The truth is
Infrared radiation is popularly known as "heat radiation", but light and electromagnetic waves of any frequency will heat surfaces that absorb them. Infrared light from the Sun accounts for 49% of the heating of Earth, with the rest being caused by visible light that is absorbed then re-radiated at longer wavelengths.
Potential Cons of Infrared Heating
One of the biggest concerns is that this type of heating may not provide enough warmth for homes with high ceilings. This means supplementary heat sources may be required to supplement the infrared heaters, making it less cost-effective than originally anticipated.
Radiant heating systems supply heat directly to the floor or to panels in the wall or ceiling of a house. The systems depend largely on radiant heat transfer -- the delivery of heat directly from the hot surface to the people and objects in the room via infrared radiation.
Infrared heaters are generally more environmentally friendly as they do not use combustion for heat generation, reducing carbon emissions. Radiant heaters, depending on their fuel source, may have a greater environmental impact—for example, if you use a combustion boiler to heat the water used in the system.
IR-A radiation with its excessive heat can cause irreversible damage (such as burns) to the retina and cloud the lens, which can lead to a cataract (also known as glassblower's cataract or infrared cataract).
Can infrared heat the entire home? Yes, it's a great idea to do so. Some customers are replacing their old central heating system with infrared to make their heating system more energy efficient.
Electric radiant heating can be expensive to operate, depending on local electricity rates. Hydronic systems are expensive to install. Radiant heat is difficult to retrofit and may require major renovations.
Do not use if pregnant, have serious inflammation, a fever, a communicable disease, acute bleeding, or intoxicated.
Following are the disadvantages of Infrared sensor: ➨Infrared frequencies are affected by hard objects (e.g. walls, doors) , smoke, dust, fog, sunlight etc. Hence it does not work through walls or doors. ➨Infrared waves at high power can damage eyes.
To give you the quick answer, the majority of good infrared heating panels are designed with safety and efficiency in mind, allowing them to be left on throughout the day without major safety issues or costing you a small fortune.
Far infrared energy has the longest wavelength of the infrared spectrum. This allows it to penetrate the body most deeply, affecting soft tissue and the cellular activity of those tissues. This is the type of infrared that is most associated with infrared saunas.
A convection heater performs best when providing heat over a longer time. It takes more time and energy for a convection heater to achieve a target temperature than a radiant heater. However, the heat is easy to maintain once it reaches the target. A radiant heater is better for more intermittent heating.
Surface temperature
An infrared panel heater should have a surface temperate of at least 80-90degrees so that it can be effective. If the surface temperature is only 40-50degrees, it's probably not a real infrared heater.
Lifespan of Radiant Heating Systems
Radiant heating systems use water or electricity to heat floors or walls and can last 15 to 25 years. Hydronic (water-based) systems have a longer lifespan than electric systems.
For homeowners who want the most efficient heating system available, heat pumps are the best candidate. They work by capturing heat and moving it from place to place, removing it from your home to provide cooling in summer, and bringing in heat from the outdoors for warming in winter.
The most serious complication of radiant warmers is extreme hyperthermia, which may occur from improper use or from dislodgement of the sensor probe. Hyperthermia may result in death or permanent neurological damage (T.
How Energy Efficient are Infrared Radiant Heaters? The ability to effectively heat the desired area by using infrared heaters also means more energy efficiency. This type of focused heating means less heat lost therefore more energy saving.
During testing, we were not only impressed by how realistic the heater was in replicating the appearance and ambiance of a real firebox but also by how well the heating worked. With 5,200 Btu, it can heat up to 1,000 square feet.
We understand why people look at infrared heating—it sounds energy efficient. But in reality, infrared heaters need to stay on longer to maintain warmth, and because they only heat what they directly touch, they often end up using more energy than expected.
The good news is that modern infrared heaters are very safe to use even when left unattended during the night, even while you are sleeping.
Infrared (IR) light can harm eyes and skin, leading to cataracts and skin damage. Prolonged IR exposure may induce cataracts due to its thermal effects. IR radiation can cause skin burns, aging, and DNA damage through tissue heating.