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.
A free space of at least 40 cm in front of the heater is recommended. Consider windows and doors: Place the infrared heater close to windows or external doors to compensate for heat loss and ensure efficient heating. This will help minimize cold drafts and make the room more comfortable.
Finally, placing the panel on the ceiling means that space is not taken up on the walls. The panels also get as hot as radiators; so having them on the ceiling makes sure that they aren't touched. For the Pulsar Infrared heaters, they are ideal for ceilings of around 3m.
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.
On a carpet, rug or flammable surface
Space heaters can't sit on any surface that can easily scorch or catch on fire. That means you can never place one on a carpet or rug. You should also avoid using them on more delicate hardwoods or meltable vinyl, especially for long periods.
The heater should be placed in such a way as to emit heat directly at you, for example, in front of your chair, rather than behind the furniture. If you improperly install the infrared heater, the heat will be absorbed with the furniture without reaching the person.
But don't worry, infrared heaters are incredibly efficient. They're designed to keep a space warm while using as little electricity as possible.
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.
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.
Near IR can be harmful to the eyes because it penetrates as far as the cornea (Voke, 1999). Uncontrolled, frequent, or long-term exposure to Near Infrared can also cause thermal burns and ageing effects such as “Bakers Arms” or “Glassblowers Face” (Cho & others, 2009).
The most effective place for you to mount your panels is usually higher up on the walls or on the ceiling. The heaters will be less effective if they are mounted directly opposite a window or door as there will be no thermal mass to absorb the energy.
The CPSC calls it the “3-foot rule,” and it's pretty simple: Avoid placing a space heater within 3 feet of anything flammable. Some manuals list curtains, papers, furniture, pillows, and bedding as objects to stay away from.
So the 1500 watt will usually heat up to 150 square feet.
Infrared heaters, being nearly 100% efficient and having no moving parts, direct all of the consumed power to generate heat. Ceramic heaters, in contrast, need power for both the heating element and the fan, and only provide heat indirectly, increasing energy consumption and potentially raising electricity bills.
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.
As objects in the room absorb infrared heat and emit it back out into the room via convection, the air will gradually warm. A room that's low on insulation and high on draughts though will allow more heat to escape which will quickly cool down any air-warming benefits. However, in the right room it can work nicely.
It may sound good, but you might remain concerned about the safety issues of these electrical appliances. 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.
With the same efficiency, an infrared heater consumes 30% less energy than a convection radiator. The choice is yours, let your apartment, office or country house will always be comfortable and warm!
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.
The protein of eye lens is very sensitive to IR radiation which is hazardous and may lead to cataract.
Say you have the 700w Ecostrad Accent iQ wall panel and you want to run it for 6 hours a day. Using a DIY calculation, you can work out the approximate running cost for a day's use, taking into account that it might only need to use a third of its full wattage: 0.7kW x 6 hours = 4.2kWh. 4.2kWh x 34p = £1.43.
In terms of electricity, infrared heaters actually use less energy than other space heaters; the cost depends on the wattage and hours used per day. For example, a 1,500-watt infrared heater used 10 hours a day can cost around $60 a month (based on 13 cents per kilowatt hour).
Infrared panels are suitable for all-day heating.
The gradual build-up of heat ensures a comfortable environment, allowing them to be left on for extended periods without making a room feel stuffy.