Winter is coming!
A cold winter night is the worst time to discover that your heater needs to be replaced. Prolonged exposure to cold can make it harder to think properly and carry out activities.
The dangers of cold-related illnesses make it essential to have your custom heater running during these cold months. However, your film heaters can suddenly need replacement or repair if you don’t know what to watch out for in your heating system.
We have taken the time to help you understand how to determine whether your heater needs to be replaced or repaired. Your home never has to be without heat ever again!
When Should You Replace Your Heater?
Some custom flexible heaters may have obvious signs when they are due for a change, such as complete failure. But you don’t have to wait that long.
There are some signs and symptoms you can look out for that help you make these decisions. Some of these signs include;
1. The Age of Your Flexible Heater is Old
Like every other manufactured item, unique custom heaters have a shelf life. Irrespective of the material they are made from, they will get weak at some point in their life cycle. It doesn’t matter if it is a silicone rubber heater, polyester heater, or polyimide heater.
A heater can lose its efficiency due to continuous use and other related factors. It could be the frequency of maintenance, environmental consideration, and overloading.
If not stated already, consult your manufacturer to find the shelf-life of your custom heater design. Although custom heaters tend to last longer as they are manufactured for specific purposes, you should know what to expect.
When the shelf-life is exhausted, that’s the first sign you need.
2. When Your Custom Heater is Not Functional Anymore
While it may be obvious to replace your heaters when it is bad, custom flexible heaters, amongst others, can be fixed instead of a complete replacement. You can easily buy and replace some flexible heater elements for effective results.
However, it’s safer to replace your heating system if you have to complete a repair on the entire system. Don’t take chances on repairs if you are not sure they will last long.
Another thing to look out for would be the shelf life left in the heater. If it is due any time soon, it makes more sense to replace it instead of repair it.
3. When Routine Maintenance Is Becoming Hard and Costly
Your flexible custom heater should be able to do its designated job whenever needed. If you frequently have to repair the flexible heater element, silicone heater pad, or some other part of the heater, it is an indicator that you need to replace it.
You might feel like repairing some parts of the heater is far simpler than replacing the entire unit. But heaters do a lot of work and should always be ready to give a hundred percent when required. You might not be getting that hundred percent if you are constantly repairing.
So, if you always replace a part every heating season, it is time to let go of your heater. Changing your heater doesn’t mean you won’t have to do regular maintenance, though. But, it will save you the recurrent cost of replacing a part of the heater at every maintenance check.
Maintenance procedures help you check for factors like wattage and flexible heater build and ensure the proper application of your heaters. You should also check for corrosion and lose connections. These factors can affect the effectiveness of your custom-designed flexible silicone heaters.
Your maintenance routine can help you decide whether to replace the heater. It becomes a judgment call from a professional. Therefore, you are making your choice having all the facts.
4. When Upgrading Your Heating System
If you’re undergoing a system upgrade, bringing in new components, or scaling up, you should consider replacing your heaters too. It will help you ensure that your custom heater keeps working efficiently. A new system often requires an upgrade in your polyimide heater element.
All you need is a high-quality custom-designed silicone rubber heater. However, you must ensure that they are compatible with the new system. Ensure you ask experts to know what Kapton heating will fit.
If you intend to change a significant component of your heating system for any reason, you should also change the heaters. It will help avoid overworking or underworking any part of the system. Significant changes also ensure proper wattage and other required components.
5. When Your Flexible Heater Elements Face New Limitations
It is common for a formerly adequate heating system to no longer be sufficient. There are various limitations that these heater elements face, and they are carefully thought of before being applied.
For example, consider environmental limitations if transferring a system from one place to another. While silicone heaters can not be used in icy areas below -70 degrees, Kapton heaters can be used in temperatures as low as -320 degrees.
The same goes for other limitations such as temperature, chemical resistance, bending, etc. It would help if you replaced your heater when required.
Conclusion
Knowledge of your flexible heater element will save you a lot of stress. This knowledge will come in handy, especially regarding maintenance, repair, and replacement. Having the practical knowledge to make the right call is always essential.
Whichever choice you make, from polyimide Kapton heaters and industrial silicone heaters to film heaters and flexible heater elements, you don’t want them to completely break down before replacing them.
At the same time, you shouldn’t decide with little or no clue why you should do it. These symptoms to look out for will help you navigate your way around them and make the right call when necessary.
