Infrared heaters are successfully used for many years, but they are not so widely spread as other heaters. Majority of infrared heaters are used in industrial premises, supermarkets, offices. Gradually they come in the sphere of house heaters, mainly in cottages and summer cottages. They are not very popular because they are more expensive, then convectors or radiators.
What should you know about infrared heaters
The principle of infrared heater emission is similar to sun beams. But it radiates only infrared spectrum, there are no ultraviolet radiation. Coming through the air (it is heated only partially from the heaters surface), thermal energy is transmitted to the objects, on which the heater is directed. The level of surface heating depends on the heat ray hade, material and the surface color.
Necessary power
Standard power of all kinds of heaters is calculated in proportion of 1kWt on 10m². But it often happens that there should be more power to compensate all kinds of heat losses (through windows, walls and overlaps). It is necessary in the case when infrared heater is used as a main source of heat.
If you need an infrared heater as an additional source of heat, then necessary power is calculated for exact conditions. Of course, heat losses should be considered in this case too.
There are not very powerful (300Wt) infrared heaters. Their use is effective for temporal local heating (for example, in the garage or basement). Unlike more powerful infrared-radiators, they can (and even should) be arranged near people.
Some more details of the choice. Many radiators use 240 volt electric network. If you connect them to 220 volt network, they will give lower power. Though from practical point of view, the losses are not significant. That’s why, if you like this model, it shouldn’t be a reason to reject the purchase.
Gas or electricity
Infrared heaters can use electricity or liquefied gas, as a source of energy.
Gas infrared heaters are used for larger premises, that’s why they are not very useful for usual flats. They will be appreciated by the owners of cottages and country-houses. The power of gas infrared-radiators begins from 1,5kWt. Selecting an infrared heater, you should also pay attention to the heating type (direct or indirect). In direct type of heating, the air for the burner comes from the heated premise, and combustion products come back to the premise. That’s why, if you use gas heater with direct heating, you should have effective ventilation system. Indirect heating use the system of gas discharge, but it requires professional mounting.
The advantage of gas heaters is independence of electricity. Gas comes from cylinders of different volume. There may be a problem: a permission to mount gas appliance can be given not for every premise. Of course the process of gas infrared heaters mounting is much easier then creation of thermal networks. But you should consider whether gas delivery and storage are acceptable for you.
Electric infrared heaters can be used at home. Usually heaters of 1,5kWt are used. The main difference in electric infrared heaters is the material of the spiral. Spiral was made on quartz basis, but nowadays there appear more and more carbon infrared heaters. Thermal conductivity of carbonaceous fibers (carbon) is higher, and the heating is faster.
Mounting of infrared heater
The mounting of electric infrared heater is quite easy. It is usually mounted on the ceiling with a help of special mounting brackets that usually go in the set. Infrared heater can be mounted by everyone, you don’t have to be a specialist. The main is to select a place for its mounting. Infrared radiator should be mounted on certain distance from people, otherwise the feeling of overheating won’t be very pleasant. Recommended distance depends on the heater’s power. A heater of 700-800Wt can be mounted on the distance of 0,7meters. If the heater’s power is about 1-1,5kWt, it is recommended to keep minimum a meter away from it. The distance should be measured from infrared heater’s surface to the person’s head. That’s why if 700Wt radiator can be mounted almost in every place in living or office premise with 2,5meter ceiling, a place for heater of twice bigger power should be considered very carefully. It can be a spot over the work place in the office, or over the bed in bedroom. If you mount the infrared heater on mobile brackets, it can be arranged at an angle to the horizon, so you won’t feel any discomfort. In this case it can be mounted on the ceiling as well as on the wall.
If you mount several heaters, you should keep to following rules. First, all the heaters should be connected to the electric network in parallel. Second, there should be a separate automat on the switch board for overcharge protection.
As for the gas infrared heater mounting, everything depends on its modification. If its construction resembles a lamppost, i.e. the capacity for gas is in the heater, then all necessary actions are – periodic top-up. Usually such modification is used as a street heater (on verandah, playground). Other variants need connection to gas cylinder. These operations should be done by specialists.
The number of infrared heaters grows every day. It is first of all caused by the principle of heating that is similar to natural warmth of the sun beams. Besides, you can create a cozy atmosphere without air drying. Infrared heaters are also reliable as for the fire safety. Their only disadvantage is high price. That’s why they are still not in every house.
But technologies are constantly developing and it can be that very soon infrared heater will appear in your house too.