Which is better, an infrared or fan heater?

Author: Jeffery Davis  |  Last update: Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Infrared heaters are the most energy-efficient. They directly heat objects and people, minimising energy wastage, unlike fan heaters that heat the air or OFRs that require longer heating times.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ceramic Heater vs Infrared Heater - Which is BETTER for YOU?

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.

Can you leave the fan heater on overnight?

Running heaters overnight or unattended.

Our advice to not run heaters overnight or unattended is the safest policy to adopt.

Is infrared better than traditional electric heater?

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.

Are portable infrared heaters any good?

"An infrared heater wouldn't be the best choice to heat up a large room," says Micetich, "but they're great for spaces like a small kitchen or bedroom, office, or breakfast nook." That said, you may also find when reading reviews that some models do a good job making a large room feel cozier, despite the manufacturer's ...

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.

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.

What is the main risk infrared?

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.

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.

Do infrared heaters heat the whole room?

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.

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 ...

How many years do infrared heaters last?

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.

Are infrared heaters cheaper to run than fan heaters?

Radiant-based heater types seen in the above examples (Bar fire, storage and Herschel Infrared panel) are always cheaper to run than any unit using convection as their heat transfer method – so long as proper controls are also used.

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