun will warm during repairs in winter, dry and warm the car, etc.

For construction site

Fuel heaters are suitable for heating open areas. They consume little electricity, but generate large amounts of heat. Combustion products in the open air will not harm health.

To increase fire safety, use powerful three-phase electric heaters.

Such devices will help not only keep workers warm in the cold season, but also quickly dry the premises after painting, wallpapering or when installing stretch ceilings.

For greenhouse

For greenhouses up to 50 m², inexpensive electric heat guns are sufficient. For large greenhouses, a gas or diesel heat gun with indirect heating is optimal.

Install the heater above the plants, close to the ceiling. This will protect the plants from drying out and evenly warm the greenhouse.

For warehouse/hangar

For unventilated large rooms, electric three-phase or gas heat guns are suitable. For warehouses with good ventilation, you can use a heat gun on any other fuel: diesel, kerosene, waste oil, etc.

For repair

Heat guns are used in finishing works. A gas gun is suitable for installing stretch ceilings. It gives the temperature necessary for tensioning almost instantly, and does not emit harmful substances during combustion.

An electric heat gun is optimal for drying walls, floors or wooden building materials in an apartment. It is safe and requires nothing more than a stable electrical outlet.

Advantages and disadvantages of the unit

Among the many advantages of a heat gun that works only due to electricity are the following:

• possibility of installation in unventilated rooms;
• long period of continuous work;
• no open fire;
• the presence of control automation with a thermostat;
• receiving heat immediately after being connected to the power grid;
• no need for constant addition of combustible fuel;
• the possibility of using the gun as a conventional fan;
• high efficiency in heating large rooms;
• small dimensions;
• versatility in terms of placement.

The fan heater does not emit unpleasant or harmful substances into the air. There is simply nothing to burn in it. Occasionally, when this appliance is in operation, a burning smell appears briefly after power is applied.

This is due to the accumulation of dust on the heating element and protective grille. If the gun is kept clean, then this will not happen.

Even housing can be heated with a fan heater (there are no gas emissions from its operation), problems can arise only with drying the air

The thermal electric gun is able to work unattended and continuously for several days. It does not need to be topped up with fuel. At the same time, the presence of automation ensures that the temperature in the room will be maintained in the required parameters without human intervention.

The heating of the spiral, which heats the air in the heat gun, after the supply of electric current occurs in a matter of seconds. Heat almost immediately begins to flow into the heated room. In this regard, the equipment in question greatly outperforms other heater options.

Fan heaters are extremely easy to use. It is only necessary to prevent the accumulation of dust inside, which, when the spiral is turned on, will smoke. You can place them on the floor, wall and even on the table. The model range of this thermal equipment is extensive. You can find an option for any placement and with any size.

There are only three disadvantages of a fan heater:

• «burning» of oxygen and «drying» of air;
• high noise level when the fan is turned on to the maximum;
• electrical dependency.

The air around the heated coil during the operation of the electric heat gun is naturally dried. As a result, the overall humidity in the room gradually drops, it is impossible to get away from it.

A similar situation develops with oxygen: it gradually burns out due to the contact of air masses with a hot heating element.

Of course, these are not the same volumes as when using a gas or diesel gun. But if this moment is critical, then the fan heater should be chosen not with a spiral, but with ceramic plates.

The latter are heated to lower temperatures, which greatly eliminates the disadvantages of open spiral heaters. But such models are somewhat more expensive.

Types of electric heaters

Not every heater is suitable for a house or apartment. Some can only be used to heat large industrial areas and open spaces. An example is diesel or gas heat guns.

That is why electric heat guns are a more suitable and safe solution for heating residential buildings or apartments.

Varieties of electric heaters

We list the main types of thermal electrical appliances.

Heat guns

A popular inexpensive type of heaters, characterized by a simple design and heating speed. They warm up the room well and keep a comfortable warm temperature. However, there were some drawbacks: after some time of their work, it will be necessary to ventilate the room a little, because they noticeably dry the air. Therefore, in order not to lose precious heat during airing, it is worth choosing models with low and medium power.

Oil coolers

In appearance, they are similar to heating radiators. But they are not filled with water, but with oil, which warms up well and gives off heat for a long time even after the device is turned off. They do not burn out the air, therefore they are often used where people do not have the opportunity to once again interrupt for airing: in workrooms, office premises.

Infrared heaters

With their help, you can warm up only small areas near the device. They are not suitable for heating an entire room or even a room. However, due to such local heating, they consume less energy. But at the same time, they are distinguished by a high cost, so they cannot be called particularly popular.

Convector heaters

They are considered efficient heaters. The secret lies in the fact that they work on the principle of air circulation. The lower air flow comes to the device cooled, and leaves it warmed up and rushes up. This ensures the natural process of retaining heat. But for large areas, powerful convectors operating from a high-voltage network will be required. Therefore, a medium power convector is optimal for residential premises.

Thermal curtains

Rarely used at home. They are more suitable for rooms where doors are often opened or kept open at all (for example, for shops). The strong heat flow created by the device acts as an obstacle to cold air from the outside, and, on the contrary, protects the heat inside. In the hot season, such a curtain will keep cool inside, which is also important.

In addition to fundamental differences in operation, heaters differ in such criteria as body shape, materials, power ratings and fuel types.