Efficient Band Heater Alternatives: Blanket & Wrap Solutions Explained

Band Heater Alternatives

ARTICLE AT-A-GLANCE

What Are the Best Alternatives to Band Heaters for Even and Efficient Heating?

For those seeking alternatives to traditional band heaters, blanket and wrap heaters offer a superior solution by providing uniform heat distribution and better insulation, as demonstrated by their ability to maintain higher temperatures for longer periods compared to band heaters.

Key Takeaways

Explore Efficient Heating Alternatives: Discover how blanket and wrap heaters provide uniform heat distribution, eliminating the uneven heating issues common with traditional band heaters.
Understand the Benefits: Learn why blanket heaters are preferred for their superior insulation and ability to maintain higher temperatures for extended periods, even after power is turned off.
Compare Performance: See the results of a comparison test showing how blanket heaters outperform band heaters in both heating speed and temperature retention.
Consider Industry Recommendations: Find out why industry experts, like the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance, recommend blanket heaters over band heaters for maintaining optimal temperatures in industrial applications.
Optimize Your Heating Solutions: Explore how Powerblanket’s drum and barrel heaters can reduce waste and lower costs by providing consistent and even heating for your containers.

Table of Contents

Band heaters have been around for a long time. They are often the go-to option for heating drums, buckets, or barrels. However, band heater users often have a few complaints. Band heaters create uneven heat and too often burn product, thermostats can be unpredictable and overheat, and their life expectancy can be relatively short. For those looking for other options, let’s take a look at some band heater alternatives.

Uneven Heat

By design, a band heater will provide a lot of heat in one, centralized location of the drum, bucket, or barrel. This extreme, uneven heat causes burnt and overheated product while leaving the rest of the container unheated and unprotected. This makes it virtually impossible to uniformly heat containers and maintain optimal temperature.

Alternative: Blanket and Wrap Heaters

A blanket-type heater can be a great alternative for heating barrels, buckets and drums. Look for heaters that wrap the drum or bucket completely and offer uniform heat from top to bottom. This style of heater offers two great benefits. First, the heat is even and constant (no more concentrated heat around a single band). Second, the bucket, barrel, or drum will be insulated by the wrap or blanket.

Comparison Test: Band vs. Blanket Heaters

Blanket-style heaters are more efficient at heating than band heater. Let’s take a quick look at a comparison test between a 720 watt blanket-type drum heater and a 1200 watt 4” silicone band heater. Each heater was used to heat a 55 gallon barrel filled to capacity with water. The temperature of the water prior to heating was 32 degrees F.

The water heated with the 4” silicone band heater reached a maximum temperature of 61 degrees F above ambient temperature in approximately 42 hours. After removing electrical power from the heater, the water temperature fell to the ambient temperature of 34 degrees F in approximately 33 hours.

The blanket-type drum heater heated the water to 70 degrees F above ambient temperature in approximately 22 hours. With an additional 72 hours the water reached a steady state temperature of approximately 110 degrees F above ambient temperature. After removing electrical power from the heater the water temperature dropped to the ambient temperature of 34 degrees F in approximately 164 hours.

This comparison test supports the ability of blanket heaters to reach higher temperatures more quickly. Additionally, it illustrates the insulation properties of blanket heaters. Compared to the band heater, the blanket heater kept the water warmer for much longer even after the electrical power was turned off.

Spray Foam and Blanket Heaters

The spray foam industry has used band heaters for many years; most of their product is housed and transported in drum, bucket, and tote containers. The Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA), however, recommends using a blanket-type heater. They also recommend avoiding the use of band heaters. “Low heat flux blanket-type heaters work well to maintain drum temperatures. Avoid use of band-type heaters or other high heat flux heaters.”

Flow-control solutions from Powerblanket are a great option for keeping spray foam containers at optimal, even temperatures.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I heat my room without a heater?

To heat a room without a traditional heater, consider using blanket or wrap heaters for even and efficient warmth, or explore options like wood stoves and passive solar heating for alternative solutions.

What is the best alternative for heat?

The best alternative for heat includes options like blanket and wrap heaters, which provide uniform heat distribution, as well as wood-burning stoves and passive solar heating for more traditional and sustainable methods.

What is a good alternative to a space heater?

A good alternative to a space heater is a blanket or wrap heater, which offers consistent and even heating, reducing the risk of overheating and energy waste.

Is there an alternative to electric heaters?

Yes, alternatives to electric heaters include propane heaters and blanket-type heaters, which can efficiently heat spaces without relying solely on electricity.

Powerblanket's industrial drum & barrel heaters provide even and consistent heating, eliminating waste and lowering costs.

Explore Drum & Barrel Heaters

Shelby Thompson

Shelby Thompson is the head of standard product sales for Powerblanket. He has a distinguished military career, having served in both Afghanistan and Iraq. In his time in the Marines, Shelby acquired an impressive skillset that he now uses in his current role. When he's not working, Shelby loves spending time outdoors with his wife, son, and daughter. He is also a semi-keen hunter, fair weather fisherman, and shooter. Unfortunately, Shelby also has something of an unlucky streak when it comes to Fantasy Football at the company.