Infrared heaters: types of models and principle of operation, benefits and harms to health, installation

Infrared heaters are household appliances for heating an apartment or house in addition to central heating. Most household heaters do not work very well. They heat only the air, from which heat is transferred to people and the house. Infrared heaters work by heating directly the surfaces of objects, from which heat goes into the surrounding space.

Principle of operation

The heater consists of an infrared emitter that generates infrared waves of a certain range, and a reflector that softens the radiation and directs it in the desired direction. Distinctive feature of the heaternd IR radiation is the ability to immediately heat the surface at which they are directed, and not the air around them.

This principle of operation makes IR models very effective: the room heats up very quickly. This feature is relevant for owners of country houses. In winter, you can quickly warm up a house or a specific room after a long absence, or if the central heating has not worked for some time.

Installation methods

All models can be divided into three categories depending on the installation method. You should choose between them solely based on your own needs and the characteristics of the room.

1. Wall mounted. If there are children at home, such a model should be hung at a height unattainable for them. It is advisable not to be constantly directly under the heater or close to it, therefore, do not install near a bed, sofa or armchair.
2. Outdoor. Comparatively inexpensive and mobile models that simply move from room to room when needed. Lightweight and compact, floor standing infrared heaters are perfect for most apartments.
3. Ceiling. The placement of ceiling models must be planned carefully. In apartments with low ceilings, ceiling heaters should not be placed over appliances and furniture, as this can cause them to overheat. Heaters should not be placed in children's rooms, bedrooms, above the workplace.

Despite all the safety modern heaters infrared radiation, prolonged exposure under them is not recommended. Regular exposure of the head and skin to direct infrared rays from a working heater can cause overheating and negative health effects. While floor-standing models can always be rearranged, the installation of other types of heaters requires a careful analysis of the living space.

Varieties of devices

The type of heating particles installed inside the appliance is of great importance. Three options are currently popular: carbon, ceramic and halogen.

1. Ceramic. A good option, since the device does not generate a glow and only works on medium and long waves, without generating dangerous short ones.
2. Halogen. They are used less and less because they emit a bright light during operation, which irritates the eyes. In addition, the heater for halogen models is a source of short-wave infrared radiation.
3. Carbon fiber. They glow only with a small red light, which sometimes has a negative effect on patients with allergies and asthma. Much less harmful than halogen, but more harmful than ceramic models.

Attention should be paid to the thermal insulation of the heating element, which prevents the housing from heating and melting. Any chemical additives with prolonged strong heating can release toxic substances. Basalt, preferably with no impurities, is considered the best insulation option for such infrared devices.

The recently appeared IR film heaters should be noted separately. With their help, you can quickly heat a large area, floor and walls. Generated heat and waves do not harm health and are absorbed by humans for the benefit of the body. The maximum heating temperature for film models is about 50 degrees - enough for domestic use.

Benefits and Benefits

Quality models from reliable manufacturers, when installed correctly and in the right place, will perfectly perform the heating function and delight you with the benefits of infrared radiation. Household infrared models have the following advantages:

1. High efficiency and quick heating of surfaces. Infrared waves travel through the air without heating it.
2. The equipment does not make sounds, does not burn oxygen, does not dry the air in the room.
3. Heating surfaces ensures long-term preservation of heat after turning off the heating.
4. The new models allow you to quickly and easily adjust the zones and heating intensity.
5. In the process of work, there is no air movement, dust does not rise.
6. In normal amounts, infrared radiation is beneficial to the human body.

The human body also emits infrared rays, losing heat in the long wavelength range of 6 to 20 micrometers. Infrared waves in this range are safe and even beneficial to humans. To guarantee hitting the right numbers, the wavelength in modern household heating models is from 7 to 14 micrometers.

The harm of infrared heaters

Despite all the precautions, infrared heaters are harmful to humans if used improperly or initially incorrectly selected equipment for a specific task. Most of the models on the market operate in a temperature range of 300 to 800 degrees Celsius, and the wavelength of the emitted waves depends solely on the temperature.

Are infrared heaters harmful to humans? No, if the heating element operates at temperatures up to 400 degrees. During such operation, the device does not glow, and the waves emitted by it are safe and beneficial for humans. With increasing temperature a heater above 400 degrees, the waves shift and become shorter, so an infrared heater is most dangerous at maximum power.

Infrared heaters are harmful to health if:

1. For a long time to be directly next to him.
2. The system is constantly running at full power.
3. Ceiling heating installed in bedroom or other safety precautions violated.
4. A cheap technique was purchased that does not meet safety standards.

Long infrared waves are absorbed by the upper layers of human skin. Short waves are calm to penetrate much deeper - up to several centimeters under the skin. For example, if you sleep under a high-power IR emitter, the following consequences are possible:

1. Harmful photochemical effect on body cells. Strong short-wave infrared radiation, penetrating the skin, heats the cell membranes. Protein molecules change, the functioning of individual cells is disrupted.
2. With prolonged exposure, the skin dries up, begins to peel off. Regular exposure to radiation can result in extensive burns.
3. Short infrared waves are harmful to the retina. Systematic irradiation destroys the structure of the lens and retina and leads to cataracts.

All these problems can be avoided by not purchasing untested cheap products from unknown or dubious manufacturers. You also need to seriously consider the location of the heater in the apartment and its power.

Prevention of harmful effects

All possible harm from infrared heating devices can be prevented if no mistakes are made during selection and installation. Following a few simple rules will ensure that there will be no problems in the future:

1. The heater must not be directed at people. It is advisable to place it either in the corner of the room, or as high as possible. In this case, the room will fully warm up, but there will be no negative impact on people.
2. You should not purchase too powerful models designed for a knowingly larger area than there is. The power of the heater should be sufficient to warm up the walls and floor, already from them the heat will be transferred into the air.
3. Do not install IR heaters in bedrooms and children's rooms, as well as in places where people regularly gather. If such an installation is necessary, the heater should be directed to the side.
4. It is important to pay attention to the materials of manufacture. Models made with plastics and cheap materials will emit toxic substances when heated.

Correct selection of infrared heaters allows you to use them not only as additional, but also as the main heating.