Direct Fired Heater Vs Indirect

If you re working in a large or well ventilated space a direct fired heater should be perfect.

Direct fired heater vs indirect.

100 clean dry air the air being circulated never comes in direct contact with the flame. Indirect fired heaters also have lower turndown ratios than direct fired heaters resulting in less ability to vary the heat output unless additional heat exchangers are added to improve turndown. These types of water heaters are traditionally the most energy efficient. Indirect fired heaters emit 100 clean and dry air and can be used in tightly sealed spaces.

Indirect fired means that the air is heated indirectly. In other words for every 100 spent on gas for the water heater 50 goes out through the chimney. Temperature control of an indirect fired heater is not as precise as a direct fired heater as it often under or overshoots the desired temperature by a few degrees. Let s compare an indirect fired water heater to a separate gas fired water heater and boiler combination.

Direct gas fired units provide higher energy efficiency than indirect units as well as steam heating coils heat pumps high efficiency hot water boilers and even electrical resistance heaters. Having a thorough understanding of all of the differences between these two heater types will ensure you choose the optimal solution for each project. Direct fired heaters can operate in areas with temperatures as low as 30 degrees fahrenheit. Can operate in tightly sealed spaces indirect fired heaters do not release carbon dioxide into the space.

Below is a diagram of a direct fired air heater. The burner is fired into a heat exchanger. Keep your budget in mind as well. A direct fired water heater can be heated by propane oil or natural gas and has its own burner.

However there are some cases where an indirect fired heater is the better choice. They are more energy efficient than an indirect water heater because it heats the water itself. Consider the size of your space and the amount of ventilation the area has. They are more cost effective to install than their indirect counterparts and offer better freeze protection.

Indirect fired water heaters vs conventional water heaters. Conventional heaters are only about 50 efficient. Direct fired air heaters are typically less expensive and more efficient than indirect fired units as direct firing units converts nearly 100 of the combustion gases used to hot air. If you re working in a small and enclosed room an indirect fired heater will work best.

Indirect water heaters take advantage of an existing heating source for power thus they can save a lot of money over the long run. Direct fired heaters are both more efficient and less expensive than indirect fired heaters. They need less maintenance than a direct model due to having fewer parts and often have superior insulation negating the need for a water heater blanket.