Infrared, heating you like the sun

If you have spaces that are hard to heat such as rooms with high ceilings, rooms you don’t use often or have a damp bathroom then Infrared heat might be for you.

Why?

The principal of how Infrared heaters work is explained as this. If you were to walk down the street on a sunny day and one side of the street was shaded, the air temperature would be pretty much the same on both sides of the street, but if you walked on the sunny side of the street you would feel warmed as the suns’ rays are heating you. Infrared rays penetrate the body and warm us from the inside out rather than trying to heat the space as with a wet system (radiators).

In buildings, Infrared heating works by directly heating walls and floors as well as the human body, instead of heating the air. The heated objects then release their heat into the environment. This method of heating is more pleasant to the human body than conventional heating which heats the air and then relies on air currents to spread the warmth around the room. Conventional heating also moves dust which can affect those with allergies, Infrared heating does not. In comparison with conventional heating, Infrared heating minimises the difference between floor and ceiling temperatures and places it where it is needed most. Conventional heating allows this warm air to rise and gather at the ceiling rather than from the floor to the middle of the room where it is needed most.

Infrared heating also works directly and that means it does not require air currents to carry the heat. Therefore, the temperature in the room may be easily maintained and restored if needed. The heat is accumulated by the structure of a building and things in the room and then is slowly released in to the air.

This all makes infrared heating ideal for large spaces with few people per square metre such as churches, warehouses, sports halls, and village halls etc.

As an example, we installed Infrared heaters into an old village hall with a large vaulted ceiling that has a number users which typically occupy it in 2 hour spells for things like tai chi, scouts and craft classes. The old gas heaters took up to 2 hours to heat the hall and the occupants, but the new Infrared heaters got the occupants warm within minutes. This was not only more preferable for the occupants but it also saved the bill payers a lot money and made it easier to rent out.

There are also outdoor versions available. Outdoor Infrared heaters are an energy efficient way to keep restaurant and/or bar customers (or maybe guests in a back garden) warm. As the generated heat produced goes straight to our bodies and not the atmosphere then they are more effective than gas patio heaters and better for the environment.

We have samples of these products in our showroom as wall panels, mirrors and the popular ceiling tile. The ceiling tile is a direct replacement for a typical suspended panel and perfect for offices and retail units. We also have underfloor options and even a heated mat which is ideal to warm your feet or it can be used to keep pets warm in a cold house.