Infrared Heaters With A Thermostat For Summer Cottages: Types, Features, Characteristics, Advantages And Disadvantages, Reviews

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Infrared heater with thermostat for summer cottages - choosing the best option

Warmth and comfort in the house are inseparably linked. But many do not equip the dacha with a good heating system, so it is almost impossible to be there in the cold season. An infrared heater can solve this problem.

Content

• 1 What is an infrared heater
• 2 Pros and cons

• 3 Types of IR heaters

  • 3.1 On site
  • 3.2 By wavelength
  • 3.3 By type of thermostat

• 4 How to choose an IR heater

  4.1 Calculating the right power

• 5 Most Popular IR Heaters

  • 5.1 Almac IK11
  • 5.2 Hyundai H-HC3-08-UI998
  • 5.3 Ballu BIH-L-2.0
  • 5.4 Timberk TCH Q2 800
  • 5.5 Ballu BIH-APL-1.0

What is an infrared heater

An infrared heater generates infrared radiation that heats up solid objects. They, in turn, give off heat to the external environment. This is how infrared radiation is converted into thermal radiation. In this way, the infrared heater is fundamentally different from the usual one. Heating of the room is not due to an increase in the air temperature, but due to the point heating of solid objects. This allows the IR heater to quickly create a comfortable microclimate in a certain area of the room, without wasting time and energy on heating the air mass of the entire room.

Convective heating is not able to provide such a rapid heating of the desired place

An infrared heater has only three main elements:

• the body is made of heat-resistant material;
• the heating element-emitter generates infrared waves;
• the reflector serves to give directionality to the radiation area.

Pros and cons

Among the advantages of an IR heater, it is worth noting:

• fast warming up of objects and people in the room;
• profitability (according to the latest research, an infrared heater consumes on average 20% less energy than a standard electric one);
• offline mode;
• does not make noise;
• creates the effect of “warm floor”;
• you can adjust the heating area;
• can be effectively used in a semi-open space (for example, on a terrace or in a gazebo);
• does not dry the air;
• the heat that the infrared heater gives is distributed from top to bottom, so there will be no unnecessary waste of energy for heating the air near the ceiling;
• safety and reliability of the design.

The device also has a number of disadvantages:

• high price;
• there is a risk of damage to the varnish on walls and furniture due to their direct heating;
• there is a certain health risk.

Let us dwell on the last point in more detail. Infrared radiation can heat up the body unevenly if the person is standing or sitting sideways to the heater. This leads to active evaporation of fluid and dehydration of the body, dry skin. If, moreover, the heater is set to high power, then there is a risk of getting even a burn.

So that the IR heater does not harm your health, you need to select the device and its mode of operation in exact accordance with the parameters of the room. For example, you should not take a powerful apparatus into a small room in the hope of quickly warming it up. It is equally important to correctly position the heater. It should be as far as possible from the person himself, to heat only furniture and interior. Never place the infrared heater near your head. This can lead to migraines.

Types of IR heaters

Infrared heaters can differ in different characteristics.

At the place of installation

The IR heater can be installed:

• to the ceiling. If you still remember the principle of operation and the distribution of heat from infrared heating, then installing a heater on the ceiling will probably seem to you the most rational, and for good reason. Ceiling devices are able to evenly warm the room. Their only drawback is that they are not suitable for installation in rooms with low ceilings due to the impact on human health. They should be installed in rooms with a height of at least 2.3 m;

  

  Ceiling devices do not warm up the room as quickly as floor or wall devices, but they do it as evenly as possible

• on the wall. Such infrared heaters have an undoubted advantage - installation variability. You can place the unit near the ceiling or the floor, toward one end of the room, or the other, depending on the environment. Wall mounted IR heaters are great for local heating, but poorly for full;

  

  The heater located on the wall heats up nearby objects very quickly

• on the floor (mobile). Portable floor-standing infrared heaters are a good option for a summer cottage if you rarely visit it. Usually, such devices cannot boast of high power, but they are very mobile. You can use it at home as an additional heating, and, if necessary, take it in a car to the country. Another plus is the absence of the need for installation.

  

  Floor heaters come in a variety of styles - you will surely find a suitable design

By wavelength

The wavelength determines the performance of the heater:

• short-wavelengths emit wavelengths from 0.74 to 2.5 microns. This provides intensive heating. It should be borne in mind that the temperature of the heating element in such heaters can reach 800 degrees in operating mode. Such devices are poorly suited for indoor use, but they perfectly heat the surrounding area;
• medium wave infrared heaters provide wavelengths of 2.5-50 microns. Warming up is less noticeable, and therefore such devices are usually slightly cheaper. Medium-wave heaters are installed only in spacious rooms with a ceiling height of 2.5 m and higher;
• long-wave infrared heaters are the safest for indoor use. If the wavelength is more than 50 microns, then such a device can be placed in a room with ceilings less than 2.5 m high.

By type of thermostat

Thermostats in IR heaters are:

• mechanical. The simplest and cheapest devices. Temperature control is done with a rotary switch. This approach cannot provide high accuracy, but it is distinguished by its reliability and resistance to breakage;

  

  Mechanical thermostats are the very option that people call "cheap and cheerful"

• electronic non-programmable. In terms of its functionality, such a thermostat does not differ from a mechanical one. But control in it is carried out using buttons or a touch panel. This allows for more precise temperature settings;

• electronic programmable. These devices are expensive. But the user has the opportunity to save on electricity by setting up the automatic switching on and off of the heater. With this thermostat, you can set the heater for the days of the week and time of day. These devices are often equipped with child protection and remote control. However, you should not choose this option for a summer residence - you are unlikely to need to adjust the temperature depending on the days of the week on vacation.

  

  Programmable thermostats are a great choice for a city apartment or residential building, but not for a summer cottage

How to choose an IR heater

The choice of a heater largely depends on the conditions in the room. It is worth focusing on the key characteristics:

• power. An IR heater with a power of 100 W / m² is suitable for most situations. If the room has poor thermal insulation, then you can choose a more powerful option. But it is better not to buy a heater with a power higher than 150 W / m² - it may not be safe for health when installed indoors. Such devices are only suitable for semi-open spaces (terraces, for example);
• wavelength. Shortwave are used only in semi-open spaces. Medium wavelength is suitable for spacious rooms - for example, an open through two-story hall. For all other rooms, it is recommended to purchase a long-wave heater;
• mount location. Most often, ceiling ones are used in everyday life, but a floor-mounted portable infrared heater is also well suited for giving;
• type of heating element. IR heaters with exposed elements (tungsten, halogen, heating elements and carbon) emit heat and glow, so they are not suitable for bedrooms. If you have small children, then such devices should also be abandoned - they are less safe and can cause severe burns when touched. But ceramic and film micathermic from the outside heats up much less, and they look more aesthetically pleasing. Their only drawback is the higher price;
• fire hazard sensors. These small parts will automatically shut off the device if it rolls over or reaches a critical high temperature. All modern heaters have such a system, but nevertheless, when buying, you should pay special attention to its presence;
• type of thermostat. An electronic programmable thermostat for a summer residence is not the best solution in terms of price and quality. If convenience and precision of control are important to you, choose electronic non-programmable devices. And if you value reliability and ease of repair in the event of a breakdown, mechanical thermostats are more suitable for you.

We calculate the suitable power

One of the main difficulties when choosing an IR heater is choosing the optimal power. Using a simple example, we will analyze how best to make calculations.

For optimal and uniform heating of the entire room, 100 W per 1 sq. M. Is enough. Suppose we have a 28 sq.m. living room. In this case, you can immediately assume that you need an IR heater with a power of about 2,800 W. But the heating of such a large room from just one source will not be uniform enough. Rather, we split all the power needed into two and get two small IR heaters with a power of about 1,400 watts. By installing them in opposite ends of the living room, we will get uniform heating without harm to health.

Consider a situation with poor thermal insulation (which is often found in the country). If the room does not retain heat well and cools down quickly, then a coefficient of 1.5 must be added to all the calculations above. Multiply the desired power indicator by it. If the room is completely devoid of thermal insulation (for example, semi-open structures), then this coefficient increases to 2.

Most Popular IR Heaters

Consider the most popular IR heaters among buyers, which deserve the best reviews.

Almac IK11

This device has a power of 1,000 watts. The IR heater is suitable for wall mounting. The dimensions of the device (133x3x16 cm) and its unremarkable appearance are ideal for almost any room. Heating element - heating element. The thermostat is not built-in, so you have to buy it separately. The heater is easy to install, but the kit does not include wall mounts or wires. The cost of such an IR device is from 3,500 rubles.

Almac IK11 has a simple and unassuming design

Hyundai H-HC3–08-UI998

The miniature portable IR heater is capable of delivering 800W (400W for each of the two lamps). It is perfect for spot heating, as well as for alternate use both in the country and in everyday housing. The heater has a mechanical built-in thermostat. Among the disadvantages is the fragility of the structure. The cost of the device is from 600 rubles.

The device is available in white and silver

Ballu BIH-L-2.0

The Ballu BIH-L-2.0 powerful electric IR heater is capable of delivering power up to 2000 watts. It works well for large spaces as well as semi-open spaces. Among the advantages, it is worth noting the versatility of the device - it can be installed on a wall, on a ceiling, even on the floor (when purchasing a telescopic steel tripod from the same manufacturer). A built-in mechanical thermostat allows relatively precise temperature control. Among the minuses, it is worth noting the small resource of the heating element. With regular use, it won't last long. The cost of such a heater starts from 2,500 rubles.

A tripod can be purchased separately, or you can fix the heater on a wall or ceiling using the supplied accessories

Timberk TCH Q2 800

Timberk TCH Q2 800 is a 800W floor standing infrared heater. The device has two 400 W lamps. They can be turned on both separately and together, thus regulating the heating power. Users note that the device has a solid assembly, does not emit an unpleasant odor when heated and does not make noise. For spot heating of a small space - a great option. If you want to heat the entire room as a whole, then you will need at least two such heaters. Better to buy a ceiling. Timberk TCH Q2 800 cost starts from 700 rubles.

Timberk TCH Q2 800 - light and compact floor heater

Ballu BIH-APL-1.0

Ballu BIH-APL-1.0 has a power of 1,000 watts. Despite the rather high figure, the manufacturer claims (and buyers confirm this) that the device is intended for local heating of places up to 10 square meters. m. The infrared heater can be fixed on the wall, on the ceiling, as well as suspended at the desired height using a special suspension kit. The thermostat is not included in the kit, but it can be connected. The cost of the device starts from 2,500 rubles.

Like another heater from a Chinese manufacturer, Ballu BIH-APL-1.0 can be mounted almost as you like

An infrared heater is a good solution for a summer cottage. Different types of these devices allow you to choose the best option for each room.