INFRARED BASICS - FAQ

What is infrared?

Infrared is electromagnetic wave energy. Like light, infrared (radiant) energy travels at the speed of light in a straight line until it strikes an object.

How Does Infrared Heating Work?

The clean, efficient and draft free infrared radiant heat feels just like the sun warming people and objects, while not wasting valuable energy heating the air.

A gas fired infrared tube heater or high intensity heater emulates the warmth of the sun by generating radiant energy that converts to useable heat when absorbed by objects in its path. In buildings, objects such as floors, tools and machinery absorb the infrared radiant energy. This creates a "heat sink" where warmth is stored and re-radiated to warm the surrounding air.

Can infrared cut my fuel costs?

Yes. It is not unusual to generate fuel savings of 32% or more compared to forced air heating methods such as unit heaters. In high bay structures, forced air heaters are impractical because warm convective air rises to the ceiling, leaving floors relatively cold. In fact, warm air must stratify from the ceiling downward to keep people warm at the floor level. Consequently, building owners find that their forced air heaters run almost continually, only to find an outrageous monthly fuel bill.

By contrast, infrared heaters emit quiet radiant energy to the floors, which absorb and re-radiate heat from the ground up. This translates to warm, comfortable conditions at the people zone and less wasted convective heat at the ceiling. In immense structures such as warehouses and aircraft hangars, infrared heat is the only practical choice for creature comfort and energy savings.

Are there any negative side effects from standing under an infrared heater?

Infrared heaters do get hot, so proper mounting distances and clearance requirements must be met. However, there are no harmful effects from the radiant heat energy. Unlike the sun, infrared heaters do not produce ultra-violet rays, only comfortable radiant warmth, like standing by a fireplace or stove.