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While you may be familiar with the convection space heaters used for decades, for more direct heat, infrared heaters are the better portable heating option. We discussed infrared technology with HVAC expert Justin Bohannon of
<p>Choosing the best infrared space heater to supplement a primary heating system depends on the space it will heat, as well as budget, portability, safety features, and mounting. We liked the
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Duraflame 3D Infrared Quartz electric infrared heater up to the max setting to see how quickly they’d heat up, and we played with the thermostats to ensure they were working properly. From there, we compared the design and build quality between each model. What to Consider When Choosing an Infrared Heater
Infrared rays are uniquely capable of cutting through empty space and bringing warmth to the objects they strike; in fact, that’s how the sun heats the earth. Today’s infrared heaters bring warmth to objects, like clothes and skin rather than the surrounding air—an efficient mechanism in stark contrast to convection heaters, which warm the surrounding air before heating objects in that space.
Although heating the air may distribute heat more uniformly throughout a room, much energy is wasted heating unoccupied space, such as high ceilings or the outdoor air. Infrared heaters use 100 percent of the heat they produce to bring focused warmth to the objects in the path of its rays, making them much more energy efficient. An infrared heater’s energy efficiency, space coverage, and other features will vary depending on certain factors. Shoppers may want to keep the following considerations in mind while on the hunt for the best infrared heater for their homes.
When determining the right size of an infrared heater to buy, think about the square footage of the space you want to warm. Generally, infrared heaters are relatively small and portable. More powerful units for bigger areas are available, but they’re typically larger. Also, consider how much floor space an infrared heater will take up; this will vary depending on whether the unit sits vertically (in the case of a tower heater) or horizontally (like most standard heaters).
Power
The size of the space you want to warm will also influence how powerful your heater should be. The amount of heat generated by these devices, measured in BTUs, influences the size of the space they can heat.
The BTU output of an infrared heater generally correlates with the number of watts the heater uses, which can range between 300 and 1,500 watts. (Most are capped at 1,500 watts because that’s the maximum amount a standard 110V household electrical outlet can handle.) With convection space heaters, 1 watt is equivalent to 3.412 BTUs, so it’s simple to determine the size of a space they can warm; it’s not so easy with infrared heaters.
Infrared heaters can use various heating elements, such as quartz (the most common and most efficient), ceramic, and carbon, to produce and emit infrared rays with varying levels of energy efficiency. Supplemental fans or blowers aren’t necessary, but they can provide both focused infrared heat and diffused heat through convection.
These factors impact how an infrared heater’s power rating will affect its heat output and space coverage. Just because an infrared heater boasts a higher power rating doesn’t mean it produces more heat and provides greater space coverage—much depends on the individual characteristics of the heater.
One way to calculate the general amount of power a heater should generate is to multiply the space’s square footage by 10. For example, a 100-square-foot room (10 feet by 10 feet) will need a 1,000-watt heater (100 x 10 = 1,000).
Intended Location
The location of an infrared heater warrants consideration due to its unique heating action. Whether it’s for outdoor use or a space heater for a basement, generally, it’s a good idea to place an infrared heater directly in front of what you want to warm. But, to be on the safe side, we consulted HVAC expert Bohannon to see where infrared heaters should be placed, and he recommends that “infrared heaters should not be placed near flammable materials such as curtains, furniture, or paper,” he says. He adds to always maintain adequate clearance around the heater to avoid any fire hazards. “It’s also important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines regarding safe distances from walls and other objects,” Bohannon says.
The fact that they operate by emitting heat waves directly to objects (as opposed to the surrounding air) also makes them well suited to outdoor spaces, such as patios, since the heat won’t dissipate in the surrounding air. Similarly, infrared heaters are a good option for rooms with large ceilings since users needn’t worry about heated air rising and wasting away in the ceiling space.
Design
An infrared heater needn’t be an eyesore, as there are various designs to complement <a >
