Why infrared heater

Once the thermal mass is warm, the building itself retains the heat for a period of time, so the heater only needs to be on to top up. Most of other forms of heaters are convection heaters which primarily heat volumes of air, which then has to transfer its heat to the building in order to warm the thermal mass. The direct transfer of heat to the building is why Herschel is more efficient and saves energy compared to convection heating.

Herschel infrared panels do not heat the air and so typically only need 25 watts per m3. You may be forgiven for thinking a kilowatt of energy must possess the same heat transfer properties whether emitted by a convection or radiant heater, but this is not correct.

This is because infrared light from the sun is absorbed by your skin and clothing and, therefore, warms your body. Infrared heaters work much like the sun. They emit infrared light, invisible to the naked eye, which is absorbed by you and the objects in the room.

To product the infrared light they use a series of coils and a reflector to direct the light outward. The absorption of this light warms your body. These types of heaters are most ideal for family rooms, insulated garages, or open living spaces. From key features and advantages to their best use and care tips, here's everything you should consider before buying an infrared heater. Infrared heaters are more energy-efficient than other space heaters.

They use percent of the heat they produce, which creates almost no loss in heat transfer to zone heat at a low cost. This is because, unlike other supplemental heating appliances , infrared heaters do not heat the air and instead emit infrared radiation that only warms the objects the radiation touches. The physics involved is similar to the way sunlight warms objects, which means there is a natural feel to being warmed by the heat from an infrared space heater. Because they do not move large quantities of air around, they don't dry out the air excessively or move dust around compared to forced-air heating systems.

They are also considerably safer than other types of space heaters since the heating coils do not become ultra hot. Forced-air heating systems transfer heat by warming air and blowing it through ductwork and vents. There are multiple varieties, including natural gas-heated systems and electric heating elements. However, the overall efficiency of the infrared heaters depends greatly on how the unit is engineered, constructed, and how much it's being used in coordination with other heat sources in your home.

There are three styles of electric infrared heaters: portable wheeled units with infrared heating technology, compact heaters with partial infrared capability combined with other forms of heating systems, and freestanding electric infrared fireplaces. Some units are portable and can be easily relocated carrying by hand or, with larger models, using built-in wheels. You're also likely to find them along production lines in factories, but infrared heaters aren't reserved for industrial sites and cavernous areas.

Because of their ability to focus heat on objects and not just pump hot air into a room, they're useful in home construction or improvement projects, such as helping paint dry. Anytime direct heat is needed, infrared heat may be the answer. You might even find infrared heaters in use at your local gym or spa -- infrared saunas are beginning to grow in popularity. New technology directs infrared rays toward bodies, warming them in a similar fashion as the sun's rays would, but without the UV rays.

Saunas of the past relied on traditional methods of producing large quantities of heat to first warm the air and then the bodies in the sauna. Infrared heat skips the air and directly heats bodies far more efficiently. A study set out to test the effects of infrared heaters used in industrial buildings.

Since infrared radiation is the kind we experience from the sun, the study found that the human body is able to withstand the typical amount of radiation emitted by the infrared heater. The study found that infrared heaters have many benefits, including greater energy efficiency and a better living environment due to the use of natural gas, the least damaging fossil fuel [source: Sage Journals Online ].

Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Home Improvement. Home DIY. Heating and Cooling. How Infrared Heaters Work. When to Use Infrared Heaters. Infrared Heater Specifications It's difficult to make general claims about infrared heaters because there are so many different specifications.