Infrared heaters: pros and cons, prices for appliances
Infrared heaters: pros and cons, prices for appliances
The range of IR heaters is wide and diverse. They can be used both indoors and outdoors. The article will cover in detail the issue of choosing infrared heaters, as well as their scope of application, characteristics and other nuances. Before you purchase equipment, you should analyze infrared heaters: pros and cons, prices for models. Studying the main parameters will help you choose the optimal model.
The use of infrared heating devices is profitable and effective
The use of infrared heaters for space heating
Infrared heaters for rooms are relatively new equipment used as primary and additional heating. Their popularity is promoted by a set of advantages, the main among which is cost-effectiveness and ease of use. Installation and operation of these devices does not require the involvement of qualified personnel. They also do not need periodic repairs and have a long service life.
IR heaters for the home are durable in use and versatile
The basis of infrared heat transfer is the heating of nearby surfaces and objects. Thanks to this, all the energy spent on heating is converted into heat without loss, which cannot be said about devices that heat the surrounding air. Using such heaters, you don’t have to worry that this will lead to an uneven distribution of warm air in the room and changes in humidity levels.
The ability of such devices to carry out spot heating is widely used in manufacturing enterprises with impressive areas of premises. Using infrared heaters for heating the workshop, it is possible to achieve an increase in energy saving by 45%. So, it is possible to use local heating of workplaces located at a considerable distance from each other, without resorting to heating the entire room.
Using IR heaters in everyday life, it is possible to create zones with different temperature regimes in the house. Many types of heaters have an interesting design and can be used as a decoration. Equipping with remote controls makes their regulation as comfortable as possible. The functions of the Polaris PKSH 0408RC floor infrared electric heater include the rotation of the device, which is very convenient. The heater is designed to heat a room of 20 m2, does not burn oxygen, has a built-in timer.
Some heaters have a modern design and fit perfectly into the environment
Useful advice! Models of film wall-mounted IR heaters can be used as a decorative panel that complements the interior.
Recently, many motorists have been using infrared heaters to heat the garage. By installing the device over the hood, it will be easy to start the car even in severe frosts. Wall-mounted models of Peony infrared heaters are popular for installation in the garage. You will be warm during the self-maintenance of the car in the autumn-winter period.
Infrared heaters for industrial premises and agricultural facilities
Taking into account the rapid increase in energy prices and the limitation of their use, the use of infrared heat sources for industrial and agricultural complexes is becoming almost the only alternative to heating, especially when it comes to high and dimensional workshops, boxes, greenhouses, garages and pavilions. The operation of heaters is not accompanied by noise or vibration and does not have a negative impact on the condition of people in the workplace.
Infrared heaters are very popular for heating industrial premises
Application of infrared heaters for industrial premises
It should be noted that infrared heaters have a high heating rate, unlike traditional heating equipment. Heating occurs immediately after the heaters are switched on to the electrical network. This feature allows you to turn off or reduce the intensity of the operation of devices at night or at lunchtime in production, which also contributes to their energy efficiency.
Functioning locally, heaters create the feeling that the temperature in the room is several degrees higher than in reality. Given this fact, you can set a lower temperature, but at which a person will feel comfortable. This will contribute to even greater energy savings, as reducing the temperature by 1° reduces electricity consumption by 5-6%.
Using infrared heaters for heating industrial premises, the management of enterprises reduces the costs of installing boiler rooms, additional ventilation systems. After all, there are no moving elements in the device of heaters, they do not contribute to the accumulation and circulation of dust or other air pollution. Wall and ceiling mounting methods can significantly save the useful area of the premises.
The more powerful the heater, the larger the area can be warmed up in less time and without loss
The heaters of the IcoLine company “TST” have proven themselves well. The ICO 20M model is one of the most powerful heaters that can be installed on a ceiling with a height of more than 3.5 m, the heating area as the main source is 30 m2. The heater ICO 30 is ideal when used in high rooms with minimal power, the model is optimal in terms of price and quality.
Due to the high power and efficiency, the use of infrared gas heaters for industrial premises is very popular. Such equipment is equipped with gas pressure monitoring devices, some models do not require an electrical connection to run. Patriot Power’s GT 7IN heater is silent in operation, easy to operate and can be used as the main heat source in large buildings where there is no central heating.
For outdoor public places (playgrounds, cafes, terraces), space heating with outdoor electric infrared heaters is suitable. These devices are practical, economical and capable of heating the territory within a radius of 3-4 m. The 1.5 kW Heliosa 999 outdoor heater can heat up to 15 m2 of open space. The device is designed for wall mounting and has a turn of 0.5 m shoulder-holders.
Outdoor electric heaters are used on outdoor terraces, playgrounds and cafes
Heating of greenhouses with infrared heaters
The main advantage of infrared heaters for greenhouses and other agricultural facilities is that the heat is directed from the bottom up, heating the soil and plants directly. The analysis of the use of such equipment in greenhouses proved an increase in germination of sprouts by 35%, due to the effect of heat on the soil. Many people use a film-type infrared heater laid under the ground to heat a polycarbonate greenhouse.
The use of infrared heaters for heating greenhouses is characterized by a number of advantages:
- reduction of heating costs due to low energy consumption;
- radiation safety for plants and greenhouse maintenance personnel;
- there is no need for special humidification of the greenhouse, since the humidity level does not change during the operation of IR heaters;
- quiet operation, which is important for people working in greenhouses;
- high heating speed;
- the possibility to create zones with different temperature regimes in one complex, as required by different types of crops;
- accessibility and ease of installation allows you to mount heaters without the involvement of qualified specialists, saving on installation services and arrangement of expensive heating systems;
- high fire safety;
- saving useful space thanks to wall and ceiling mounting.
Infrared lamps for heating greenhouses in winter
Useful advice! Choosing which heaters are better convectors or infrared, it is worth considering that the latter consume less electricity by 45-65%.
Using infrared heaters for heating polycarbonate greenhouses, it is possible to create conditions inside that are most suitable for natural ones, since such heating is akin to solar radiation. In winter, it is recommended to direct radiation to the walls of greenhouses, which will contribute to an acceptable temperature for plants in this zone.
Infrared heaters for chicken coops: which model to choose
There are several ways to heat a chicken coop: gas, stove and electric. The purchase of a gas boiler will justify itself only for large farm poultry houses. Stove heating presupposes the presence of fuel (firewood, coal) and constant monitoring. An acceptable option is heating with electric heaters, but it should be remembered that this is a fairly expensive type of heating equipment.
Choosing which heaters are better convector or infrared for a poultry house, it is necessary to take into account the energy efficiency of the devices. Infrared heat sources contribute to the conversion of electricity into heat with almost no losses. In addition, the heat from infrared radiation will accumulate directly in the bird area, and not rise to the ceiling, as when using a convector.
The infrared lamp for the chicken coop maintains an optimal temperature in winter
The safety of using IR heaters in the poultry house also plays an important role: due to the fact that the devices are attached to the ceiling, the risk of equipment contact with birds is eliminated. For small private chicken coops, the Russian-made Bilux B800 AIR series heater is quite suitable. The 0.7 kW device is enough to heat 8-14 m2 with an energy consumption of 0.2 kW.
When installing an infrared heater in a chicken coop, it is necessary to equip it with a thermostat. Thanks to this device, it will be possible to set the heating temperature required for keeping birds in winter. Once you set the temperature level, you won’t have to worry about the microclimate: as soon as the temperature drops below the set level, the heater will turn on automatically.
Which is better: convectors or infrared heaters
Comparing infrared and convector heaters, it should be noted the main advantages and disadvantages of each type. The advantage of convectors is the heating of the entire room, but this principle can also be attributed to the disadvantage of such a heater. After all, there is always a risk of loss of warm flows through loosely closed doors and windows and, as a result, the room will remain insufficiently warmed up.
The principle of operation of IR heaters and convectors in comparison
In this sense, convector heaters are suitable for heating a small, maximally sealed room. After turning on the device, the room warms up quickly, and due to the low surface temperature of the device, oxygen from the air is not burned. In addition, accidental touching of the device is safe for humans, which allows its use in children’s rooms.
Unlike convector heating, infrared heating acts locally, spending energy only on heating a specific place. Due to this, all the energy consumed will be converted into heat, which contributes to rational energy consumption. This feature is successfully used by enterprises with large premises when it is necessary to create comfortable working areas. Point heat is directed only to a certain place without heating the entire room, which is economically justified.
Another advantage of infrared models over convector models is the localization of heat in the desired location. The radiant energy of IR devices acts directly on the required area, while when using convectors, there is a possibility of accumulation of warm air masses under the ceiling. The space in which a person is located remains little warmed up.
The principle of operation of the infrared heater
Comparing these two types of heaters, I would like to note the small weight and compact dimensions of ceiling-wall household electric infrared heaters, their simple and affordable installation for everyone. Thanks to the modern design in various colors, the devices harmoniously fit into any interior, without taking up extra space and remaining almost invisible.
Heating area of the infrared heater
To find out which infrared heaters to choose for production shop or home use, it is necessary to take into account the power of the device, the installation method (wall or ceiling), the height of the room and the heating area of one device. The higher the power indicator of the heater, the larger the area it will be able to provide heat. This parameter is specified in the accompanying documentation for the device.
Another important parameter in the calculation of the heated area is the height of the infrared heater installation. More powerful heaters are installed higher, since overheating will be observed at low installation. If the room area is large and the ceilings are low, it is better to purchase several low-power models. The table below shows which area is heated by infrared heaters, depending on the method and height of installation.
| Installation height of the device, m | Wall heater | Ceiling heater |
| The area heated by the device, m2 | ||
| 2,5 | 8 | 17 |
| 3 | 20 | 24 |
| 3,5 | 40 | 32 |
Useful advice! To determine the power of the heating device, you can use a simplified calculation recommended by specialists. It consists in the fact that 1 kW of heater power is enough for heating a room with an area of 10 m2.
In the technical documentation for ceiling infrared heat sources, manufacturers indicate the minimum height at which a device of a particular power can be located. So, heaters with a capacity of 1.2 kW can be installed at a height of at least 2.4 m, devices with a capacity of 2.4 kW can be mounted at least 3 m, for more powerful devices of 5.7 kW, the suspension height is from 6.5 m.
The best infrared ceiling mount heaters, given their demand in the heating products market, are considered to be the Russian-made Peony and Almak models.
Characteristics of Almak infrared heaters
The line of Almak infrared heaters includes models with a capacity of 5, 8, 10, 13, 15 kW, designed for heating, respectively, 5, 8, 11, 13, 16 m2 of area. It should be noted that Almak heaters have an interesting modern design, their thickness is only 3 cm. The devices are available in several colors: white, beige, gold, silver, wenge.
Almak infrared heating panels are distinguished by their power
Almak heaters can be used to heat office and industrial premises, they fit perfectly into any interior of an apartment or house. Thanks to convenient fasteners that can move along the body, the device can be quickly and accurately installed without additional help. In the product catalogs, you can choose a device of suitable power depending on the area of the room.
Almak heaters can be equipped with a thermostat that will maintain a preset temperature regime in the room. The most powerful heater IK-16 can be used as the main heating in winter, if the room area does not exceed 16 m2. In rooms up to 32 m2, such a device can serve as an additional heat source.
Useful advice! When buying Almak heaters, keep in mind that the thermostat and the electrical cable for connection are not included in the factory configuration.
The table shows the estimated capacity for facilities with different operating modes when using the Almak IK-16 model.
| Type of room | Approximate capacity per 1 m2 of area, W |
| Private well insulated house | 70 |
| Country house insulated | 100 |
| Outbuildings without insulation | 120 |
| Loggia, balcony without insulation | 120 |
| Greenhouse with polycarbonate walls (8 mm) without insulation | 130-150 |
| A barn, a winter chicken coop with weak insulation, where a plus temperature of no more than 10-12 degrees is enough | 100 |
Infrared heaters: pros and cons, prices for appliances
Before buying, every consumer wants to know which infrared heater is better? To choose the right model, you should not only focus on its design, but also analyze the functionality of infrared heaters: pros and cons, prices for devices, main characteristics, customer reviews. This will guarantee the correct operation of devices purchased for any tasks.
Pros and cons of infrared heaters. Product Reviews
The advantages of infrared heat sources include high efficiency and practicality of devices, silent operation, fire safety, durability. The main advantage of IR heaters when used in industrial premises is the exclusion of the danger of defrosting the system, as with water heating, as well as the absence of the need for expensive boiler rooms and additional ventilation systems. Ceiling and wall mounting allows you to save a significant area.
Heat guns are often used to heat large storage facilities. Analyzing what is better than a heat gun or an infrared heater, preference should be given to the latter option. Due to the fact that there are no moving elements, filters and lubricants in the device, the infrared heater works silently, does not raise dust and does not fail. Judging by the reviews of those who used heat guns, you need to be prepared for the fact that after it is turned off, the room instantly cools down, and long-term operation is associated with a large consumption of electricity.
The IR heater works not only efficiently but also helps to save up to 40% of electricity
You can find many positive reviews in favor of infrared heaters in comparison with oil heaters. Buyers note that when working with IR devices, the humidity in the room does not change, while a peculiar smell is felt from the work of oil devices and they warm only in the 40-50 cm zone. Which oil or infrared heater is better for you, decide based on the technical characteristics and user reviews.
The disadvantages of infrared sources include some discomfort with the proximity of heaters, the complexity of repairs in case of breakage and the high cost of some ceramic models. When choosing which infrared or ceramic heater is better, keep in mind that the latter can work in rooms with high humidity. An overview of the pros and cons of infrared heaters will help you choose the optimal model of the device.
Prices of IR heaters for home
It is most convenient to get acquainted with the models of devices, order and purchase infrared radiation sources in online stores and on the websites of manufacturing companies. In the product catalogs you can find the best models of infrared heaters. The heaters presented on the websites are accompanied by a description of the technical parameters, recommendations for their use and prices for the devices.
Some models of infrared heaters, in addition to functionality, have a stylish modern design
By contacting the managers of companies selling IR heaters, you can get qualified advice on choosing the power of the device, the method of installation, as well as the possibility of using one or another model of infrared heater for a wet room or for heating an open area. Many manufacturers post informational or instructional videos describing the main characteristics of the devices and examples of their installation.
Useful advice! Having decided to purchase an infrared heater, give preference to proven manufacturers.
You can also buy industrial infrared heaters here. Competent specialists will help you calculate the number and power of devices required for a particular room, taking into account its height and area. Approximate prices for popular models of household and industrial IR heaters of different brands are given in the table.
| Manufacturer, model | Description | Price, rub. |
| Almak. IK-11 | The ceiling device with a power of 1000 watts is presented in an exquisite design with rounded edges, capable of heating a room with an area of up to 20 m2. Suitable for heating offices, apartments, cottages, as well as for industrial premises. | 3480 |
| Neoclima, NC-IRHLS-2.0 | An excellent model of a floor infrared heater for the house with the possibility of mounting on the wall. Power 2000 watts. Equipped with a thermostat, overheating protection, telescopic stand. The heating area is 20 m2. | 2450 |
| Polaris, PCSH 0408RC | The device has an elegant swivel housing, is equipped with electronic control (touch panel / remote control), protection against overturning and overheating, and a thermostat. Supports two heating modes. The power is 800 watts. | 3350 |
| Timberk, TIR HP 1 1800 | The wall model from a leading manufacturer is equipped with a timer, overheating protection. | 4790 |
| Ballu, BIH-AP-0.8 | Economical device designed for heating up to 8 m2, power 800 watts. Laconic design, it is possible to connect a thermostat. | 2490 |
| Peony, ceramic 06 | The ceiling heater is light in weight, with a power of 600 watts. Ideal for small rooms: bathrooms, hallways, dressing rooms. Equipped with a backlit switch. | 4090 |
| Noirot, Royat 2 1800 | The 1800 W model has a moisture-proof housing, effectively heats up to 18 m2 of area. Supports three heating modes. It can be used in outdoor areas. | 7100 |
| Zilon IR-0.8. S | A small ceiling heater with a capacity of 800 watts. The heating area is up to 8 m2. Overheating protection. Can be mounted on the wall. Suitable as an additional heating in the apartment. | 1950 |
| Mister Heat, Thermal C-0,1 | Model with a power of 100 watts, designed for local heating of 1 m2 of area. It can be installed on the inner surface of the desktop. Equipped with a thermostat and overheating protection. | 1350 |
The market of climate equipment offers a large selection of modern infrared heaters. By choosing a model that suits your room and its operating mode, you will provide warmth and comfort in the cold season.
