A micathermic heater is a type of

space heater A space heater is a device used to heat a single, small to medium sized area. Operation Electric space heaters fall into four main categories: fan heaters, ceramic, infrared, and oil-filled. * Fan heaters are the cheapest, but are often the ...

in which the

heating element A heating element converts electrical energy into heat through the process of Joule heating. Electric current through the element encounters resistance, resulting in heating of the element. Unlike the Peltier effect, this process is indepen ...

is covered in thin sheets of

mica Micas ( ) are a group of silicate minerals whose outstanding physical characteristic is that individual mica crystals can easily be split into extremely thin elastic plates. This characteristic is described as perfect basal cleavage. Mica is ...

. Micathermic heaters produce both convection heat and

radiant heat Thermal radiation is electromagnetic radiation generated by the thermal motion of particles in matter. Thermal radiation is generated when heat from the movement of charges in the material (electrons and protons in common forms of matter) is ...

, and are usually thinner than other types of heaters.

Risks

The 1500 watt SoleusAir 360 Micathermic Heater was recalled in 2008 due to it being a fire hazard.

References

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning Residential heating appliances Heaters {{energy-stub