What’s the difference between a PTC heater and a traditional one?

As monsoon engulfs the country and the heatwave is replaced by cooler temperatures, it is now time to look for heating needs. One of the challenges with heating your home is that you want to stay warm and comfortable but at the same time, you don’t want to spend too much on your electricity bill. Two of the common types of heaters are PTC and normal heaters, and choosing the right type of heater has a profound effect on your home and daily needs.

PTC heaters: What you need to know

PTC stands for positive temperature coefficient and a PTC heater is an electric device that uses PTC technology to generate heat. While a traditional heater relies on low fixed-resistance coils to create heat, a positive temperature coefficient heater uses conductors made of variable resistor materials to generate heat.

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When electricity passes through these conductors, they create resistance, become hot and generate heat in the surrounding area. If more electricity passes through these conductors, they get hotter but never reach a temperature that will cause combustion or fire. This nature of the variable resistor materials to get hot without causing combustion or fire is called the “PTC effect.”

How do PTC heaters differ from traditional heaters?

The primary difference between a positive temperature coefficient heater and a traditional room heater is that the latter is more energy-intensive. A traditional heater uses elements that produce more intense heat and thus require more energy for operation. They are also expensive to maintain due to wear and tear on the components.

In comparison, a PTC heater is more energy efficient since it heats up the surrounding area by consuming minimal energy and delivering consistent warmth. This leads to lower input costs as well as minimal upkeep or maintenance costs. Since these devices are lightweight and portable compared to traditional heaters, they are preferred to make specific heater designs.

One of the key differences between a traditional heater and a PTC heater that every homeowner should consider is safety. To say that PTC heaters are safer than traditional heaters would be an understatement. A PTC heater does not have any open flames or exposed wiring like the ones seen on traditional heaters. This makes them much safer for homes with small children or pets. PTC heaters also don’t have any moving parts or filters to operate, which again helps them to be low-maintenance compared to traditional heating systems.

PTC heaters vs traditional heaters: Which one is right for you?

When it comes to choosing between a traditional heater and a PTC heater, you need to first consider your specific needs and requirements. If safety is of utmost importance and the initial cost isn’t a concern then a PTC heater will be the best choice for you. A PTC heater is also a great option if you are looking for a lightweight or portable heater that can be easily moved around in your home.

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If safety and efficiency aren’t the most important factors then you can consider a traditional heater. They are less expensive to start with and are also widely available. A traditional heater may not be as portable as a PTC heater but they do their job well and are preferred by budget conscious users.