Which is better, an electric heater or an infrared heater?

Author: Dr. Theodore Fay PhD  |  Last update: Monday, July 21, 2025

Unlike electric heats whose lifespan is often shorter because moving parts wear out and dust accumulation reduces efficiency, infrared heaters have very few parts which are prone to failure. Even maritime climates are kept in mind with the Platinum Marine series.

What is the main disadvantage to infrared?

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.

Is infrared better than traditional electric heater?

Infrared heaters are more efficient than regular heaters as they heat objects and people directly, rather than heating the air. They provide heat more quickly and effectively because there is no need to wait for the air to heat up and then circulate.

What is the safest heater to leave on all night?

What is the safest heater to leave on overnight? While it's not recommended to leave any space heater on if you're not monitoring it, oil-filled, radiant space heaters are considered safer than ceramic convection (hot air) types, according to Roberson. Both of these options are safer than open-coil heaters.

Do infrared heaters use a lot of electricity?

But don't worry, infrared heaters are incredibly efficient. They're designed to keep a space warm while using as little electricity as possible.

Ceramic vs Infrared Heater [Which One’s Better & WHY]

Why is infrared heating not popular?

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.

Can I leave the infrared heater on all the time?

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.

Which is safer, an infrared or a ceramic heater?

Infrared heaters excel in safety due to their non-combustive heating method and advanced safety features, making them ideal for cautious users and sensitive environments. Ceramic heaters offer robust safety mechanisms, ensuring a high level of protection for household use, particularly in homes with children and pets.

Is it cheaper to turn up the heat or use a space heater?

Using a space heater can be a good way to boost the temperature in a small, drafty room—and it could be less expensive than cranking up your central heating system. But a space heater is economical only if you use it judiciously.

Is infrared better than electric?

Highly Efficient: Infrared heaters convert almost all the electricity they consume into heat, making them highly efficient. Targeted Heating: They heat objects and people directly, reducing energy wastage. This targeted approach means you only need to heat occupied areas, further enhancing efficiency.

What type of infrared is best?

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.

What are the negative of infrared?

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.

What is the difference between infrared heater and electric heater?

The biggest difference between the two sources of heat lies in energy consumption and how heat is emitted. While electric heaters use convection to warm the surrounding air which requires more energy input, infrared systems provide targeted radiant heat directly to objects and people.

Do infrared heaters get hot to the touch?

The precise surface temperature of panels can vary depending on the specific product, but it's safe to say they'll feel hot to touch. However, because IR panels have lower 'watt densities' than equivalent heaters, you won't burn yourself from quick touches and glances by.

How many square feet will an infrared heater heat?

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.

What is the safest type of room heater?

Sealed combustion heaters are much safer to operate than other types of space heaters, and operate more efficiently because they do not draw in the heated air from the room and exhaust it to the outdoors. They are also less likely to backdraft and adversely affect indoor air quality.

Is a quartz heater the same as an infrared heater?

Actually, they are both infrared heaters, except quartz heaters emit higher temperatures with resistance wire inside a quartz tube. A quartz heater can reach the temperature for which it is designed in less than a second; however, this time and temperature can be hard to control.

What are the side effects of infrared heating?

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).

What is the safest heater to leave unattended?

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.

Do infrared heaters raise your electric bill?

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.

What size room will a 1500 watt infrared heater heat?

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 ...

Can I leave infrared heater on all the time?

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.

Are infrared heaters cheaper to run than electric heaters?

Infrared heaters are very cost effective to run because their long-lasting heat allows them to keep spaces warm using less energy. This is, in fact, key to why their running costs are so low.

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