How to choose the right infrared heater?

Price may provide some guidance, but it should not be the only key factor in purchasing electric radiant heaters. Nowadays, especially on the Polish market, many products only have attractive descriptions but do not fulfill their promises. This is especially important, especially in the case of so many products from the Chinese market.

The key aspects related to the selection of a radiator for a specific application and volume are:

1. Determining factors : The choice of an appropriate radiator depends on the range of radiation, the degree of air absorption and the efficiency of heat transfer.

2. Radiators outdoors and in large rooms : In such cases, infrared heaters with high intensity of IR-A infrared energy work best.

3. Small rooms with good thermal insulation : In such conditions, a non-luminous radiator with lower intensity of IRC infrared rays and high convection will be effective.

4. Efficiency of radiators. N some manufacturers mistakenly attribute it to the entire heating device efficiency of emitters/lamps, which reaches up to approximately 96-98%. However, the efficiency of the heat source depends significantly on the type of fixture to which the heat source is mounted.
   
   

5. Large devices with large reflectors : These usually have the highest efficiency, especially if they use parabolic reflectors. High reflectivity is confirmed based on tests carried out by specialized laboratories.

6. Efficiency of SOLART radiators : SOLART radiators are characterized by over 50% greater efficiency compared to many common models available on the market, thanks to the use of an advanced structure based on heavy aluminum castings and monolithic bi-curvature reflectors.

When clear technical data and product certificates are available that precisely describe the key parameters of an electric radiant heater, we can consider that our investment risk in a given product is minimal.

Further issues related to choosing the right infrared heater:

1. **Comparison before purchasing**: It is worth following the rule "don't risk it, compare before you buy". Price should not be the only deciding factor.

2. **Understanding the differences**: There are differences between devices of equal power. You need to understand how a 1 kW quartz halogen heater, a 1 kW ceramic heater, a 1 kW low temperature radiant panel and a 1 kW heater at around 100°C work.

3. **Impact of temperature on performance**: Each infrared heat source has different thermal wavelengths and physical characteristics that depend on temperature.

4. **Quartz-halogen radiators**: They reach a temperature of approximately 2300-1500°C and emit a short thermal wave (IR-A), which gives a high radiation content (96%) with enormous intensity.

5. **Carbon fiber heat sources**: They reach a temperature of approximately 1400-1100°C and emit an average thermal wave (IR-B), characterized by an average radiation content (approx. 60%).

6. **Gas and quartz heaters**: They produce a temperature of approximately 1000°C, which generates an average thermal wave (IR-B) with a length of approximately 2.5-2.8 micrometers.

7. **Ceramic radiators**: They emit a long heat wave (>3 micrometers) at a temperature of approximately 700°C, containing approximately 45% low intensity radiation (IR-C) and 65% convective heat.

8. **Radiant panels**: They emit a long thermal wave (>5 micrometers) at a temperature of <500°C, containing approximately 40% of very low intensity radiation (IR-C).

9. **Radiant heaters**: They produce a temperature of approximately 100°C and emit a long wave in the range of 7-8 micrometers.

Understanding these differences is key to properly selecting the right infrared heater for your specific needs.

Many manufacturers often refer to certifications such as DQS/ISO and similar, which can often be confusing for customers. In fact, these certificates do not determine the efficiency, quality or suitability of a specific radiant heater for heating. DQS certification symbols are only an external sign that the management system has successfully passed the certification process. This means that the company that has them meets and has passed management system certification in accordance with the requirements set out in a given standard, for example ISO 9001.

DQS certification symbols are not the result of certification of a specific product, therefore they do not constitute an indicator of product quality. They should also not be used to mark specific products or suggest that they certify the quality of the products. It is important to avoid the false impression that these symbols refer directly to the quality of specific products.

Anything else? Yes, a few points and you can make purchasing decisions :-)

1. **Safety and efficiency** : Infrared rays are safe for humans and eliminate dust floating in the air, which is beneficial for allergy sufferers. They heat people, walls, floors and furniture.

2. **No need to install central heating** : The system runs on electricity, which eliminates the need to install a central heating system, furnace or pipes.

3. **Application in various places* *: Can be installed both outdoors and indoors, depending on your needs. There are different types of radiant heaters, adapted to different applications.

4. **Appropriate selection of the radiator** : It is important to adapt the radiator to its intended use. Outdoor heaters must be resistant to changing weather conditions, while indoor heaters have different requirements.

5. **Operating costs** : It is important to consider operating costs to avoid higher costs in the long run. When choosing, it is worth choosing reputable brands and certified products.

6. **Adjustment to room size** : The selection of the appropriate radiator should be based on the room size, air absorption, radiation range and heat conduction efficiency.

The most important thing is to focus on safety, efficiency and adapting the radiator to a specific situation.

The greatest savings can be achieved by choosing radiators with the highest efficiency in heat emission. Before deciding on a heating system, it is worth thoroughly knowing and comparing the various available systems and the thermal efficiency of the devices offered within these systems.