Infrared heaters: specifications, features

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

General characteristics

The operation system of any infrared heater is that it sends rays, emitting heat. This is due to the built-in reflector in 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 may fail.

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

• 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, it is enough to select the desired temperature and maintain its mode.

Key characteristics of aggregates can be both general and depend on their variety:

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

Household models of heaters can vary in power from 400 (as a rule, wall-mounted ones have just that 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 according to the direction of heat generated:

• point - have a narrow focus 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 - have the ability to direct heat rays to a specific area, are adjustable using the remote control control or thermostat "for themselves", which increases their relevance both in domestic use and in industrial scale.

Different types of infrared heaters can have sufficient moisture insulation. To do this, you need to pay attention to the labeling of the unit: if it has IP from 24, such a unit is suitable even in a sauna. This designation indicates protection not only in a humid room, but also against splashes and drops of water.

Heaters differ depending on the heating element that 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 in industrial buildings and on the street;
• quartz or carbon - it is a device with a tubular heating element based on quartz or carbon lamps, which has the smallest dimensions, so it can it is easy to mount in the 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 hazardous (explosive) rooms.

Characteristics of film heaters

Built-in heaters, which are also called film heaters, are very convenient, since they can be "built-in" in tension ceilings or make a warm floor, so heating will occur in an "invisible" way, moreover, safe for children and adults.

Features of infrared films depend on their type.

Striped film

It has characteristic graphite strips and a copper busbar. When buying, you need to pay attention to the copper bus being at least 1.5 cm wide, and the graphite strips to have the same width and minimum space between them.

The plus 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 minus in comparison with a continuous film is that the strip heats up more slowly and it has a maximum temperature limit heating up.

Solid film

It has a high level of efficiency, therefore it heats up faster, but its price is slightly higher than that of the striped one. Of the pluses, it can still be distinguished that a continuous film can be cut as you like - even along an oblique, at least a wave line, to fit it into the interior. The striped film is cut only in a straight line. But in this case, it should be noted that the size of this film is 50 cm, other sizes are practically never used. It is also worth noting the low maintainability of this type.

Characteristics of heaters depending on the installation site

Heart attack heaters are classified by the installation site, so it is worth considering the characteristics of different models:

Ceiling

Ceiling heaters are used to heat rooms both residential and industrial scale, because they have such features:

• convenient to use, invisible indoors;
• economical in comparison with 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;
• the room is heated very quickly, and the temperature is maintained with the help of a thermostat, due to which there is significant energy savings;
• do not create noise during the work;
• have a long period of operation.

Film-type ceiling heaters are “built into the ceiling”, but if this is difficult for you or For example, the neighbors “fill up” you with enviable regularity, you can use a heater that simply attaches to to the ceiling. However, it is difficult to fit into the design, because it has an ultra-conservative appearance 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

Such heaters are also popular in use, since in the domestic plan they can be “built-in” both into the rug and under the laminate during repair. They create the effect of "warm floor", although they can be adjusted depending on the desired temperature. The usual temperature for a comfortable stay on such a warm floor is 26-27 degrees. The advantage of floor heaters is that, like ceiling heaters, they evenly distribute heat.

Wall mounted

Such infrared heaters do not have such a global spectrum of action as ceiling and floor, 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 wallpaper can not only fit, but also decorate any interior;
• the weight of this heater is not more than a kilogram, so it is very convenient to carry;
• safe to use, because their surface does not heat up (most often, such models provide thermal insulation).

It is not recommended to install ceiling-type heaters in a bedroom or a nursery, because a direct heat flow can adversely affect your well-being, but the effect “Warm floor” or wall heaters are in harmony with the children's room and bedroom (only if you chose the wall option for heating, check the presence on it thermal insulation).

Does an infrared heater cause harm 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, as prescribed, they are used in rooms of 25 square meters. m industrial purpose with high ceilings.

The gas burner-based emitter can be used both on hikes, in the country, and during the shutdown heating, because even a small size unit can cope with such a temporary, but necessary task.

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

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

Infrared heaters are safe, compact and have several 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 private and industrial premises.