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When temperatures drop having a heating source you can rely on is not a luxury, but is actually a necessity. Many homeowners use small heaters as an additional heating source in spaces that are drafty and generally cool. Choosing the right heater can depend on a variety of factors, but energy efficiency is always one of the main concerns. If you are looking for a heater that works efficiently to provide warmth, an infrared heater may be the best option available. Before you purchase an infrared heater it is important that you understand how this type of heater functions and how this allows for optimal levels of energy efficiency.

Below is more information on why infrared heaters are so energy efficient:

Keys Energy Efficiency When Heating Your Home

Heating your home efficiently is always a concern, because it can help to save energy and also save you money on heating costs. This means that not only do you need a home that is well insulated, but you can also benefit from the use of an infrared heater. Other types of heaters including convection heaters work by heating the air and require a lot of energy to work effectively. However, a radiant heater works in a completely different way to help you save power. Now it is possible to have a warm and cozy house during the coldest months without wasting energy.

How Does a Radiant Heater Work?

The key to the energy efficiency of a radiant heater is in the unique design of this heating device. Infrared heaters work in a completely different way to provide warmth. They rely on electromagnetic radiation (wikipedia). This is the process of heating actual objects through energy that is radiated in the form of electromagnetic waves. These waves are not visible to the human eye, but they can be felt and produce heat. The best part about the waves of energy that are produced by a radiant heater is that they do not need to be transmitted through a material medium. Different radiant heaters transmit different types of wavelengths depending on the spectrum of the electromagnetic waves that are produced.

Types of Energy Sources

It is possible to purchase a radiant heater in a variety of different types depending on the choice of energy source that is required to run it. Some of the most popular types of radiant heaters include ceramic emitters and gas-fired catalytic heaters. Once the heating element on the radiant heater warms up, the objects and people within the space will start to feel the heat right away. Most radiant heaters can warm to their optimal temperature within just 5 minutes, which is so much faster than convection heaters. Many businesses and industries rely on radiant heaters for a variety of reasons.

Radiant Heaters and Energy Efficiency

The main benefit to using a radiant heater comes from the energy efficiency (energy.gov) that it provides. Research has shown that this type of heater radiates nearly 90% of the energy that is supplied to them. This is so much higher than other conventional heaters. The best part is that radiant heaters do not require you to turn them on for long periods of time before you start to feel the warmth provided. Since they work in a different way entirely, radiant heaters begin emitting warmth right away and can be felt almost instantly. This is due to the fact that the heat you are feeling is not due to convection, but actually relies on direct absorption. You can think of a radiant heater in the same way as a campfire in the sense that the heat can be felt right away. Radiation is the key to what makes a radiant heater so energy efficient. Since convection heaters work by heating the air in a space, they take a much longer time to provide warmth and use up much more energy. However, radiant heaters work to radiate heat right away and do not require the waste of energy to function.

Efficiency Levels

Even though all radiant heaters are known to be an energy efficient option, some are more efficient than others. When you buy this type of heating system you have the ability to choose the level of energy efficiency that you want access to. Energy efficiency of a radiant heater is primarily measured through the amount of heat output that is provided in comparison to the amount of energy that is supplied. There is no radiant system that is 100% efficient, but most are close to nearly 90%. Efficiency is something that should be your main concern, but safety should not be forgotten. The only downside to the use of a radiant heater is the safety hazard that you have to avoid. The exposed heating element on many of these heaters can be a potential fire hard and flammable objects should not be left close by.