Infrared heaters: which one to choose, reviews

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Man, as you know, is a heat-loving creature. Especially we feel the lack of heat in the off-season. Rain and piercing wind outside the window, dampness and cold air in the room - what could be worse? The central heating doesn't work and the many clothes don't make you feel comfortable. What to do?

Shops of household and climatic equipment present to their customers just a huge choice. Infrared radiation heaters for space heating are especially popular today. What it is? What are the pros and cons of this wonderful technique? How to make the right choice? Let's figure it out.

IR rays in the heating system

Infrared heaters are a fairly new choice in space heating. They are devoid of almost all the disadvantages that traditional convectors have. The biggest difference is that infrared heaters do not heat the air, but theitems. This means that they can be used in rooms of various functional orientations and with any ceiling height.

The energy that the infrared heater emits is similar in its properties to the energy of the sun we are used to. It raises the temperature of opaque surfaces. And further heating of the air occurs from the fact that objects begin to give off the heat received. Thus, after a while, the floor, cabinets, plants and your own body begin to give off excess heat to the environment, and the air warms up additionally.

The radiation of the IR heater is not afraid of "neither waves nor wind." No drafts can reduce the quality of their work. It's like the sun warming your palms on a clear but windy spring day.

Depending on the brightness of the light supplied, infrared heaters for space heating are divided into:

• longwave (t 600˚C);
• light (t 600˚C).

The former are used in small spaces, such as greenhouses. The latter are used when it is necessary to get a lot of heat.

Varieties of infrared heaters by mounting method

These devices are incredibly convenient for warming up large industrial premises. Infrared heaters for the home are also gaining popularity. Given the goals and objectives of use, you can choose the necessary model. All of them differ in power, appearance, quality and type of device. Additionally, all IR heaters can be divided into 3 large groups depending on the methodmounting:

• on the ceiling;
• on the floor;
• wall models.

Wall models

Such infrared heaters are most often made in the form of decorative interior elements. They can be disguised as a variety of objects, and they radiate heat in different ways. A wall-mounted IR heater can look like a bright designer lamp or a reproduction of a painting.

Modern designers love to use them in their projects. After all, wall-mounted infrared heaters allow you to realize two tasks at once: to diversify the interior and create an atmosphere of warmth and comfort.

Infrared ceiling devices

These are the most comfortable infrared heaters according to user reviews. They take up minimal space. They can be placed in any room, even in the bathroom. Their case is perfectly protected from extraneous influences, so you can not be afraid that something will close there. On sale there are also models imitating "Armstrong" - suspended ceiling tiles. If the ceiling in your home or office is made in this style, then an outsider may not even understand what kind of heat source is right above his head.

There are also models with multi-directional adjustable suspensions. In this way, you yourself will be able to set the direction in which the heat will be dissipated.

If you think over the ceiling heating system well, you can get by with minimal energy losses. For example,a heater installed above the window will cut off any, even the strongest draft. In this way, heat loss can be significantly reduced.

Floor Models

Chinese floor-standing infrared heaters are also quite popular. Their main advantage is mobility. You can carry it with you from room to room, and if necessary, even put it in the closet so as not to clutter up the room.

This heater is very convenient to use on a cool autumn day, when you want to stay outside longer and not freeze at the same time.

Film heating

Another type of popular infrared space heating is PLEN - film-beam heating elements. Such a system does not require complex calculations. Most often, film IR heaters are simply fixed over the entire surface of the ceiling. This is the most preferred option, as the walls can be occupied by pieces of furniture, and the floor is covered with various materials that do not transmit heat well.

Mounting such a system is easy. The main issue is good thermal and waterproofing. This task is perfectly handled by the inexpensive material isolon - polyethylene foam with a foil layer.

The installation of the substrate and the PLEN element itself is carried out using a conventional construction stapler or aluminum tape. Any decorative finishing coating that is capable of transmitting infrared rays is installed on top.

Advantages of IR devices

As can be seen from all of the above, infrared heaters have undeniable advantages:

• Economy. Such heaters "eat" much less electricity than conventional convectors.
• Increased heat dissipation. IR heaters do not heat the air, but objects.
• Ease of use. You do not have to wait for the start of the heating season. You can heat your home whenever you want.
• Anti-allergenic properties. During the operation of such heaters, air movement does not occur (unlike convectors). This means that air turbulence does not occur in the room, dust and various microorganisms do not fly. There are also no drafts during operation.
• Easy to install. Installation of such a heater is not difficult, you do not have to start any complex alterations.
• Compact. Whatever mount the device has, it will not take up much space. And floor models can be easily moved.
• Silence during operation. Infrared heaters are almost silent and are designed with fire safety in mind.
• Speed of getting results. Heating the room to the set parameters takes about 15 minutes on average. No other heating device has yet been able to do this.
• Do not dry the air. IR heaters do not burn oxygen and do not emit odor during operation.
• Give the opportunity, if desired, to warm up not the entire room, but only the area where it isrequired.

Disadvantages of IR Models

In fairness, it must be said that the infrared heater also has negative sides. For example, if the power of the device is not selected correctly, you risk getting thermal burns. Unpleasant consequences can also be from cheap low-quality devices. Therefore, you should not buy an obvious fake, it is better to pay a little more for a well-known brand.

Another disadvantage that many users do not like is the continuous glow. If you leave such a heater overnight, its glow may interfere. So, when choosing a device for installation in the bedroom, consider this point.

Gas portable IR devices

Another type of portable portable devices - infrared gas heaters. They do not require electrical networks at all. Or gas lines. To ensure the operation of such a device, it is enough to stock up on a small cylinder.

Infrared gas heater-burner is ideal for summer house, greenhouse or multi-person tent. What's more, you can take it on a fishing trip, camping trip or picnic.

Everything is arranged quite simply. There is a metal case in which a gas burner, an adjusting assembly and valves are located. Such a system reliably protects the device from malfunctions and guarantees fire safety.

To turn an ordinary burner into a heater, additional elements are used - infraredemitters. Their role can be played by various grids, metal tubes, reflectors or a ceramic panel.

Advantages and disadvantages of gas infrared devices. Features

Infrared gas heaters have many advantages. Among them are the following:

• Easy transportation.
• Reliability. In such heaters, there is practically nothing to fail.
• Compact. Some models are so small that they can fit in a small bag. In online stores of tourist equipment, you can find devices that are not much larger than a regular medium-power hand-held flashlight.
• Economy. The use of such units will save much more money than the use of kerosene or other liquid fuel heaters. Electric heaters are generally considered to be the most expensive heating device.
• Mobility. In the process of work, the presence of central highways is not required. So you can quickly warm up even in the forest or on the banks of the river.
• Efficiency. The efficiency of such devices can reach 80-82%. This is much higher than other types of appliances.

Of course, an infrared gas heater, like any other device, cannot be without drawbacks. Here they are:

• The device assumes the presence of an open flame, and this is an additional risk.
• The principle of operation of such a heater is based on combustion. This entails the burning of oxygen,release of carbon dioxide and combustion products. Therefore, before using such a device in a small enclosed space, make sure there is good ventilation.

Choosing a heater for your home

When choosing a heating device, you should pay attention to the range of the infrared radiation wave of the heaters. They come in three types:

1. Long (over 5.6 microns). Such devices can be used in rooms where the ceiling height does not exceed 3 meters. Various models can produce temperatures from one hundred to six hundred degrees Celsius. However, 120–150˚С is quite enough for an apartment.
2. Medium (2.5-5.6 microns). The operating range of these devices is from 600 to 1,000 degrees. In order for the operation to be safe, they need to be placed where the ceiling height is from 3 to 6 m. Most often, such ceilings have a solid private house or office building.
3. Short (0.74–2.5 µm). The temperature given out by such devices exceeds 1000˚C. Most often they are installed for heating workshops, hangars or other industrial premises with a height of over 6 meters. Such a heater is also suitable for outdoor use.

In order for space heating to be the most efficient, you need to correctly calculate the power of the device. It's easy to do. The ratio is taken as a basis - 100 watts per square meter of the room. If you plan to use the heater only as a source of additional heat, you can get by with a minimum power. The most correct decision would be to choose a model equipped with a thermostat. This will allow you to maintain a comfortable temperature without wasting extra energy.

Power, kW	Heated area (winter), m2	Heated area (spring), m2
0, 4	4	8
0, 6	6	12
0, 8	8	16
1, 0	10	20
1, 3	13	26

If the ceiling height in the room is close to 3 meters, for the calculation it is worth taking a power equal to 130 W per square meter. And if the room has many windows or panoramic windows, this figure should be increased to 150 W.

When choosing a home infrared heater, you should also pay attention to the material from which the heating element is made. It can be glass, regular or anodized aluminum, or a metal plate. The material from which the shell for the radiating element is made is also important. In order of priority, they can be arranged as follows:

• microthermal (tubular);
• carbon;
• ceramic;
• halogen.

If you choose an infrared heater responsibly, it will bring comfortable, safe and cost-effective heat to your home.