Potential Cons of Infrared Heating One of the biggest concerns is that this type of
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.
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). IR-B radiation can damage the blood vessels down to the fatty tissue.
Most residential infrared panels are designed to be safe for extended periods. These heating units often come with built-in safety mechanisms, such as: Overheating protection: This feature automatically switches off the heater when it reaches a certain temperature to prevent any fire risk.
Results: Detrimental effects such as thermal burns, photocarcinogenesis, and photoaging have been reported, though evidence suggests that these may be due to the thermal effects produced secondary to IR exposure rather than the isolated effect of IR.
But don't worry, infrared heaters are incredibly efficient. They're designed to keep a space warm while using as little electricity as possible.
Yes, infrared heating systems are very efficient. Some of the best infrared panels have an efficiency rating of 112-115%, as opposed to just 100%. Another thing that makes infrared more efficient than some other heating methods is the fact that users can 'zone' their heating.
As a rule of thumb it will require about 10 watts for every square foot. So the 1500 watt will usually heat up to 150 square feet. Heating question - trying to understand what size heater to ... I am trying to understand in layman terms what this actually ...
Lifespan of infrared panels vs traditional heating
When considering heating options, longevity is a crucial factor. Infrared panels are known for their durability and should last around 20 years, but depending on the quality of the panel, this could be anywhere from 10 to 30 years.
That means it has the potential to burn, and exposure to near infrared has been found to burn the retinas of the eyes. Far-infrared, by contrast, is completely safe. It's known as the 'light of life' – we said earlier that 49% of the light from the sun is infrared.
No combustion or open flames: Unlike many heating systems, infrared heaters don't burn fuel in the open air. This means they don't produce carbon monoxide or other harmful gases as a by-product.
High up on the wall or ceiling are the best locations for infrared panels. Wall placement allows you more freedom to direct heat exactly where you need it – particularly useful if you're dealing with a larger space. Ceiling placement provides an unhindered spread of warmth and also keeps wall spaces free.
Panel heaters are an excellent choice because they work automatically, warm up fast and will control their output to balance the remaining heat of the storage heaters. They are also more efficient than other portable top up heaters, such as fan heaters, so will use a reduced amount of higher rate daytime electricity.
The main difference between infrared heating and space heating is that space heaters heat the air within a space, whereas infrared heaters heat objects, surfaces and people directly rather than the air.
Infrared heater energy consumption is much less than other forms of heating systems due to their direct method of transferring heat, as outlined earlier. As a result, you can expect your energy bills to be significantly lower over traditional electric or gas heaters.
Excessive exposure can result in damage or even burns. In general, thermal burden can lead to disturbances in the heat balance of the entire organism. The eyes are particularly sensitive to thermal effects. Suitable protective goggles can protect the eyes against excessive exposure to infrared radiation.
Thermal or heat injuries can happen, depending on the wavelength of the infrared light. Thermal injury can occur even without pain. Also, pregnant women, people with heart diseases, and those who are sick should never undergo infrared therapy.
Because infrared panels use radiation to generate heat, this can often lead to questions over safety and potential health risks. There are two types of infrared: near and far. The heat from near infrared can be intense and penetrating, which means it can be unsafe. Near-infrared is not used for heating.
Used in conjunction with your current heating system, stand-alone infrared heaters can reduce your home heating bills by as much as 50 percent because you can turn down the thermostat for the whole house, then supplement as needed with infrared.
Potential health issues
Indeed, if you sit too close to an infrared heater, you can experience blotchy skin, so there is damage occurring at a cellular level. Also, if you overheat, you sweat. While this isn't an issue with convector heaters that gently heat and circulate the air, it is a problem with infrared heat.