Right now, infrared heaters are some of the most popular heaters available on the market. Although their design has been kept traditional throughout the years, there are some companies that recently started pushing out office and gaming dedicated heaters. This brings us to our today’s guide, where you’ll be learning:
- What, Exactly, An Infrared Heater is
- The Uses of An Infrared Heater
- Whether Infrared Heaters Are Harmful or Not
By the time you finish reading, you will know whether or not an infrared heater is right for you.
What Is An Infrared Heater?
A heater is a “device that generates and/or radiates heat”. Given this fact, an infrared heater is just that: a device that generates heat and, then, radiates it. To accomplish this task, an infrared heater relies on one of three fuel sources:
- Natural Gas
- Propane
- Electricity
Each one of these fuel sources is converted into thermal energy. Right after doing so, the reflector within the heater directs that thermal energy to the objects outside of the heater. None of this heat spreads directly into the air. Rather, infrared waves – which serve as the warmth an infrared heater produces – spread directly to the bodies and items surrounding the heater.
You cannot use an infrared heater to warm the entirety of a space. But, you can use an infrared heater to warm yourself and the objects you are using.
To go along with that, there are several types of infrared heaters available:
- Portable Infrared Heaters
- Wall Infrared Heaters
- Space Infrared Heaters
- Tower Infrared Heaters
Each one of these infrared heaters serves the same purpose. But, due to their unique design, the way they serve this purpose differs from the other heaters available.
What Can You Use An Infrared Heater For?
Rather than warming the surrounding air, an infrared heater warms the objects and bodies surrounding it. Given this fact, you cannot heat a space, in its entirety, with an infrared heater. Something similar occurs when an infrared heater is turned off: the heat vanishes almost immediately, rather than slowly dissipating within the air. For these reasons, infrared heaters offer a number of unique possibilities.
Some of the most notable possibilities include:
- Heating Paint So That It Will Dry Faster
- Warming Yourself Directly
- Serving As a Portable Heater In A Factory
- Heating Production Lines In Factories
- Serving As A Sauna In Gyms & Spas
Every infrared heater offers several heat settings. You can select the one that is most appropriate for accomplishing these tasks, or any others that come to mind. So, if you ever wondered how to keep your hands warm while gaming, this can be one of your solutions.
Are Infrared Heaters Harmful?
The simple answer is “No”. But, it’s a little more complicated than that. You see, infrared heaters are safe. Yet, as with any heater, using an infrared heater comes with a couple of mild risks.
The most notable risks include:
- Burning Your Hands When Touching The Heater’s Hot Exterior
- Accidentally Leaving Flammable Objects On The Heater
Each one of these risks is easy to avoid:
- Only Touch The Heater’s Exterior When It’s Turned Off
- Don’t Leave Flammable Objects On The Heater
Outside of those mild risks, there are some safety guidelines you should keep in mind:
- Make Sure Your Power Cord Isn’t Damaged/Protect It From Damage
- Don’t Leave Any Flammable Objects On The Heater
- Keep Your Hands Away From The Exterior Coils
- Use A Grounded Outlet
- Check Your Smoke Alarms And Make Sure They Work
Each one of these safety guidelines is worth adhering to when using any type of heater. You will, by following them, keep you, your home, and the heater, safe.
Conclusion
Convenience and efficiency make infrared heaters some of the best heaters available. To ensure that your experience using an infrared heater is as pleasant as possible, remember to:
- Take Proper Safety Precautions
- Focus On Heating Yourself/Objects, Rather Than An Entire Space
- Select The Appropriate Heat Setting
You will, by doing those things, meet your heating needs with ease.
