| Over the past 25 years, gas infrared heaters have | | | | under an infrared heater? |
| gained in popularity to the point where they are now | | | | Infrared heaters do get hot, so proper mounting |
| the standard in heating garages, shops, warehouses, | | | | distances and clearance requirements must be met. |
| auto service centers, manufacturing facilities, farm | | | | However, there are no harmful effects from the |
| buildings and more. | | | | radiant heat energy. Unlike the sun, infrared heaters do |
| Why? | | | | not produce ultra-violet rays, only comfortable radiant |
| Infrared heating is more energy efficient than | | | | warmth, like standing by a fireplace or stove. |
| conventional forced air heating in large open spaces. In | | | | Do some infrared heaters perform better than others? |
| fact, during the past decade forced air unit heaters | | | | Yes. Every infrared heater manufacturer will say |
| have taken a back seat to infrared heaters. Infrared is | | | | different things about why they feel their product is the |
| now the rule rather than the exception. | | | | best. You may need to sift through the jargon to find |
| What is infrared? | | | | out for yourself what makes one appliance brand |
| Infrared is electromagnetic wave energy. Like light, | | | | better than another. Most high intensity infrared heater |
| infrared (radiant) energy travels at the speed of light in | | | | brands have few differences in performance. The |
| a straight line until it strikes an object. Any hot surface | | | | same cannot be said for infrared radiant tube heaters. |
| emits infrared energy. Think of your oven, stove, | | | | So what criteria should I use to select an infrared tube |
| fireplace and our own sun. | | | | heater brand? |
| How does infrared heating work? | | | | We suggest looking at the criteria specifiers use to |
| A gas fired infrared tube heater or high intensity heater | | | | determine performance and reliability. These criteria |
| (normally ceiling suspended) emulates the warmth of | | | | are: |
| the sun by generating radiant energy that converts to | | | | Reflector design (the most important factor in radiant |
| useable heat when absorbed by objects in its path. In | | | | efficiency) |
| buildings, objects such as floors, tools and machinery | | | | Control box design (controls should be isolated out of |
| absorb the infrared radiant energy. This creates a | | | | the air stream) |
| "heat sink" where warmth is stored and re-radiated to | | | | Serviceability (easy control access and easy to |
| warm the surrounding air. | | | | diagnose problems) |
| Can infrared cut my fuel costs? | | | | Burner design (affects heat uniformity) |
| Yes. It is not unusual to generate fuel savings of 30% | | | | Emitter tubing (hot rolled? Aluminized? Heat-treated |
| or more compared to forced air heating methods such | | | | aluminized?) |
| as unit heaters. In high bay structures, forced air | | | | Couplings (connects the radiant tubes together - how |
| heaters are impractical because warm convective air | | | | good are they?) |
| rises to the ceiling, leaving floors relatively cold. In fact, | | | | If you're looking for an infrared heater or multiple |
| warm air must stratify from the ceiling downward to | | | | infrared heaters, use the aforementioned criteria to |
| keep people warm at the floor level. Consequently, | | | | help you make an educated buying decision. |
| building owners find that their forced air heaters run | | | | Just as importantly, buy from a reputable distributor |
| almost continually, only to find an outrageous monthly | | | | with years of experience in the infrared industry. A |
| fuel bill. | | | | good distributor will have the skills to help you size a |
| By contrast, infrared heaters emit quiet radiant energy | | | | heater or system to meet your exact requirements |
| to the floors, which absorb and re-radiate heat from | | | | and should do this free of charge. Make sure the |
| the ground up. This translates to warm, comfortable | | | | company you choose to buy from has the strength |
| conditions at the people zone and less wasted | | | | and staying power to ensure that you will have all the |
| convective heat at the ceiling. In immense structures | | | | support you need before, during and long after the sale |
| such as warehouses and aircraft hangars, infrared | | | | is made. Should you need any technical assistance, |
| heat is the only practical choice for creature comfort | | | | parts or other service down the road, you'll want to be |
| and energy savings. | | | | comfortable know you'll be taken care of. That's |
| Are there any negative side effects from standing | | | | essence of good business. |