HVAC For Beginners

Tube Heater Ratings

A Repairman Reviews The Brands

With our tube heater ratings, you can compare units side by side using our Head To Head tool. You can compare 20 different models from 12 brands in nine categories such as warranty, efficiency, availability, & cost. You can also read the individual reviews of each brand below. Our simple rating system gives each brand a color code and a star rating. If the card is green, then, that is one of the top picks from HvacRepairGuy. If the card is yellow, then, that would be a budget pick from HvacRepairgGuy. If the card is red, then, the brand is not recommended by HvacRepairGuy. With our tube heater reviews you can cut through the sales hype and find value. It truly is like you were taking a repairman shopping with you!

HvacRepairGuy's 2023 Top Pick

CALCANA

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

The CAL SERIES tube heaters can be vented through the wall or roof and feature aluminized steel tubes to resist corrosion. They offer an optional fresh air kit for added energy savings and the units are available in three sizes. They use direct spark ignition which eliminates problems from a dirty pilot assembly but it is not as reliable as hot surface ignition systems. They are only available through a dealer network and their guarantee is not very good when compared to other brands.

CARIBE

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is from Roberts Gordon and offers compact "U" tube models that used balanced flue combustion which is more energy efficient. They use a concentric vent for ease of installation and can be vented through the roof or sidewall. The units are factory assembled so they are much easier to install. They are available in three sizes and feature aluminized steel tubes that resist corrosion. The units are only available through a dealer network and their guarantee is not very good when compared to other brands.

COMBUSTION RESEARCH

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

The SERENGETI -IR packages are available in straight or "U" configurations for ease of installation and are backed by a very good guarantee. They are available in five sizes and use aluminized steel tubes to resist corrosion. The units are only available through a limited dealer network.

EASY RADIANT

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in Canada and is backed by a good warranty but they are only sold through authorized distributors in North America. The EZ-DUZZIT range offers U, L, and straight configurations to match the needs of the space and are available for either natural or LP gas. The units offer flexibility as they accept either 24 volt or 120 volt controls. The HEATWAVE offers a compact ready to hang unit right out of the box and is a good option for smaller spaces.

HEATSTAR

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This brand is made in the USA by Enerco and the HS45 model is available for either natural or LP gas. The units use spark to pilot ignition which involves more maintenance and less reliable operation. The units are backed by a good warranty but they are only available through a distributor network.

INFRASAVE

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is from Schwank Group and the P40-IR is a compact preassembled unit with a ten foot length. They can be installed at a 30 degree angle for convenience to direct the heat as desired. They offer an optional gas conversion kit for field conversion from natural gas to LP. The units are only available through dealers and their guarantee is not very good when compared to other brands.

RE-VERBER-RAY

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in the USA by DETROIT RADIANT PRODUCTS COMPANY. The heaters use aluminized steel tubes which resist corrosion and are available in optional U and L configurations. They use hot surface ignition which is more reliable and requires less maintenance than spark ignition systems. The LS series offers basic single stage units in lengths of 10, 20, or 30 feet. The LD series offers units with a two stage gas valve for added efficiency. The units are only sold through a limited dealer network and their warranty is not as good as many brands.

SCHWANK

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

The compactSchwank (P40-R) is a compact preassembled tube heater with a ten foot length. They can be installed at a 30 degree angle for convenience to direct the heat as desired. They offer an optional gas conversion kit for field conversion from natural gas to LP. The units are only available through dealers and their guarantee is not very good when compared to other brands.

SOLARONICS

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

This brand is made in the USA and is backed by a good warranty but they are only sold through a dealer/installer network. The RH model is a basic tube heater with aluminized steel tubes that resist corrosion and a durable titanium coated combustion chamber. The units can be installed in straight, U, or L configurations but they use direct spark ignition which is not as reliable as hot surface ignition and usually requires more maintenance.

SUNSTAR

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

The SIR series offers compact tube heaters in either straight or "U" configurations and they can be vented through the wall or the roof. They are available in six sizes but they use direct spark ignition which is less reliable and usually requires more maintenance. The standard units use basic steel tubes which do not resist corrosion but they offer optional aluminized steel tubes that do. The heaters can be purchased on Amazon but their guarantee is not as good as some of the other brands.

SUPERIOR RADIANT

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in Canada and is sold through authorized dealers but their warranty is not as good as some brands. The units are preassembled for easy installation and feature a two stage gas valve to match the garage heating needs. They use external air for combustion which is more efficient overall and they have a concentric vent so that only one hole is required in the wall or roof. They use direct spark ignition which is less reliable and usually requires more maintenance than hot surface ignition systems.

UNIVERSAL-RAY

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in the USA by DETROIT RADIANT PRODUCTS COMPANY. The RH Series offers six sizes of single stage heaters in straight, U, or L configurations and with either standard or aluminized steel tubes. The RHT Series offers two stage models and all of the units are sold through dealers and their guarantee is not very good when compared to other brands.

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