Infrared heaters - a replacement for radiators? Checking

Real heating experience with electric infrared heaters

Main gas is recognized as the most economical energy carrier, but not all settlements are covered by the gasification program, not only on paper, but also in reality. And the cost of connection is often "astronomical", which makes consumers look for more affordable heating options. One of the articles has already considered the demanded today heating with electric convectors, but infrared heating at home is also gaining in popularity. The craftsmen of the FORUMHOUSE portal have accumulated a decent experience in using such equipment.

Content:

• The principle of operation of IR heaters
• Device
• Varieties
• Real tests of infrared heaters in winter in Siberia
• Personal experience of heating with IR wall panels

Operating principle

Infrared heaters differ from convective heaters in the principle of operation - they do not heat the surrounding air mass, radiation heats objects in the area of ​​the unit's operation. And the already heated floor, walls and furnishings give off heat to the air. Since solids shield the waves emitted by the heater, the floor under the table on their way will not warm up, but the heated table will itself give off the received heat in all directions. Although comparing infrared heaters with the sun is more of a marketing ploy, their radiation spectrum is similar in terms of characteristics.

Heaters device

As in any other electric heater, in infrared, the main part is the heating element: halogen, carbon, ceramic or tubular. The body can be metal, ceramic or combined - metal and plastic.

Depending on the type, IR heaters are produced with reflectors or heating panels. In the first version, the heating element is covered only by a protective grill, and the reflector (reflector) is not only enhances infrared radiation, but also localizes the heating zone, in the second - the heating element is closed with a dull panel. Depending on the brand and price category, heaters have mechanical or electronic control (with a timer), electronics can be controlled from the remote control. But even budget models are equipped with protection against overheating, moisture and rollover (floor).

To minimize energy costs, thermostats are connected to the heaters that regulate the operating mode.

The power of the devices starts from 300 W and varies in a wide range (there are units of 2 kW each, and more), but, as with convectors, our craftsmen advise covering the area with several smaller devices power. Marketers claim stunning economy and minimal electricity consumption, but nobody has canceled the laws of physics. To generate a certain amount of heat, the device must spend a certain amount of energy, and in this case nothing unexpected - 1 kW per 10 m2 of area, if everything is complicated with insulation in the house, then it is worth throwing a little from above.

Another thing is that in a high-quality insulated room, where heat does not escape through the walls, floor and ceiling, windows and doors are sealed, but ventilation is not due to drafts, the heaters will quickly reach the set mode, and less will be required to maintain it electricity. And since the principle of operation is such that surfaces are heated not by air, but by radiation, as a result, the cost of electricity may be slightly lower than when heating with convectors or other electric heaters. But again, everything is purely individual.

Varieties

Infrared heating of a private house can be represented by both stationary and mobile heaters; stationary ones are ceiling and wall-mounted, and mobile ones are floor-standing, of various heights, from baseboards to rather high ones, on long beds. Portable models are convenient for local heating, and by means of stationary ones they organize the main or backup heating system.

Ceiling heaters have restrictions on the minimum height of the room and are mounted at some distance from the ceiling. They work well with plasterboard suspended ceilings, decorative panels or other materials. If the ceiling is one-level, there may be some difficulties with the visual component. They are most often used as the main heating elements both in houses with permanent residence and in summer cottages.

When heating with infrared ceiling heaters, the effect is similar to floor systems - the temperature is higher below than under the ceiling.

And just as in the case of miscalculations on the floor, a "zebra" can be observed when some zones are warmer and others colder. If the coverage area of ​​the units is incorrectly calculated, it will be felt. Opponents of this method claim that the heating devices "bake the head", this happens with powerful devices, if you stand directly under them. Despite this feature, the craftsman from our portal - Ash032, who has been using infrared ceiling heaters for several years as the main source of heat in the house, is satisfied with his choice.

Real tests of infrared heaters in winter in Siberia

Ash032 opened this topic back in 2011, when it was tight with reviews from real users, since the equipment was just beginning to spread in everyday life, smoothly migrating from garages, change houses and common objects use.

Ash032

FORUMHOUSE member

I looked for reviews of real owners (not theorists) of infrared for a very long time and could not find it. I was looking for just those who are completely heated by them. In the end, I decided that I would be the first to conduct real tests in a real private house. I hope this experience will be useful to many.

Initial conditions - a two-storey frame private house made of self-supporting insulated wire, with an area of ​​about 120 m², five-chamber double-glazed windows, an insulated entrance door (mineral wool). The required installation of ceiling infrared heaters with a capacity of 0.3 to 0.8 kW was carried out in stages, in each room (20 pieces in total), plus thermostats. The total power of the installation was 8.3 kW, "baked" only under the most powerful (800 W).

Ash032

It is very comfortable for me to be in the room, the air in the rooms is not dry, it is warm and easy to breathe. I believe that taking heaters more powerful than 0.5 kW for ceilings with a height of 2.8 m and 0.3 for a height of 2.5 m is not worth it, otherwise there is a feeling of local overheating. Better to take more low-power appliances and distribute them evenly over the ceiling.

The craftsman explains the choice in favor of IR heating for a private house precisely by the principle of operation of the equipment.

Ash032

First, the devices will heat objects, the floor, walls, furniture, then all this will heat up the air, and already it will heat everything that is inaccessible to direct rays. But you need to understand that if there is a strong draft in the house, then it will naturally be colder under the table.

He drew up a summary table from which it is clear that the claims about low power consumption are greatly exaggerated, but the consumption is satisfactory. As noted Ash032, most of the electricity is spent on the initial heating of a cold house. If after increasing the temperature by several degrees, the flow rate practically does not increase. To save money, he recommends increasing the temperature threshold at night (if there is a night tariff) in common areas, and reducing it to the usual during the day. But here everything also depends on heat loss, such a focus will work if they are minimized, otherwise an increase in temperature inside the room will lead to an increased outflow of heat outside.

Personal experience of heating with IR wall panels

One of the participants in the discussion - Inka1, also shared his experience of using this type of heating. He switched to wall panels from convectors, as the price of electricity increased significantly. Advertising promised a consumption of 0.5 kW per 10 m², which was very tempting, but in reality the consumption differs slightly.

The main drawback, according to the craftsman, is a longer period of warming up a cold house (6 hours instead of 40 minutes).

Therefore, if you need to leave for a few days, heating do not turn off, and if for a long time, relatives come in a day and "wind up the thermostats." Given the principle of operation of the equipment, this is a natural situation - in order for the walls to begin to give off heat, they must first warm up. Therefore, with a periodic visit to a country house in the cold season, such a system will not be the best option. Unless you install remote access and start the units in advance.

To the advantages of heaters Inka1 refers to the absence of dust and pronounced warmth, "like from a Russian stove", well, cats used to sleep close to convectors, and now they calmly fall asleep anywhere. Verdict.

Inka1

FORUMHOUSE member

IR panels and any infrared heating systems in general have every right to life.

Conclusion

Five years later, Ash032 it is still heated by infrared heaters, since the gas connection is very "biting".

Ash032

It’s warm and comfortable, but where does the heat come from, I don’t even understand, friends came to visit me somehow, they looked for heaters for a long time, until they showed it, they didn’t find it. My opinion about the comfort of this heat has not changed - IR heating is still as wonderful as after launch (with its pluses and minuses), not a single person during operation has Suffered.

Ash032 emphasizes that miracles should not be expected, and the use of this equipment will not give a big energy savings. Nevertheless, infrared heaters may not be the most traditional, but one of the most effective and acceptable in all respects methods of heating with electricity, which will work successfully.

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All details are in author's topic on our website, a lot of useful information from real users - in the combined topic about infrared heaters. If underfloor heating is planned, Consider choosing the right finish. In the video - about condensing boilers.

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Do you think infrared heaters are really good, or just another marketing scam?