The infrared heaters are in trend. But, are they really worth it or just a waste of money? Winters often turn out to be the most uncomfortable days of the whole year. Especially at night, the outside temperature went below the tolerable range and now you’ve to spend the whole night with unpleasant periods of sleep.
Well, infrared heaters are something new to the market. But the benefits they provide you with are non-negotiable. With them you can easily expect to save a tonne of money on electric bills, they’re human friendly and don’t cost much.
But, to make a firm decision, it’s important to know at least a bit about the technology of the product. Given below is everything you’ll need to know about infrared heating and heaters. Moreover, you’ll know why you should consider them in the first place.
What is Infrared Heating?
The idea of infrared heating to man is a recent thing, but it’s billions of years old to nature. And our Sun is the most evident proof to the above statement. Wondering How?
Our planet receives varieties of energy in the form of waves. Some of these famous electromagnetic waves are Visible light, UV rays, and infrared rays. Nevertheless, every type of ray has some impact on Earth, some of them are helpful to us while some are harmful as well.
Fortunately, the infrared rays act as the friend of mother nature and are responsible for the heat we experience. These rays are pretty much straightforward due to their long wavelength. They directly heat the objects (trees, animals, houses in this case) without wasting much energy in the medium.
Ever enjoyed sunbath during warm sunny days? You started feeling the warmth in no time, isn’t it? Another valid example of infrared heating is the heat our body produces. This phenomenon is widely known as heat radiation also.
The above phenomenon is simple yet effective for us. This is the main reason why we’ve started using infrared heating lately. And the infrared heater is among them.
A Brief History of Infrared Radiation
The credit for discovering infrared radiation goes to the German astronomer, Sir William Herschel. He experimented back in early 1800s to observe the magnitude of different waves with different wavelengths.
He also came up with several interesting facts about these infrared rays. The experiment conducted by Sir William Herschel brought several discoveries to the science world. He observed the high radiant waves as infrared rays but there was more to it.
He found that despite being a high wavelength ray, infrared includes the whole spectrum of radiant heat in itself. This range includes a high-intensity heat of 2600 degrees being the highest and 20 degrees is on the lower side).
These categories are-
- Short Wave or Near Infrared (IR-A)
- Middle Wave or Medium Infrared (IR-B)
- Long Wave or Far Infrared (IR-C)
We shall get into these categories to compare the quality of an ideal infrared heater.
Near-Infrared or IR-A
Near-Infrared or IR-A aren’t friendly to any living organism. They’re too direct and intensely hot. Our body automatically goes to the defensive mechanism and attempts to not absorb this heat as much as possible.
The rays in the spectrum are denoted by bright orange and red colors for indicating high-intensity heat. Many hot lamps and patio heaters tend to heat the environment by emitting short waves. Thus, you’ll experience discomforting heat and a suffocating environment.
Medium Infrared or IR-B
As the name suggests, the Medium Infrared or IR-B lies just behind the short waves. Their wavelength varies from 1.5 microns to 3 microns and is denoted with dark red color in the spectrum.
The Middle wave tends to behave friendly with human beings. However, they aren’t the best fit but absorbing them wouldn’t cause much harm too. These waves are favorable for public areas, saunas, and factory uses (mostly in drying processes).
Far infrared or IR-C
Far infrared/IR-C are the most ideal for every living organism. Their wavelength varies from 3 microns to 1000micros. And the heat emitted by these waves is of low intensity as compared to the other categories.
Fortunately, this temperature range works just fine for us. It doesn’t only provides comfortable warmth but also helps the body in various ways.
A quality infrared heater should come with mostly Long-wave infrared rays.
How Does an Infrared Heater Works?
Infrared heaters operate by emitting infrared radiation, a type of energy on the electromagnetic spectrum. This energy travels in straight lines and directly heats objects, surfaces, and people within its range.
Unlike conventional heaters, which warm the air in a room, infrared heaters transfer heat directly to solids without relying on air as a medium. This method mimics the warmth of sunlight, providing efficient and targeted heating.
When powered on, an infrared heater uses a specific heating element, often made from quartz, ceramic, or carbon. These materials generate infrared waves when they are electrified. The generated infrared radiation moves through the air and warms anything it contacts, including furniture, walls, and human bodies.
Because it focuses on objects rather than air, the heat feels immediate and consistent, even in drafty or poorly insulated spaces.
Here’s the real benefit. The infrared rays are just opposite to the harmful UV rays which are of small wavelengths. Thus, no matter how much we consume infrared, it’s not going to harm our bodies or any other objects. Indeed, you’ll feel more heat with the increased time and intensity of the heater.
Moreover, this heat is the most ideal heat for all the warm blood species. This is what we’re meant for. To use the room heater for the utmost comfort you should maintain the room temperature between 16 °C to 26 °C. This is the sweet spot temperature where even elders of your house will have no problem staying in.
Thanks to the straightforward nature of the infrared rays, maintaining such a range is now easier and faster. The heater will quickly make you warm without wasting any energy in the medium.
Types of Fuel for Infrared Heaters
Infrared heaters consume electricity, propane, or natural gas, depending on their design. Electric infrared heaters convert electrical energy into radiant heat through their heating element.
Gas-powered models ignite fuel to create heat, making them suitable for outdoor use or areas with poor electrical access. Both types of heaters have become popular in residential, industrial, and outdoor settings due to their effectiveness and energy efficiency.
The design of an infrared heater also improves its functionality. Many models include reflectors that help direct the heat towards a specific area. These reflectors focus the infrared waves, increasing the concentration of heat in targeted zones. As a result, these heaters are highly effective for spot heating, reducing the need for energy consumption to warm an entire space.
Pros of an Infrared Heater
There’s no doubt that infrared heaters have an upper hand over other conventional heaters. Some of them are not primary while others will uplift your lifestyle. Let us have a deeper look at it.
1. Efficient
Infrared heaters offer a highly efficient way to warm spaces by using radiant heating technology. Unlike conventional heaters, which warm the air around them, infrared heaters directly heat objects and people. This mechanism reduces energy waste because the heat goes precisely where it is needed.
2. Instant Heat
Another advantage of infrared heaters lies in their rapid heating capabilities. When turned on, these devices begin to emit warmth almost instantly. This feature is particularly useful in colder climates where quick relief from chilly temperatures is necessary.
3. Zero Noise
Another intriguing feature of infrared heaters is that they produce zero noise. The whole credit goes to their working mechanism. There’s no need for a fan to spread the warm air all over the room. Instead, these heaters use light energy that doesn’t require any rotation to generate heat.
This feature becomes more vital to have distraction-free sleep. You’ll never have to listen to the buzzing sound in exchange for comfortable warmth.
4. Feels Natural
The heat generated by infrared heaters feels similar to natural sunlight, creating a comforting and pleasant environment. This quality has made them popular choices for outdoor patios, garages, and even large open spaces like warehouses.
5. Save Bills
Even the most top-notch ceramic heaters are no match to the infrared heaters in terms of saving both energy and money. The single reason for not using convection for heating provides a great benefit to the infrared types.
In general, conventional heaters use up to 40 Watts of electricity to heat every cubic meter. The number itself seems much higher for savings oriented families. But don’t worry at all, here’s a piece of good news.
You’ll be amazed to know that infrared heaters only consume 25 Watts of electricity per cubic meter. Thus, you start getting 35% savings right from the beginning.
Apart from the savings in electric bills, these heaters don’t demand much care as well. You can easily expect a high life expectancy of 20,000 hours to 60,000 working hours.
Cons of an Infrared Heater
By looking at the list of the advantages of infrared heaters over conventional ones, the winner has already been declared. However, as every coin has two faces, an infrared heater also comes with several downsides. Let us discuss and know whether these will bother you or not.
1. Limited Range
Infrared heaters work best for localized heating, meaning they warm the areas or objects directly in their path. Consequently, they may not efficiently heat larger rooms or spaces unless you install multiple units. This limitation makes them less effective for central heating in homes with several interconnected rooms.
2. No Residual Heat
Unlike conventional systems, which can retain warmth in the air for some time, infrared heaters stop providing warmth immediately after being turned off (or if the power goes out). As a result, maintaining a consistent temperature may require keeping the heater running continuously, potentially increasing energy consumption depending on usage patterns.
2. No Power No Heat
The most visible downside of this heater is you’ll stop getting the heat, the moment you’ll switch it off (or power goes out). As there’s no convection, the heat doesn’t get trapped in the air.
Conclusion
An infrared heater is a wonder in the heater space. Its innovative yet powerful technique of providing heat is slowly capturing the market majority. In this guide, we saw the basics of infrared heating, how does an infrared heater work, and also their pros and cons.
