Industrial air heaters are rugged, heavy-duty construction ideal for the most demanding air processing applications. They are dirt, contamination, and vibration resistant, and the optimum sheath material and highest permitted watt densities decrease weight, size, and footprint. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
Backer Hotwatt, Inc.
Danvers, MA | 978-777-0070Backer Hotwatt is a superior designer & manufacturer of electric heaters and related heater accessories for various OEM & industrial applications.

Ulanet™
Columbus, IN | 812-372-0281For more than 70 years, Ulanet™ has been engineering and manufacturing electric heaters, cartridge heaters, immersion heaters, tubular heaters, miniature strip heaters and bolt hole heaters, as well as industrial heaters and appliance thermostats.

Solaronics, Inc.
Auburn Hills, MI | 800-223-5335Solaronics’ quality electric heaters offer complete solutions for industrial, recreational & commercial buildings. For more than 60 years, Solaronics, a leading heater manufacturer & OEM supplier, has offered heaters that are preferred by architects, engineers, HVAC contractors & building owners when constructing or renovating. Choose from tube heaters, radiant gas heaters, outdoor heaters & more.

Gaumer Process Heaters, Systems & Controls
Houston, TX | 800-460-5200Process industries have relied on Gaumer since 1962 for the design and manufacture of industrial heaters, electric heaters, heating systems plus controls. Circulation heaters, component heaters (radiant heaters, strip heaters, cartridge heaters), comfort heaters and immersion heaters are the offerings.

Space-Ray, Inc.
Charlotte, NC | 800-438-4936Space-Ray is an international manufacturer of infrared radiant gas heating products. We are a division of the Gas Fired Products Group of companies which manufactures energy efficient overhead radiant heating, space heating, infrared heaters and process heating systems in the UK and USA. We design and manufacture energy efficient gas heating products that will stand the test of time.

In an air heater, industrial heat radiates into flowing air or fluid. Dirt, grease, and water in unfiltered air can shorten the life of heaters, especially open coil air heaters. Even after the heater is switched off, a time delay relay will maintain air flowing over the air heating element for some time. An over-temperature sensor can be placed next to the air heater itself if the temperature sensor is far down from the air heating element. Compared to tubular heaters, wire wound heating elements constructed of resistance wire have minimal pressure drop across the heating components.

Salient Features of Air Heaters
- For extended life and corrosion resistance, sheathed heating elements are employed. It's also possible to employ stainless steel-clad heating elements.
- Insulation integrity is guaranteed as recompacted element bends eliminate voids.
- Air heaters for high temperatures can provide up to a 20 W/in² rating and a max outlet temperature of 1200 °F (650 °C).
- Stainless steel element spacers and supports are used to ensure the spacing and avoid drooping.
- High-temperature air heaters have 5 to 300 kW ratings up to 480V.
- The terminal enclosure is thermally insulated, which keeps the wire cool and decreases heat loss.
- Procedure and over-temperature monitoring are possible with integrated sensors.
- C-UL-approved systems are made up to 600VAC, ensuring safe and dependable operation.
- For cool wiring temperatures, air heaters feature an insulated stand-off housing structure.
Material used for Air Heaters
Heating elements with rectangular fins are materials that guarantee maximum heat exchange with a minimal gradient.
All the resistors of an air heater have standardized production with the following characteristics:
- Aluminized steel is used to make rectangular fins.
- A high-quality AISI 321 steel tube acts as a rectangular fins mount.
- Industrial heaters are available in both options, with or without an onboard thermocouple.
- The resistors are assembled with a connection using a zinc-plated steel fitting and terminal blueprints.
Types of Air Heaters
Air heater is a broad phrase that can refer to various heaters.
Duct Heaters
Duct heaters work to heat gas streams in continuous movement as the gas passes through the heater.
Forced Air Heaters
These heaters use forced convection to pass air through a heat source with a fan or blower.
Radiators
Radiators consist of coils that contain circulated and heated media such as hot water, oil, or steam.
Tubular Heaters
These are typically used in custom heating applications because the element is bendable into custom shapes.
Enclosure Heaters
Enclosure heaters provide humidity control, protection, and freeze control. They are commonly designed to be used in enclosures.
Room Heaters
Safe from emitting noxious fumes or hazardous pollutants, these are used in confined spaces and are generally portable.
Heat Torches
These devices generate a focused flame or stream of abnormally hot air or gas.
Energy Sources of Air Heaters
Electricity, combustible fluids & solids, solar energy, or thermal fluids are the most common energy sources for air heaters.
- Electrically Powered: Electric heaters either use single-phase or three-phase power. They differ in watt density and commonly use AC instead of DC.
- Combustible Fluids and Solids: The fluids used to power air heaters include hydrocarbons. They can be classified as either liquid (diesel, fuel, oil) or gaseous (propane, natural gas). The solids acting as a power source can be wood or wood pallets.
- Solar Energy: Solar energy is a renewable energy source used to power air heaters by applying a solar collector and a thermal mass transfer system.
- Thermal Fluids: These are used to carry thermal energy in air heaters. Steam and hot water are the two most common fluids used in industrial applications.
Applications
Air heaters can be used in various residential, commercial, and industrial situations. HVAC systems and room or space heating are the primary applications for residential and commercial air heaters. Industrial applications include:
- Calcination is a high-temperature heat treatment method for metals, ores, and minerals. The procedure removes hydrates and other impurities from solid materials to change their physical and chemical characteristics.
- Air heaters can be used for preheating processes to prepare unfinished goods and materials for further processing.
- Drying includes evaporation to remove water or other solvents. Inks, raw materials, coatings, and other goods may be dried with air heaters.
- In addition, air heaters are utilized in a wide range of industries, including automotive, rubber, textiles, plastics, electronics, and packaging.
- Air heaters are used in the semiconductor industry for drying wafers and PC boards, preheating process gases, heat shrinking wire insulation, and soldering lead frames.
Choosing the Right Air Heater Supplier
To ensure the most productive outcome when purchasing an air heater from an air heater supplier, it is important to compare several suppliers using our directory of air heater companies. Each air heater company has a business profile page highlighting their areas of experience and capabilities, along with a contact form to directly communicate with them for more information or request a quote. Review each air heater business website using our patented website previewer for a better idea of what each company specializes in. Then, use our simple RFQ form to contact multiple air heater companies with the same form.