INFRARED HEATERS

As good as many of the different kinds of infrared heaters are, many of them take some time to reach full capacity. This is fine if you’re dealing with patio heaters or other similar types, as you’ll most likely just turn them up and leave them on for long periods of time. If you’re only going to be in the vicinity of the heater for a short time, however, it’s important to consider the heat-up time. Quartz infrared heaters are unusual in their ability to heat up extremely quickly. This can be really useful. For example, you may have one room in your home you use only rarely but which must be heated quickly when needed. It’d be wasteful to heat it all the time “just in case”. A typical quartz infrared heater will be able to reach full operating temperature in 30 to 60 seconds and as a result is perfect for this and any other situation in which you need heat fast.

Summary: The advantages of quartz heaters include super fast turn-on and turn-off times, which are fantastic when you need high heat for just a short while. As a disadvantage, quartz heaters are usually less well suited to continuous heating, and may not be quite so efficient as some of their brethren.

A common theme surrounding patio heaters is that they are woefully inefficient, so much so that they are often brought up as examples of anti-environmental decadence! This is because traditional heaters operate by convection. This means that the purpose of the patio heaters is to raise the temperature of the surrounding air. The air itself will then heat up the objects in its vicinity. However, because the patio heater is outside, most of that air just blows away and expels its heat into the atmosphere rather than doing anything useful. Patio infrared heaters are a great example of the use of direct infrared heating. Direct heating means that the objects, including people, are heated directly by the transmission of infrared waves. The air is no longer part of the equation and plays a much smaller role in reducing efficiency. Because you are no longer throwing your dollar bills to the wind, patio infrared heaters can save you a colossal amount in heating bills; up to 90% by some estimates!

Summary: Compared to regular old patio heaters, the infrared variety will massively increase efficiency. This means you’ll spend less money heating the atmosphere and concentrate all the heat on you and your guests instead. You need no longer worry about adverse environmental effects if you opt for a patio infrared heater.

One of the most endearing qualities of electric infrared heaters is the sheer simplicity and ease of installation. The only thing you need is an electrical outlet. However, another important consideration is that of environmental awareness. It is true that a great deal of electricity is produced through the burning of fossil fuels, and thus is little better for the environment than burning gas or oil directly. However, we’re now seeing more and more wind, solar and hydroelectric power take off in a big way. In the state of Iowa, for example, 14 percent of all electricity is derived from renewable resources like the wind. Many people are drawn towards the cleanliness and purity of electric infrared heaters. Electric heaters also have the advantage of reliability. The simpler the design, the more reliable and long-lasting it usually is, and electric heaters are right up there with the simplest devices on the market.

Summary: Electricity is clean, pure and often sustainable in the form of the wind, the waves, and the rivers. Instead of depleting our reserves of oil and gas, consider choosing the eco-friendly option. At the same time, you’ll benefit from the ease of setup and low maintenance.

Speaking of reliability, ceramic infrared heaters are another great option. From the better models on the market you can easily expect 10,000 hours of comfortable heating, even in outdoor situations. This makes ceramic infrared heaters a fantastic choice for those who wish to leave a heater on all the time. As producers of long-wave infrared radiation in the 2-10 micron range, ceramic heaters are some of the most efficient types of infrared heater. The very long wavelengths of infrared radiation are similar to those emitted from the sun itself, although there is of course none of the dangerous ultraviolet waves that can cause health problems. This makes ceramic heaters a fine option for comfort and health as well as longevity.

Summary: Ceramic heaters are particularly effective in outdoor situations. The heat you get from ceramic infrared heaters rivals that of the sun for comfort and strength, and they are often designed to last a very long time. Compare these with the quartz variety, though; ceramic heaters will almost certainly take much longer to reach their ideal temperature.

Not everyone has constant access to electricity, especially in mobile situations where you need heat quickly and reliable on the move. The problem with electricity is in always being tied to an outlet somewhere. Gas infrared heaters open up the possibility of using gas bottles as a power source. This allows you to get plenty of heat anywhere you can transport the typical gas cylinders. Think for example of how useful it would be to use gas heaters in an out-of-the-way structure like a barn or shed which has no connection to the power grid. Alternatively, imagine heating an outdoor performance such as a show or gig. Rather than needing to drag long wires all over the place creating a trip hazard, gas infrared heaters can be small, self-contained and easily mobile, allowing you a neat and tidy way of providing efficient heat anywhere it’s needed.

Summary: For when you need heat without wires, gas heaters are best. Compared to electricity, gas takes a little more maintenance and more work moving the cylinders around, but the extra freedom and versatility of not needing to be next to an outlet can be well worth the extra effort.