What Is Infrared Heater?
Many people do not know what is infrared, and in fact, it comes with a lot of confusion. To prevent confusion, any time when you step out into the sun, the sunlight you feel (that warm heat) has a combination of infrared and ultraviolet rays. The infrared is responsible for the warmth we feel, and the UV is damaging (known to cause skin cancer and burns). We do feel the infrared heat, but we do not see it.
That is because infrared light/heat is beyond the spectrum we can see with our eyes, and its wavelength ranges between 0.78 to 2.5 micrometres (microns). Therefore, we can say that an infrared heater is a device that works by converting energy into radiant heat. The radiant heat produced travels in a straight line and does not get absorbed by the air like firewood heat. Therefore, this means that it will warm any object it meets, which makes it a great tool for providing heat.
The Advantages Of Infrared Heater
• Efficient
Unlike many other forms of heating, infrared heaters are silent and efficient. This makes them an ideal choice for rooms like the bedroom. For example, a traditional gas-fired radiator tends to be noisy. This comes from the movement of water, clicking pipes, and the noise from the radiator itself. Let’s not forget the noise from the fans. Furthermore, gas heaters are not ideal for bedrooms.
• Instant Heat
Because the radiant heat produced travels in a straight line and is not absorbed by the air, it offers instant heat. What does this mean? Well, it simply means that the moment you turn it on, you get heat instantly. Conventional heaters will take approximately 5 to 10 minutes to warm a room, which is longer compared to infrared heaters. If you are looking for ‘electric panel heater‘ then check out Electric Heating Expert.
• Health Benefits
Although there are some safety issues with infrared heaters, they offer health benefits. Because it does not warm the air, the level of humidity will remain the same. For this reason, there will not be the need to add a humidifier to rebalance moisture in the air, like when using conventional heaters.
The Disadvantages Of Infrared Heaters
• Safety
As mentioned, safety is one of its major issues. Because infrared travels in a straight line and is excellent at providing direct targeted heat, its heating elements can get extremely hot, and the heat produced can be intense. For this reason, it is wise to keep the area around the heater free from objects. It can be a potential hazard for children and pets around. For this reason, it is wise to use it in places where it is safe for everyone, including pets.
• Potential Health Issues
Even though UV rays are known to cause health issues, prolonged exposure to infrared radiation may be damaging to the eyes and skin. Although it is seen with high levels of exposure and not associated with home heating, it is still something to consider. On the other hand, if you sit too close to it, you may experience blotchy skin, and damages may occur at the cellular level. Also, extensive use leads to sweating, which may lead to water loss and dehydration.
• Using It As An Isolate Heating
Although infrared heaters are excellent for providing zonal heat, this is a disadvantage use of the heater. They can be used to heat a large space. It offers direct heat, which means it heats objects surrounding it rather than the air in-between. This makes it easy to warn a room and maintain the desired temperature. If you use the infrared heater to warm a zone or an area rather than the whole room, this means that you are misusing it. This is a waste of the energy it uses and a reduction of its efficiency.