Tanya Turner

Infrared Heater - Convenient and Efficient



Posted: Monday, March 05, 2007

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Do you need an additional heater, to complement your central heating system? Sometimes it just doesn't make sense to turn up the temperature in the entire house so you can warm up one room you are in. It is much better to use an additional heater. Infrared heater can be of great help. Find out what are the benefits of infrared heaters comparable to other heaters. Infrared heater efficiency

Most heaters work by warming the air in the room. People in the room are warmed by the air. Not only this wastes energy on warming up the air, but also you don't feel the benefits of the heater as soon as it is switched on. It might take several minutes for a room to warm up. Infrared heaters work differently. They don't heat up the air it heats objects that are directly in its path. As a result people in the area are warmed directly by the heater and not by the air.

This principle makes infrared heaters very energy efficient. Another advantage is that you don’t have to turn the heater on half an hour or hour in advance to pre-heat the room. You feel the warmth immediately.

Types of infrared heaters

Here are the most popular types of infrared heaters:

Often people are worried that infrared heaters are not safe. There is really no need to worry. Most modern infrared heaters have a protective sheath to cover the heating elements. The cover is usually made of metal such as aluminum, brass, copper, iron or stainless steel. Blowing curtains won’t become a fire hazard with an infrared heater. Most home models are pretty safe, but of course children shouldn't be allowed to play with the heating unit.

Another advantage is that infrared heater doesn't make the air in the room dry. The principle of its work is very similar to the way sun warms us on a bright day.
You can find indoor infrared heaters as well as outdoor and patio heaters. The source of fuel can be different, infrared heater can run off electricity, natural gas or propane.

More tips for efficient heating

Using an additional infrared heater can save you a great deal on your energy bill. But there is more you can do. First, check for drafts and boost the insulation. At the beginning of winter, make sure that window caulking and storm windows are in good shape. You should also check thermostats and install timers for your central heating.

For information on selecting the best infrared heater for your family visit Heater Buying Guide . We provide consumer tips for all types of heaters.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by Charles
from usa 2 years 78 days ago.
Nice article.

I would like to add a few things. Infrared heaters do heat the air as well. They bring in cooler air through the back of the unit, run it through heat chambers and then with the use of a fan push it out into the room.

Yes they are known for heating objects but it is heated air and will rise as well. However, the heat will not rise nearly as fast as conventional heating because it does not rob the air of humidity, but rather heats the water molecules in the room making it denser and heavier.

Another thing that is important to note is that you do need to let it heat the room. It is not going to instantly heat the room. Here is how it kind of works. Imagine filling a room with smoke but only letting it fill for 2 minutes. The smoke would enter a few feet then stop. Now imagine keeping the smoke going for lets say 20 minutes to a half hour. In this case the smoke would fill the room. This is how Infrared heaters work.

Safety wise. There are many different models of Infrared heaters. Not all are created equally. Keep in mind that there are two main styles. One uses hot Quartz bulbs and the other Infrared heating lamps that look more like a bulb than a tube.

The other thing is that some have plastic cases which in my experience has been known to melt. I have seen it!

I give this information as someone who uses Infrared heaters and knows the insides and outsides of all the major brands.

Charles
SolarComfortHeating
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