What is the difference between an infrared heater and an electric heater?
Another significant difference between infrared heaters and electric heaters is the type of heating they use , which we’ll cover next.
What are the disadvantages of infrared heaters?
One of the few disadvantages of infrared space heaters is their use of targeted heating. These heating systems generally create warmth in one direction. And that might make part of your room feel colder than other areas. Infrared space heaters can run on propane, natural gas, and electricity.
Do Infrared Heaters Use a Lot of Power?
Infrared heaters do not use a lot of power. These units heat a room more efficiently than electric heat, kerosene, propane, or wood. The amount of energy needed to run an infrared heater is low.
How do infrared heaters work?
The first thing you should know is that infrared heaters and electric heaters are powered in different ways. Electric heaters are powered by electricity or batteries. These heaters have to be constantly plugged into a power outlet or wired directly to a circuit breaker or fuse box. If an electric heater is battery-powered, ...
What is the most cost effective heater?
These types of infrared heaters are some of the most cost-efficient heaters on the market because they’re very efficient. Also, infrared heaters don’t just come in a plastic or metal casing, you can also get units that look like a real fireplace.
What is an infrared heater?
It employs electric current through a high-resistance element to produce heat. Infrared electric heaters are a great solution if gas is unavailable or not your preferred method of heating.
What is radiant heat?
Infrared radiant heat is a similar feeling you get from the sun when it warms you up. The comforting feeling of radiant heat is often what makes people choose an infrared space heater. Radiant heating is silent, energy-efficient, and most importantly uniform.
How Do Infrared Heaters Compare to Other Heaters?
Infrared space heaters emit rays that are absorbed by other items, which gently increases the temperature of the heaters' surroundings. They work differently than the other types of heaters you may be considering for your home or office.
How does an infrared heater work?
Infrared Heaters Work Instantly. Most heaters work through convection, gradually heating the surrounding air and letting it circulate until it's premeated the entire room, but infrared heaters emit a precise beam of heat that warms you directly by throwing out a steady stream of heat particles. With infrafed heaters, you don't have to wait ...
Why is infrared light not visible?
Infrared light isn't visible because it's beyond the spectrum we see. That invisible light gets absorbed by our skin, clothes and other objects, which is how things around an infrared heater warm up. It is warmer in direct sunlight than in the shade because the shade blocks out a lot of the light, and like our natural big outside heater, ...
What is a garage heater?
Garage heaters are meant for places that aren't well insulated. They provide high blasts of warm air to cover large areas. Baseboard heaters are perfect for bedrooms and hallways. Low profile, safe, and easy to install, baseboard heaters remain a popular pick.
Does an infrared heater stop heating?
Stops Heating When Off. Infrared heaters work the instant they turn on, but they also stop radiating heat the instant they are turned off. Since the air in the room is not actually warmed, the room will lose heat very quickly.
Do infrared heaters need to be cleaned?
The maintenance for infrared heaters is extremely minimal. Since there are no moving parts, there's no motor to wear out, air filters to replace or lubrication required. All you have to do is periodically clean the reflectors to keep your unit working perfectly.
Is infrared heating environmentally friendly?
Cost-Effective & Environmentally Friendly. Infrared heaters won't add any pollutants in your room. They operate without any carbon combustion, no toxic-by-products, no open flames and no fuel lines. Essentially, infrared heaters don't add anything to the air, and they don't take anything from the air.
How much electricity does a baseboard heater use?
Baseboard heaters use 500 to 2,000 watts of electricity and require 120 or 240 volt circuits. They do not have a flame, and they do not generate carbon monoxide. They also can’t tip over. Baseboard heaters can be a cheap, relatively safe way to heat an unheated room without the need to add ducts.
How much does a baseboard heater cost?
Baseboard Heaters. Baseboard heaters cost about $60 to $300. They are more expensive than space heaters, but they are safer to use because there is less potential of fire. Space heaters are more likely to cause a fire, so they must be used with caution. Baseboard heaters have protective covers that prevent potential burns.
How does a space heater work?
How Space Heaters Work. A space heater contains a convection system with a heat exchanger that converts cold air to warm air. A fan distributes the warm air into the room. These can be noisy. Regular usage can increase your monthly utility bills.
What is a baseboard heater?
Baseboard heaters allow warm air to rise up through the cold, so they are a good choice for areas that have cold drafts from windows. Choose the size you need based on the amount of space you want to heat. Some baseboard heaters use electric coils to warm the surrounding air. These are called convection units.
How much clearance between baseboard and carpet?
When plugging in or installing a baseboard unit, make sure you have ¾ inch of clearance between the baseboard unit and the carpet or floor to allow for proper air circulation. Also, make sure any curtains above the unit are no closer than four to eight inches.
How much power does a house use per month?
A 1,200 square-foot, well-insulated house in most climates heated by baseboard heat averages 12,000 watts of power, or about $400 per month.
Is a space heater as efficient as a baseboard heater?
Space heaters are not as efficient as baseboard heaters and should never be used as a main heat source. Make sure you buy one that is energy efficient. Do some research to learn which models are the most energy efficient.
What is the best baseboard heater?
Electric baseboard heaters are the better option for: 1 Heating an entire, larger room 2 Heating multiple rooms like additions, basements, draftier bedrooms, etc. 3 Maintaining different temperatures in multiple rooms while lowering the temperature on your main heating source (central furnace, etc.)
How does a baseboard heater work?
This means that cool air flows through the baseboard heater, and pumps out as warm air either solely by electric elements heating the air (convection baseboard heater), or by electric elements heating water or oil (hydronic baseboard heater).
What is the best way to heat a small room?
Space Heaters. If you are looking to heat a smaller room, or a small area of a room, the best option is to go for a space heater rather than an electric baseboard heater. Most space heaters are portable, so they can be plugged in pretty much anywhere.
How many fires are caused by electric baseboard heaters?
Specifically for space heaters, according to energy.gov, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that every year, more than 25,000 house fires and more than 300 deaths occur when using space heaters.
What is supplemental heat?
A supplemental heating source is exactly how it sounds: it’s another other type of heating system that can be used in conjunction with your main central furnace that runs on either electric, natural gas, or oil (the most common, main heating system in most homes today.)
Is a baseboard heater good for a space heater?
Both baseboard heaters and space heaters are great for lowering your energy costs when implementing the units and turning down the thermostat on your main heating source. To really know which type of supplemental heating source is best for you, ask yourself two simple questions:
Do electric baseboard heaters need to be hardwired?
For proper installation/set-up for your safety, both require a licensed electrician: Electric baseboard heaters need to be hardwired into your main electrical panel. Space heaters need to be on their own dedicated circuits.
How long do radiant ceiling heaters last?
While that is a long time, the NAHB rates radiant ceiling panels with a 40-year life. But beyond what the NAHB says, you should look carefully at the warranty. What you will find is that most wall or baseboard heaters only have a 2 or 3-year warranty. On the other hand, one of the leading manufacturers of radiant ceiling panels, Ducoterra, gives a 20-year warranty on their panels, the longest warranty in the industry. Why this is important is both long-term cost, but also convenience. When it is least expected, a wall or baseboard heater will fail in the cold weather, requiring an expensive service call from your local electrician.
How many fires were caused by electric heaters in 2009?
Safety – The National Fire Prevention Administration (NFPA) 2016 Report on Home Fires Involving Heating Equipment found that in 2009-2013 there were 6,950 home fires caused by fixed electric heaters (like wall and baseboard) which were responsible for a tragic 430 injuries, 50 deaths, and $155,000,000 in damages.
How does a radiant panel work?
Infrared radiant panels work in a more efficient way – they transfer heat directly using the same principle as how you are warmed when you are outside in the sun. In this way, heat energy is emitted from the radiant ceiling panel and warms you, your furniture, wall, floor, and other objects in your room ( which in turn re-radiate that heat back to you) rather than directly heating the air. The air temperature for a radiant heated room is lower than for a convection heated room, saving energy while delivering a superior level of thermal comfort.
How long does a radiant panel last?
And while radiant panels are slightly more expensive than wall or baseboard heaters, the increased efficiency of a radiant heat ceiling panel means that you will recoup the cost of the radiant heater in just 3 years for a baseboard and 6 years for a wall heater. After that, you save money each year.
What is the warranty on Ducoterra radiant ceiling panels?
On the other hand, one of the leading manufacturers of radiant ceiling panels, Ducoterra, gives a 20-year warranty on their panels, the longest warranty in the industry. Why this is important is both long-term cost, but also convenience. When it is least expected, a wall or baseboard heater will fail in the cold weather, ...
Can you replace a baseboard heater with a radiant ceiling?
If you care about safety, comfort, efficiency, and maximizing usable floor space, then you should seriously consider using radiant ceiling panels as your heating source rather than putting in or replacing your wall or baseboard heater.
Is a baseboard heater more efficient than a wall heater?
Based on several studies, radiant ceiling heaters are 35% more efficient than wall heaters and 50% more efficient than baseboards.
What type of heater is used for baseboards?
Baseboard heaters often have a 240-volt heater, which requires hiring a certified electrician to install it in your home. Baseboard heaters are known as convection heaters and heat up the liquid to operate and continuously warms the building’s air after enough electricity has been used because the liquid remains hot for a long period of time.
Why do you turn on an infrared heater in the summer?
You can turn the infrared heater on in the middle of the summer to enjoy the entertainment of the dancing flames without making it warmer inside the building.
Why is it important to have an electric fireplace?
Additionally, there’s less heat loss with an electric fireplace because 100 percent of the heat produced is used and is released into the room.
How much heat does a wood burning fireplace lose?
Wood-burning fireplaces lose an average of 80 percent of their heat and also require leaving a window open for proper ventilation, which can make the room feel colder. Gas fireplaces also lose 30 to 40 percent of heat, causing a spike in an electric bill and less energy efficiency.
How long do fireplaces last?
The fireplaces can last an average of 20 years, making it necessary to take your time doing your homework and looking around to find the right fit for your property. Consider the look of the flames to determine which brand offers the most realistic flames any fireplace.
Why put an electric fireplace in the wall?
Because the fireplace is inserted directly into the wall, it can boost the market value of your property and deliver more warmth than space heaters. Some people even choose to install an electric insert into an existing fireplace that they want to update and make more efficient.
Can you install a fireplace with a screwdriver?
Many fireplaces are also easy enough to install with only a screwdriver to avoid purchasing additional tools. The simple design makes it convenient and easy to put together, even for those who don’t consider themselves to be handy.
Why are baseboard heaters so efficient?
New baseboard heaters are more efficient because they are new and haven’t been used before. On the other hand, there is no guarantee that new gadgets are better than old ones. Since baseboard heaters are known for converting power into energy to warm up a room or house during winter and cold, all baseboard heaters, both old and new, ...
How to reduce baseboard heater efficiency?
Avoid Window Drafts. Window drafts can reduce baseboard heaters’ efficiency, especially if the heaters are placed close to the window side. It is better to cover the windows with blinds and curtains to allow the heaters to function optimally.
Why do baseboard heaters start malfunctioning?
To avoid fire hazards as a result of malfunctioning: Some baseboard heaters start malfunctioning when they have exceeded their lifespan; at times, they can also cause fire hazards. If this is the case, you can change them with new ones to avoid unnecessary fire occurrences in your house.
What is baseboard heater?
Baseboard heaters are heat sources and are powered through an electric resistance; the heaters’ cables are the major heating source; once the cables are heated, they would release warm water into the air and get the place warm. The presence of thermostats in the baseboard heaters helps to regulate the heaters.
Can a thermostat cause inconsistent heating?
Model challenge: The heaters that have an inbuilt thermostat in them can cause inconsistent heating in the house; this would be a determinant factor to where they would be installed.
Is it better to get a new baseboard heater or an old one?
New baseboard heaters are not better than old ones; the most important thing is that both can efficiently convert the same amount of power into energy. Getting new heaters to replace your old ones doesn’t make it better, it can only land you into spending more money than you are supposed to and at last, get the same result.
Can baseboard heaters be used in hard to warm rooms?
Suitable for hard-to-warm-up rooms: Many parts of the house are so difficult to get warmed up, the best way to defeat this would be to get baseboard heaters for such rooms.
