Abstract:
A heating apparatus having features of the present invention comprises a microwave energy source, a reservoir, and a heat exchanger. The reservoir is adapted to contain a flowable medium such as a liquid and is positioned so that the liquid may be heated by the microwave energy source. The heat exchanger is adapted to receive the liquid and is in communication with or coupled to the reservoir. The present invention may further include a pump for circulating the liquid between the reservoir and the heat exchanger. The liquid may be circulated using a conduit. Preferably, the heat exchanger is adapted to use at least some of the liquid heated by the microwave energy source to heat air in proximity to the heat exchanger. Also, a blower positioned near the heat exchanger may be used to direct the air heated by the heat exchanger to a desired space to be heated. The invention is also directed to a method for applying heat to a space comprising the following steps: heating a liquid using microwave energy; passing the heated liquid to a heat exchanger where at least some of the heated liquid is used to heat air; and applying at least some of the heated air to the space.