Infrared heaters: specifications, features

An infrared heater is a heating system that can be suitable for heating a wall or a corner, a single room or an entire house, and even a huge industrial space. Such heaters have many varieties, so for the right choice of apparatus, you can understand the characteristics of each model.

General characteristics

The system of operation of any infrared heater is that it sends rays, radiating heat. This happens thanks to the reflector built into it, which can be either aluminum or steel. The problem is that the emitted rays transmit heat, which is reflected from the floor and furniture, as a result of which the equipment can fail.

This issue can be adjusted by carefully selecting an infrared heater for the height of the ceiling and the area of ​​the room. In addition, the device is regulated by a thermostat, which is a distinctive feature of infrared heaters from other heating systems. It allows:

• autonomously heat the room by setting a certain heating mode, which will be maintained, saving electricity;
• to heat a certain area of ​​the room, for example, if you need to heat one of the corners or a workplace, just select the desired temperature and maintain its mode.

The key characteristics of the units can be both general and depend on their variety:

• Short-wave heaters with a wavelength of 0.73 to 2.5 microns tend to quickly heat up the room in a short period of time and reach high temperatures. Long-wave heaters (from 50 to 1000 microns) have a low heating temperature and, accordingly, heat the room much longer.

Household models of heaters can vary in power from 400 (as a rule, wall-mounted ones have just such power) to 2000 watts. The palm, of course, is given to ceiling models, and their power can reach 600 watts. The fact is that the correct distribution of heat helps to heat a small room in a short time.

Infrared heaters are classified depending on the direction of the heat generated:

• point — have a narrow direction of heat distribution, which is good when used in the office, when you need to «warm up» the workplace, or at home if you are cold.
• portable or stationary — they have the ability to direct heat rays to a specific area, they are adjustable using a control panel or a thermostat «for themselves», which increases their demand both for domestic use and on an industrial scale.

Different types of infrared heaters may have sufficient moisture insulation. To do this, you need to pay attention to the marking of the unit: if it has an IP of 24, such an unit will even fit into the sauna. This designation indicates protection not only in a damp room, but also against splashes and drops of water.

Heaters differ depending on the heating element they use:

• ceramic the device is inherent in models that are mounted on the ceiling or wall type;
• halogen the device is quite compact in size, so it can be used both in industrial buildings and on the street;
• quartz or carbon this is a device with a tubular heating element based on quartz or carbon lamps, which has the smallest dimensions, therefore it can be easily mounted in a generating panel, but its cost is high compared to other units, especially for carbon lamps.

Infrared heaters have a low fire hazard, so it should not be installed in fire (explosive) areas.

Characteristics of film heaters

Built-in heaters, which are also called film heaters, are very convenient, since they can be «embedded» in stretch ceilings or make a warm floor, so the heating will take place in an «invisible» way, and it is safe for children and adults.

Features of infrared films depend on their type.

striped film

It has characteristic graphite stripes and a copper bus. When buying, you need to pay attention that the copper bus is at least 1.5 cm wide, and the graphite strips also have the optimal width and the minimum space between them.

The advantage of the striped film is the most affordable price and the ability to choose the size that you can “fit” into your interior, and the disadvantage in comparison with the continuous film is that the striped film heats up more slowly and it has a maximum heating temperature limit.

continuous film

It has a high level of efficiency, so it heats up faster, but its price is slightly higher than that of the striped one. Of the pluses, one can also single out the fact that a continuous film can be cut as you like — even along an oblique, even along a wave line, in order to fit it into the interior. The striped film is cut only in a straight line. But even in this case, it should be noted that the size of this film is 50 cm, there are practically no other sizes in use. It is also worth noting the low maintainability of this type.

Characteristics of heaters depending on the installation location

Infarction heaters are classified according to the installation site, so it is worth considering the characteristics of different models:

Ceiling

Ceiling heaters are used to heat both residential and industrial premises, because they have the following features:

• easy to use, invisible in the room;
• economical compared to other types of heating, including central;
• do not dry the air — the heat is distributed evenly, so there is no feeling of stuffiness in the room;
• they heat the room very quickly, and the temperature is maintained with the help of a thermostat, due to which there is a significant energy saving;
• do not create noise during operation;
• have a long period of operation.

Film-type ceiling heaters are “built into the ceiling”, but if this causes difficulties for you or, for example, neighbors “flood” you with enviable regularity, you can use a heater that is simply attached to the ceiling. However, it is difficult to fit into the design, because it has an ultra-conservative look and is large. Of course, such models are suitable for office or industrial premises. Despite this minus, their use in private households is not uncommon, because it is a high-quality infrared heater.

floor standing

Such heaters are also popular in use, since in everyday life they can be “embedded” both in a rug and under a laminate during repairs. They create the effect of a «warm floor», although they can be adjusted depending on the desired temperature regime. The usual temperature for a comfortable stay on such a warm floor is 26-27 degrees. The advantage of underfloor heaters is that, like ceiling heaters, they evenly distribute heat.

wall

Such infrared heaters do not have such a global range of action as ceiling and floor ones, rather their “calling” is to heat a wall or part of a room. They have some advantages:

• have a diverse design, which in the form of photo wallpapers can not only fit, but also decorate any interior;
• the weight of this heater is no more than a kilogram, so it is very convenient to carry;
• safe to use, because their surface does not heat up (most often, thermal insulation is provided in such models).

It is not recommended to install ceiling-type heaters in the bedroom or nursery, because a direct flow of heat can have a bad effect on your well-being, but the “warm floor” effect or wall-mounted heaters are in perfect harmony with the nursery and bedroom (only if you chose the wall-mounted heating option, check the presence of thermal insulation on it).

Are infrared heaters harmful to health? Read about it here.

Gas infrared heaters: pros and cons

Infrared heaters can be not only electric, but also gas. This type of heater is completely autonomous, but has not gained popularity in domestic use, because:

• «burns» oxygen, that is, when it is used in a small room or apartment, the effect of a stuffy room occurs;
• during the operation of this unit, air and propane interact, therefore, according to the prescription, they are used in rooms from 25 sq. m of industrial use with high ceilings.

An emitter based on a gas burner can be used both on hikes, and in the country, and during the period of turning off the heating, because even a small unit will cope with such a temporary, but necessary task.

If you have not yet decided which type of heater is best to purchase, then we recommend reading this article.

If you approach the choice thoroughly, you can find models equipped with a sensor that will work if the amount of carbon monoxide in the room is exceeded, and also turn off the unit if a fire is near, so that your safety will be under reliable protection.

Infrared heaters are safe, compact and have a number of advantages over their «opponents», and film heaters win today’s marathon because of the ability to make «invisible» to the eye and high-quality heating, both for private and industrial premises.