Oil,gas or electric oven, which one should you choose?

 You don't know which power source you want to use? Which one is cheaper? What does it comes with? What are the expenses?

We will try to answer all of these questions.

Energy costs


These energy costs are theoretical since they assume no loses caused by technology used.

Chart below shows approximated energy costs.

Fuel type
 Quantity Calorific value Cost  Unit 100kWh Approximated cost
Electric power

1kWh

 3,6 MJ/kWh 0,49 zł 100 kWh 49 zł
Fuel oil
 1 l 36 MJ/l 2,80 zł 10 l 28 zł
Natural gas (GZ50) 1Nm3 34 MJ/Nm3 1,70 zł 10,58 Nm3 17,98 zł
Fluid gas (propane)
 1 l 24 MJ/l 4,00 zł 15 l 60 zł (cylinder cost included)


1 kWh = 3,6MJ

Heating efficiency of heating systems

In case of using electricity as the source of heating power efficiency of such heating system is 100%. There are no loses when it comes to heating system.

In case of heat-exchangers efficiency of heating system depends on heating surface, exchange efficiency, exploatation level of an exchanger. Efficiency of those kind of systems is lower since there is a need to separate exhaust fumes from obtained heat.

Heating system
 Heat transfer method
 Approximated efficiency
Coil heater / electric
 Direct heating
 100%
Torch Oil / gas
In-direct heating through ROMER exchangers
 <90%
Torch Oil / gas In-direct heating throguh typical side-exchanger <70%


Typical side-exchanger (exhaust fumes temperature = 300C)


Work space and heating method

Heat distribution method is also important. Powder coating oven is no typical oven in which you can reach high air velocity. Temperature distribution needs to be obtained using way more sophisticated methods while not blowing off painting from details.

In case of using common methods as one big side heat-exchanger you need to be considerate of the fact that chamber that needs to be heated will be bigger than the one that interests us. Temperature distribution in old technologies is that much inaccurate that even manufacturers recommend keeping a distance from floor and walls.

Oven type
 Heating system
 Necessary floor/walls distance
ROMER
Gravitational oven
 Electric -300mm height
Air circulation oven +- 5 oC
 Electric No distance necessary
Torch oven
 Oil/Gas No distance necessary
Common solutions
Air circulation oven (w/o class) Electric min. -200mm height, -200mm length and width
Torch oven
 Oil/Gas min. -400mm height, -400mm length and width

Read more about the distributions of temperatures



ROMER torches with pollen/cabin filter

Additional exploatation costs

Electric oven service - the only exploatation cost of electric oven is electricity usage. This kind of oven does not need any service. There wasn't a single time that a coil heater have broken since we implemented our new heating system in 2015 (data from 2016.08.06) and there are 2000 of those in circulation.

Torch oven service - Heat-exchanger system implemented oven needs service atleast twice a year. Becouse of their low power ROMER torches fall under way less rigorous laws than any other high-power constructions. Oil torch oven needs additional service becouse of soot appearing in the curing process. Atleast once a year you should blow exchanger with compressed air. Gas torch oven doesn't need any additional service since soot does not appear in those kind of ovens.


ROMER oven control panel


Summary

Oil/gas fueled oven will be more expensive than electric oven, however it's heating faster.
You can assume that this kind of oven is more useful since it will do more work in less time. It is recommended soultion when it comes to exploatation costs and speed of acquiring temperature needed.

Electric oven has lower price and is cheaper in exploatation costs and it does not need any servicing.
It's main con would be lower speed of acquiring temperature needed than in case of using high-power heat-exchanger ovens. However if details are small or painters simply cannot keep up with painting before the oven finishes the heating it will not affect utility of the oven since it will do same amount of work. This kind of oven is ecological and has no side-products such as exhaust fumes.


Each solution has its pros and cons. Your choice should depend on these factors analysis. For small enterprises better solution would be electric oven, for big ones however heat-exchangers oven would be better.

 

 

Data is approximated.

ROMER claims all the rights to change technical data of any equipment that haven't been covered in this article.

Coverage (c) ROMER 2016.