Torpedo Heater

A torpedo heater is a style of heater that is commonly used in the heating of large industrial workspaces. It gets its name from the shape that it is and is sometimes know as and referred to as a salamander heater or forced air heater.

In the 1940's W.L. Scheu of Scheu Manufacturing Company invented the 'Torpedo heater' They were a top manufacturer of space heaters at the time and designed this style of heater to help construction crews work in inclement weather. They are a forced air heater which basically works as follows:

The fuel source whether it be electricity, liquid fuel or gas is burnt / expended through a heat exchange. This then heats the surrounding air and is then forced / blown out of the heater to circulate into the surrounding space. These types of heaters are usually portable and more often than not fuelled by kerosene. You can easily buy units that run from electricity and also those which plug straight into a natural gas line.

These types of heaters are ideal for the larger workshops as they are very powerful and can heat large spaces easily. When powered by kerosene or other liquid fuels there must also be a permanent electric supply to provide a constant ignition source.

Benefits

• Can heat very large spaces
• Portable - usually has two wheels and a carrying handle for easy moving
• Can be used with a variety of fuel sources.

Negatives

• Primarily designed for construction sites and outdoor spaces so need exceptional ventilation
• Can be overpowering for smaller areas.

Fuel types

• Electricity
• LPG
• Kerosene

Safety

As mentioned above, these are industrial heaters commonly used to heat construction sites and the like. They emit products of combustion and so require substantial ventilation. They are not designed for domestic use and can be very dangerous, causing the build up of carbon monoxide if not vented. If you do use them in a domestic environment then you must have at least 3 square feet of outside air ventilation per 100,000 BTU's