If you are looking for a cleaner, more energy efficient alternative to central heating, infrared heaters may be something that may interest you. It can be tricky deciding on which model or brand you should settle for so in this article, we’ll share the top 7 most popular and effective ones.
Table of Content
Difference Between Infrared Heaters and Other Heaters
Are infrared heaters energy efficient? Whilst the traditional convection heater is for many the go-to for a quick heat on a cold day, infrared heaters can be more efficient for warming small spaces. They work to evenly heat the space around them by means of infrared radiation. The common convection heater you are probably used to heats the air within a close proximity, then depends on convection currents to distribute the heat throughout the room. There are certainly distinct benefits to using the infrared heating method.
Speed of Heating
Since convection heaters depend on the gradual flow of warm air round your living space, they tend to take a bit of time to warm you up. Infrared heaters, on the other hand, will more directly heat your furniture and guests, providing a rapid change of temperature to the room. This characteristic makes infrared heaters particularly well suited to small, cozy spaces.
Energy Consumption
Heating via infrared radiation is markedly more efficient than other methods. In fact, you may be able to cut your energy bills in half by replacing your existing convection heaters. Infrared heaters are therefore more environmentally friendly than the alternatives, especially those which involve the burning of fossil fuels.
Domesticity
Infrared heaters are often very quiet while they are on, and so may be kept near to where you like to relax without disturbing you. They do not affect the humidity of their environment, and are known to produce an even distribution of heat in order to provide a moderate and comfortable temperature.
Types of Infrared Heaters You Can Choose From
There are a number of different types of infrared heaters – all designed for particular purposes. A few of the common categories are listed below.
Infrared Room Heater
Designed to do exactly as it says on the tin. These heaters are typically used to warm single rooms of up to 200 square feet. They are more environmentally friendly than central heating systems and generally more cost effective.
Infrared Radiant Heaters
These are good for keeping small areas warm, and are not effective for the average-sized room. They are a low energy solution for particularly cosy spaces.
High-Intensity Infrared Heaters
Heavyweight scale heaters – designed with large open spaces in mind.
Low-Intensity Infrared Heaters
Low-intensity heaters are far more commonplace than are high-intensity ones. They are to some extent akin to the radiant heaters in that they are designed with the purpose in mind of heating a small, specific area.
Infrared Heat Is Considered Healthy Heat
One remarkable characteristic which distinguishes infrared heating apart from its counterparts is that it is said to be “healthy heat”. What exactly is meant by this statement? I suppose one way of putting it is that infrared heating is considered to act as a more natural heat source. By this I mean that the inclusion of infrared heaters in your homestead will do very little to alter the surrounding atmosphere.
I have already addressed the fact above that infrared heaters do not affect the humidity of their environment – they do not “dry out” the air. Regular convection heaters can also have the effect of de-oxidising the room. This is because they tend to burn oxygen in the process of heating the air. Infrared heaters have no such effect.
Furthermore, infrared heaters warm your room much in the same way that the Sun warms the Earth, without the pesky difficulty of harmful UV rays. As a result, such a warmth as is produced by infrared heaters is closely related to the pleasurable irradiance of the Sun.
Infrared Heaters
Having discovered the myriad benefits of infrared heaters, I started looking at all the options available. Here are the top most popular ones!
Dr. Infrared Heater DR-838
Check Price Here
Small red ceramic space heater. It has multiple power settings (1500-watt, 1000-watt and fan only), an adjustable thermostat plus a big carrying handle. Easily portable heater for small spaces. Includes tip-over and overheat prevention
Why It’s So Popular:
– Small and light so easy to move
– Efficient: produces a lot of heat for a small heater
– Cheap
Keep In Mind:
– Shipping did take a little longer than usual
LifeSmart 6 Element Large Room Infrared Quartz Heater
Check Price Here
Larger heater of dimensions 13(W) by 16.25(D) by 17.5(H) inches, capable of heating a room up to 1,400 square feet in area. Wooden cabinet design. Comes with a remote control and washable lifetime filter.
Why It’s So Popular:
– Aesthetically pleasing
– Efficient and reliable
Keep In Mind:
– Distracting fan
– Can seem a little slow to heat
EdenPURE A5095 Gen2 Pure Infrared Heater
Check Price Here
This product has been designed to be both aesthetically and ergonomically pleasing. It has a compacted design intended to save space. Capable of heating a 1,000 square feet room, and comes with an electric thermostat.
Why It’s So Popular:
– Inconspicuous: designed to take up a small amount of space and blend in with your décor
– Very efficient and quickly heating
Keep In Mind:
– It is more ideal for a smaller room or space
– The heat is great but some people say the thermostat isn’t very effective
Dr Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater
Check Price Here
Again a 1500W heater with an electric thermostat. Capable of heating a large room – thermostat ranges between 50 and 86 degrees. Includes tip-over and overheat prevention.
Why It’s So Popular:
– Efficient and quiet
– Attached wheels make it easily portable
Keep In Mind:
– Large currents needed can be slightly dangerous
Conclusion
Infrared heating can provide an energy efficient, natural feeling and comfortable heat source for your home or workplace. If you have a gander at some of the many different options available to you, you will doubtless find something well suited to your needs which is well worth investing in.
