Modern infrared heaters have a completely different work principle compared to conventional convectors , so the controversy surrounding the effectiveness of the use of these devices in everyday life does not cease. Understand this issue will help review the range of thermal radiators present in our market.
The principle of the infrared heater
The main thing that manufacturers try to achieve from any heating device is to raise its efficiency as close as possible to 100%. The main drawback of conventional devices is the use of air as an intermediate link in the transfer of heat from the ten to the surrounding objects. The principle of the infrared heater resembles the natural heating of the planet Earth by the rays of the Sun. The radiant energy released by the artificial source comes directly to the object, it gradually heats up and gives heat to the room.
Infrared heaters - pros and cons
Many observers frighten users with terrible stories, which describe the harm of the infrared heater and its inefficiency. Experience shows that much in this matter depends on the quality of the devices, correct calculations of the required power of the IR devices, the connection scheme used. The real harm can be brought only by short-wave high-temperature infrared heaters designed for production areas with high ceilings, therefore, in their home environment, they are not recommended.
What are good infrared heaters:
- compact size and light weight;
- rapid heating of the living area;
- significant energy savings;
- installation and delivery of devices is without problems;
- the possibility of connecting automatic temperature controllers;
- IR heaters do not burn oxygen and do not emit foreign smells;
- quality infrared heaters are almost noiseless;
- this type of devices can be attached to ceilings and walls from any material;
- In the infra-red heater, the direction and width of the published heat wave stream can be adjusted;
- for heating the living space in the rooms it is not necessary to create forced circulation of air masses with the help of a fan.
Some disadvantages of infrared heaters:
- To qualitatively heat a large room, you need to buy several IR devices.
- Most modern infrared heaters do not fit well into the classic interior and design in ethno style.
- In the market there are many devices of questionable production of poor quality with insufficient capacity, which quickly fail and can not normally heat the required room.
Types of infrared heaters
IR instruments are divided into types according to the installation method, type of heating module, dimensions and other characteristics. An important role is played by the wavelength that emanates from the apparatus into the room. From this indicator depends the temperature of the element and the influence of the radiator on human health. First, you need to understand where low-temperature and high-temperature devices are used:
- Short-wave (high-temperature) emitters emit waves up to 2.5 microns in length. When on, they emit yellow-red light, and the temperature of the heater in these devices reaches 1000 ° C. It is recommended to fix short-wave infrared heaters exclusively in the factory premises at a height of 8 m from the floor.
- Medium-wave IR heaters - the length of emitted thermal waves of 2.5 μm - 5.6 μm, so the temperature of the plates is much lower (up to 600 ° C). Devices after switching on quickly enter the working state and are excellent for local heating of premises. The recommended ceiling height is from 3 m to 6 m.
- Long-wave (low-temperature) IR devices - the temperature of the plates does not exceed 300 ° C, and the wavelength is within 50 μm - 2000 μm. These are the best infrared heaters for the home, they are optimally suited for residential premises with ceilings up to 3 m.
Ceiling Infrared Heater
Infrared heaters on the ceiling are attached, both to save space, and for purely technical reasons. Heated air tends to instantly fly up, and electromagnetic waves can propagate in any direction, so IR devices are suitable for installation on the ceiling better than any standard device. They are able to quickly create heat and comfort in the lower part of the room, and the heat emitted from the objects, slowly rising upwards, gradually warms up the whole room.
Outdoor Infrared Heater
In cases where it is not possible to fully provide heat to the entire room, people benefit from mobile IR devices. Portable infrared heaters for the home are light and convenient to transport, they are equipped with handles and wheels, emergency stop switches in case of tipping over, remote consoles. The outdoor device will help warm the driver in a cold garage, a vegetable grower in a warehouse or in an unheated dacha, in any other place where it is necessary to quickly create comfortable conditions in a small confined space.
Wall mounted infrared heater
This type of device is fully capable of replacing radiators with water heating or standard electric convectors. Wall-mounted appliances have a greater weight compared to portable IR heaters, they are more powerful, equipped with electronic thermostats. They can be installed in those places where water batteries are habitually located - under a windowsill, in a niche, next to a bed or a sofa. You can easily pick up infrared heaters on a wall of beautiful design, decorated with relief images, decorative panels for stone or wood.
Infrared film heater
Universal qualities have a flexible carbon IR film, which is easy to attach to almost any flat or curved surface in the house. In addition to direct heating of the room, users adapt the infrared heater to the wall-mounted film heater for drying vegetables or fruits to maintain a stable soil temperature in the greenhouses. Expensive models are decorated with original designs, turning them into decorative canvases. Having attached such a picture behind your back, you can comfortably work at a table in a cool room during the cold period.
Infrared carbon heater
The emitter of waves in this device is made in the form of carbon fibers, which replace the tungsten spiral, enclosed in quartz vacuum tubes. Heating with infrared heaters of this type occurs with the help of long-wave radiation, safe for humans. The objects are heated to a depth of 2 cm, and the efficiency of the carbon IR devices is 3 times higher than that of oil batteries. Many vertical carbon instruments rotate around the axis, which allows evenly to fill the entire room with heat.
Gas infrared heater
In this type of IR devices, thermal energy is transformed into electromagnetic radiation. There are "light" devices with a plate temperature of 800 ° C, creating high-density heat fluxes, and "dark" radiators in which the temperature does not exceed 450 ° C. The first type of device is used mainly for large production areas. Heating infra-red heaters of a "dark" kind at home is preferable, they are safer, have better regulation of combustion of gas and a system of flue gas discharge.
Quartz Infrared Heater
Considering all available types of infrared heaters, you can not miss quartz devices. The heating element in this device is made in the form of plates made of a composition in which the main element is quartz sand. Advantages of quartz infrared emitters are noticeable, they are safe, cool for a long time, heating elements do not contact with oxygen and are durable.
Infrared heaters - characteristics
In the passport data there is a lot of interesting information, but many people do not read it, trusting sellers and advertising booklets. Even a device from a well-known manufacturer, picked up in a hurry wrong, will not be able to provide your home with warmth. For the heater of infrared electric there is a long list of characteristics, which must be read before buying.
Main characteristics of infrared heaters:
- power;
- type of heater;
- wavelength;
- mains voltage;
- protection of the heater from moisture;
- method of attachment;
- fire safety;
- presence of safety sensors and thermostat;
- dimensions;
- design;
- the cost.
Infrared Heater Power
Thinking about which infrared heater to choose, always consider the power of the device. To manufacture, buy devices from 3 kW, and for home use fit IR devices from 0.3 kW to 2 kW. If it is required to heat the living quarters in the cold period entirely, then in the calculations it is taken 1 kW of power per 10 m 2 of living space. For local heating, a small device with any type of attachment, directed directly to the workplace, is suitable.
How to connect an infrared heater?
Installation of IR devices does not require special knowledge, any person who knows how to handle electrical appliances and household building tools can cope with this task. To connect the infrared heater of the room, you need to buy the required length of copper three-core cable with a cross-section of 2.5 mm 2 , a demountable plug, wall or ceiling mount, if it is not provided in the kit.
How to connect an infrared heater:
- We calculate the optimal location for the device.
- We drill holes for fasteners.
- Drive in the dowels and screw the brackets.
- The system of holders can be different, often the heaters are fixed to the ceiling with a simple chain.
- We lay wiring in cable ducts or inside walls.
- We connect the plug contacts to the terminals of the thermostat, precisely observing the marks and the colored marking of the wires.
- Power is supplied to the terminals of the regulator, and from it we start the voltage to the heating device.
- Check the work of the infrared heater.