Infrared heaters. What is the efficiency of infrared heating at home, the pros and cons of infrared heating. Ceiling system - reasonable and inexpensive home heating

Nowadays, when technological progress does not stand still, a large number of country property owners are abandoning traditional heating systems in favor of more innovative ones.

One of these heating systems, which has already been tested and shown to be effective, is IR heating.

Infrared heating of a home is far from a new technology, but at the same time innovative, as it is an affordable and effective way to heat a property. The basis of such heating is the power of nature, because all devices for infrared heating use the same principles as the Sun - it is not the air itself that is heated, but directly the surface of the room.

Heating with infrared rays: features

In itself, infrared heating of a country house, although technically complex, is still characterized by increased productivity. Due to the high power of the heaters themselves, as well as the innovative method of heating the air in the room (the walls, furniture, floor and ceiling receive heat first, and then the air), it is possible to achieve not only high quality work, but also significantly reduce the cost of heating .

It should be noted that due to the absence of absorption by the air of heat emanating directly from the device itself, it is possible to eliminate energy losses. Thus, there is no irrational temperature distribution, and therefore the efficiency of IR heaters is an order of magnitude higher than that of the same batteries or air heating devices. Energy savings amount to 70%, which significantly affects the cost of heating and allows you to save money.

Floor-standing IR heaters for a country house

The instructions for heating devices using this technology also indicate that they can be used for spot or zone heating of a room. By the way, this is the only type of heating equipment with similar characteristics.

Design of IR heating devices

Today, all infrared devices for heating a country house presented on the domestic market have a single design. The main structural element of such equipment is a heating element (as a rule, several heaters are used).

The design also uses aluminum alloy plates, which can heat up to 250C and emit electromagnetic waves in a certain range. It should be noted that the body of the IR device does not heat up above 80 C, and therefore they can be safely installed in any room, without fear of sudden fire or accidental burns.

Installation of a heating system with IR heaters: preliminary work

Before starting any work and heating a country house with infrared heaters, you need to collect some information:

The area of the house where it is planned to install an infrared heating system. Be sure to take into account the size and number of window openings and doors;
Thermal insulation coefficient of the house (determined through special reference books, depends on the material from which the building is constructed);

The total power needed to heat the entire house.

If you do the installation of devices yourself, it is important to check the maximum voltage in the electrical system of the house. The indicators should be within 220-230 V - otherwise you need to take care of purchasing stabilizers, because IR devices are sensitive to voltage fluctuations.

In addition, you should select rooms that will be heated. As a rule, infrared heating is used for a certain number of rooms where the highest efficiency and productivity can be achieved - living room, kitchen, hallway, bathrooms and utility rooms. For all these rooms, 6-8 heaters will be enough.

Advice. When choosing equipment and calculating it, you need to take devices “with a reserve” of power. This can be useful if one of the panels fails (others will take on its load).

Infrared heating equipment: how to install correctly

Installing infrared heating is a process that requires a certain sequence and knowledge of the features. So, for example, installation of equipment must be done at a certain height (this can be seen in the photo and video on our website) and for each heater the parameters will be different.

IR heaters installed in the living room of a private house

The norm is considered to be 2.2-3.5 meters from the floor - with such indicators the highest productivity is achieved. It should be noted that IR equipment should be mounted at a height of at least 0.5 meters from a person’s head, and such a heating system should not be installed above furniture.

In order to ensure the most optimal room temperature and save a lot of money, it is important to perform a load balancing process during the installation of IR systems. Its essence lies in managing equipment, in particular, the load on the system.

It is planned to install special automation devices in the heating system that control operating modes and load on the entire system.

Advice. There are no difficulties during the installation of IR equipment. The main requirement is compliance with electrical safety measures prescribed by the equipment manufacturer.

Advantages of such systems

The use of infrared technology for heating a country house has many advantages over more traditional heating systems.

Among the most important advantages are:

Low price of heating itself. Despite the slightly higher cost of the equipment itself, heating the room is cheaper than using water or;

One of the types of floor IR heaters

Versatility. IR devices are effectively suitable for heating absolutely any room in a country house, from living rooms to bathrooms and storage rooms. There are practically no restrictions;
IR heaters do not burn oxygen in the room, do not create vibrations or noise. As a result, it is very comfortable to be in such a room, even after long-term operation of the heating system (this cannot be said about traditional heating);
Duration of trouble-free operation. Many equipment manufacturers claim that infrared heating of a country house will last at least 20 years and will not lose its performance, reliability and safety;
Fast heat transfer. Unlike most heating systems, IR devices begin to transfer heat immediately after switching on, which allows you to heat a room of any size in just a few minutes;
No need for expensive installation and maintenance. Equipment installation and maintenance can be performed even by a person without specific qualifications. It is enough just to study the instructions and take into account the requirements of the manufacturers;

Effective automation of equipment operation without extra costs and complex work. Without any problems, you can install various devices into an infrared heating system, thanks to which the operation of the system will become more productive and of higher quality, and it will be possible to reduce costs.

Types of IR emitters for heating a home

Various companies offer domestic consumers a wide range of infrared devices designed to heat a country house. Basically all type devices, but you can also find wall-mounted and floor-mounted devices. As a rule, in most cases the fuel is electricity, but there are also gas equipment (industrial devices).

The most innovative IR heaters are the so-called picture heaters. This is not only equipment that allows you to effectively heat the air in a room, but also a stylish element of interior decoration that will fit into any room. Such devices consist of heating carbon filaments that operate without overloads or overheating.

Bottom line

Infrared heating of a home is the most economical, practical and reliable way to ensure effective heating of any property, regardless of size. A large selection of heating devices, affordable prices and ease of installation make IR technology an affordable and very profitable alternative to traditional heating.

Using infrared radiation to heat your home is a relatively new heating option that was first used in the 1930s. Currently, the range of infrared heaters has been replenished with effective, economical models, the result of which is the rapid heating of the room without air convection.

Infrared heating is becoming increasingly popular. Infrared radiation sources are easy to install, have a good design and are affordable.

There are several heating systems available on the market that use infrared radiation:

ceiling system;
wall system;
floor system.

Each option is different in design and also has specific features that you need to learn about before planning to heat your home with infrared heaters and panels.

Ceiling system - reasonable and inexpensive home heating

High-quality infrared heating, the pros and cons of which will be discussed in this article, can be implemented using a ceiling heating system. As the name suggests, the installation of system elements is carried out on the ceiling space, and the heat flow is directed to the floor. Therefore, the floor surface temperature will be several degrees higher than the air temperature. Such conditions are quite comfortable for most ordinary people, because with conventional hydraulic heating using radiators it is quite difficult to solve the problem of cold floors. Infrared heaters are very often used for...

Let's look at the design features that distinguish infrared heating lamps installed on the ceiling. They consist of the following functional components:

For an infrared ceiling heater to create heat, the system produces electromagnetic waves, which are converted into thermal energy. In this case, the heating efficiency depends on the type of material used to produce the heating element. Tungsten, ceramic and quartz heating elements have proven themselves well.

Infrared ceiling heating systems have a number of special advantages:

Flaws:

Wall heating systems - a combination of efficiency and economy

The high efficiency of infrared heating makes property owners pay attention to wall-mounted heating systems. Such a system will be a good alternative to traditional heating. Currently, wall-mounted infrared heating radiators are presented in the form of radiators, baseboards and designer panels and plan systems.

A characteristic feature of wall-mounted units is their easy installation.

Therefore, even a beginner who has no experience in connecting traditional heating devices - gas boilers, pipelines and radiators can make infrared heating with their own hands. To install the device, just select a place in the apartment, drill the brackets and hang the infrared heater in accordance with the instructions.

The plan heating system can be used as wall heating, reviews and prices of which are posted on thematic forums. Such a system is mounted in the thickness of the wall. To install, the owner will need infrared heating film, the price of which is about 1,200 rubles per square meter. Today, many homeowners are still not familiar with new technologies and often ask the question: heating plan, what is it and how does it work?

The answer is as follows - the plan heating system, the price of which is about 15-17 dollars per square meter, is a low-temperature film heater. It can be used for heating apartments, country houses, industrial buildings and offices. It is especially effective to place infrared film heating on external walls that are prone to local freezing and the formation of fungi.

For owners who are interested in a plan heating system, reviews will help them form an objective opinion about the rationality of using such heating in the house. It's also worth exploring the strengths and weaknesses of wall-mounted infrared heaters.

Advantages:

long service life;
automated work process;
minimal maintenance costs;
low heating costs per square meter of area;
attractive body.

Flaws:

high initial investment;
heaters should be installed in optimal locations to ensure uniform heating;
insufficient power of the devices will not be able to provide high-quality heating in regions with very harsh winters.

Floor system - a combination of practicality and benefit

The underfloor heating system is based on the use of special film mats with flat heating elements connected in series. Floor infrared heating, prices for which start from $40 per square meter of a two-core mat, can also be used for heating. The finished structure has a minimum thickness, so it can be used with any type of screed using ceramic tiles, natural stone, laminate, etc.

The heating system is installed in a short time and is not accompanied by such labor-intensive work as drilling walls and slabs, which are typical for installing a hydraulic heated floor system.

System advantages:

Flaws:

Specifics of operation of devices using infrared radiation for heating

Before you buy infrared heating, you should familiarize yourself with the specifics of how the devices operate. To begin with, it is worth noting that with the help of an infrared heater you can create an absolutely healthy microclimate. Its work is not accompanied by the creation of air currents, along with which germs and contaminants are transferred. Therefore, when wondering whether a convector or an infrared heater is better, you should give preference to the second device, which is environmentally friendly. In the article you can read in detail about infrared heating and other environmentally friendly methods.

This choice will allow you to equip the house with safe heating, as a result of which the optimal air humidity is not disturbed. Since the operation of an infrared heater does not involve air convection, there are no drafts in the heated room. The devices do an excellent job of maintaining a microclimate in which mold and mildew do not form.

In addition, infrared devices contribute to protecting the ecology of the planet - they do not create toxic emissions, convert energy with maximum efficiency and use electricity very sparingly. This type of heating will definitely be appreciated by people who do not want to pollute the planet with harmful emissions generated as a result of the operation of liquid fuel boilers and gas burners.

Among the positive aspects, it is worth noting the security of the devices. The surface of the devices does not heat up more than 45 degrees during operation, so the risk of fires as a result of careless operation of the devices is extremely low.

In addition to the advantages, there are also some negative points that should be taken into account when purchasing infrared heaters. The first disadvantage is related to the high cost of the devices. But you need to understand that the large capital investments required in the initial stages will definitely pay off in the future, because the devices efficiently consume electricity and help save on monthly payments for energy resources. The average payback period for an infrared heating system is 2-3 years.

The impact of heating of this format on human health is also controversial. You should carefully consider the choice of heating devices and pay attention to high-quality, certified models from well-known manufacturers. The system is not suitable for heating large houses, so in private houses it is recommended to use infrared heating in combination with traditional heating methods. There are many advantages that indicate in favor of choosing infrared heating for your home.

Installing devices can be a solution to many problems, such as dry air, the appearance of fungus on the walls, high energy consumption, etc.

At the same time, we should not forget about the disadvantages characteristic of infrared heater systems.

Today, the heating systems market provides many offers for insulating your home using various heaters, including infrared emitters - one of the modern trends in this area.

Such heating systems can be used both main and auxiliary. The peculiarity of radiant heating of housing is the following - local insulation of a certain area of your apartment is possible. This opportunity is especially important for large rooms with high ceilings. Moreover, PLEN allows for high-quality heating of open spaces on the street. This is the only method of insulating open areas that exists today.

These heaters are very economically beneficial, since all the energy directly reaches objects, that is, people, objects, and the achieved positive temperature is not dissipated or absorbed by the air, as in most traditional heating devices. This method of heating an apartment with radiation is classified as direct heating. This is the main difference between radiation heating and traditional types.

Today, heating houses and apartments with infrared heaters is considered the most promising direction in this area. The main benefits and differences from conventional types of heating devices are as follows. The radiators of the central heating system heat the room using heat obtained from the air heated by the heater, which circulates throughout the apartment. For example, the radiators we are used to work exactly like this, and traditional “warm floors,” cable and water, do almost the same thing. That is, the primary heating is the air, due to which a general increase in temperature occurs.

IR plates work differently. Heat is transferred to a person directly from the plates. This radiation has a lower oscillation frequency than light, but it is much more powerful than a microwave.

What are the peculiarities of the fact that the air is not heated by heating devices of this type? The point is this: heated air tends to rise up, cooled air tends to fall down. That is, most of the energy heats the subceiling space. If the ceilings are high, then such energy consumption will be a big waste, especially when it comes to large areas.

But what if there are none at all? For example, open summer areas of cafes, verandas, gazebos. Here the use of traditional forms is excluded. The use of radiant heating makes it possible to create a local heated zone, saving energy.

Infrared heating panels, device

The main operating mechanism here is a radial heater, quite often, from old memory, called a reflector. Its device is quite simple. The heat generated is directed by the reflector in a certain direction. Scattering occurs due to the uneven surface and matte color of the reflector.

Previously, IR heating mechanisms were used as auxiliary to the main heating existing in the house. But, with the development and improvement of these models by manufacturers, it became possible to independently provide heat to all housing. A real revolution in this area occurred when film IR panels appeared, in other words, PLEN (film-beam heating elements). Their implementation happened quickly, and the first reviews from satisfied consumers have already been received.

Infrared heating panels

The use of film-beam heating panels is good and convenient due to their quick installation, installation, ease of use, efficiency and tangible cost-effectiveness. Film-beam heating panels allow you to evenly distribute the temperature over the entire area of any residential or industrial facility.

The best place to install a film heater is the ceiling. Why this place and not the walls? Firstly, the walls have a smaller area and are usually covered with furniture. If paintings or other decorative objects hang on them, then proximity to a heating device may not have the best effect on them.

Floors are also suitable for these purposes and can be used to install film-beam heating elements at home in the indicated way, but more on that below.
To install infrared film heating of houses and apartments, you can do without complex calculations; it is enough to know the general parameters of the ceilings; according to them, the required square footage of the film is determined. The film has properties when When the optimal temperature is reached, the automation automatically turns off the power.

Installation, installation

In order to avoid moisture and maintain the temperature, a thermo-waterproofing gasket should be laid before installation. This function is well performed by isopon-foil polyethylene foam. This is done as follows. Wooden blocks, logs, are mounted on an insulated ceiling. The free spaces between the joists are filled with insulation. All this is covered with isopon and secured with a construction stapler.

This design ensures that the desired temperature is maintained. Film-beam heating elements are strengthened with a stapler. The final stage is connecting the 220V power supply, installing a temperature sensor and a control unit with load balancing and a regulator. A decorative coating is mounted on top of the installed system, allowing the rays to pass through freely.

Infrared floor heating

The healing effect of infrared rays on living organisms has long been known. It is widely and successfully used in medicine. The operation of such a floor has a positive effect on the human condition, since its infrared radiation ionizes the atmosphere of the rooms.

Properly installed heated floors save on heat costs, since it can only be installed where heating is required. Installing a warm radiant floor is much simpler and faster; there is no costly preparatory work as with water or cable heating. In both cases, the involvement of qualified specialists and a lot of preparatory work are required, costing considerable financial costs. While in the case of film-beam heating elements, it is quite possible to install everything yourself, and completely free of charge.

Thus, by installing warm infrared floors, you get the following benefits:

Low cost. The material is sold in rolls; you can buy exactly as many as you need for your area. In addition, savings come from installing the floor yourself. One or two sets of warm floor panels are enough for the entire area of the house, and it can also be divided into parts. In general, for normal insulation of a house, covering 70-80% of the area is enough, locally, where it is necessary.
Energy saving. The installed thermostat can set the necessary parameters, saving energy
Simplicity and speed of installation. No specialists required. Everything is done independently, following simple instructions within 2-3 hours. You can use it immediately after installation.
An important factor is health. Infrared radiation has long been widely used in traditional medicine and is an officially recognized means of treatment. Due to IR radiation, negatively charged ions are activated, and this has a positive effect on health. Unlike central or stove heating, the operation of infrared floors does not cause dust circulation in the premises, which often causes allergies and other problems with the human respiratory tract
Versatility. PLEN can install any material, including carpet and ceramic tiles. The exception is concrete screed.

Thus, having installed a floor and ceiling heating system, infrared heating of the house can be considered complete. The infrared heating system, in addition to comfort and warmth in your home, due to its specific properties, will give you considerable savings and will be beneficial for your health. That is, heating with infrared heaters has benefits from all sides.

Infrared (radiation) heating is, as you might guess, a heating system in which heat is transferred not using a coolant, not through the air of the room, but by infrared radiation. Infrared heating systems are one of the most promising areas for the development of heating systems.

What are their main differences from traditional systems, and what benefits can they provide?

The operation of almost all existing heating systems is aimed at heating the air. Radiators give off the heat of the coolant circulating through them to the air, “warm floor” systems heat the air through a heated floor covering, air heating is initially aimed at ensuring the circulation of heated air throughout the room.

Radiant heating uses a fundamentally different approach: heat is transferred to people and objects, bypassing the air.

Air heating is of a secondary, collateral nature. Infrared radiation is used to transfer heat. Infrared radiation is electromagnetic radiation that has a lower frequency than visible light but higher frequency than microwaves, which are used in microwave ovens.

Infrared radiation is just one way of transmitting the energy of molecular movement, which we perceive as heat.

A very convenient method, since infrared radiation practically does not interact with air, that is, it does not lose energy by heating it, but it perfectly transfers energy to solids and liquids. The air itself is heated a second time; heat is transferred to it by surfaces heated by infrared radiation. Therefore, the temperature near the ground is always higher than at altitude: the infrared radiation of the Sun passes through the earth’s atmosphere without stopping. The air is heated again from the surface of the Earth and (especially) the Ocean.

Benefits of infrared heating

What's good about the fact that infrared radiation does not heat the air? The physical properties of gas (which is air) are such that a gas with a higher temperature tends to rise up, and a colder one tends to go down. Thus, it turns out that a significant part of the heater’s energy is spent on heating the under-ceiling space. This is not so critical with a standard ceiling height of two and a half meters (although, even in this case, heating payments take up a significant part of utility bills). But with a ceiling height of three to four meters or more (for example, in a store’s sales area, a cafe or exhibition center, etc.), the losses for “ceiling heating” will become more than significant.

What if there is no ceiling at all? In this case, with the help of any traditional heating system we will “heat the street”; losses from such “heating” will become completely unacceptable. Infrared heating is the only way to heat open spaces where lighting an open fire is prohibited: verandas, summer areas, gazebos, etc.

In addition, when using traditional heating systems for an apartment or private house, it is almost impossible to achieve the effect without warming up all the air in the room, while radiant heating allows you to create a local heat zone without warming up the entire room.

Installation of infrared heating systems

In principle, an infrared heater is designed quite simply: the heat created, depending on the type, by an electric heater, burning gas or diesel fuel is directed using a reflector in a given direction. To scatter radiation, the reflector is usually made matte or equipped with artificial bumps.

Infrared heaters can be mobile (mobile) or stationary (fixed).

Infrared heaters have typically been used to create localized heat zones and as an auxiliary heating system to supplement the home's existing heating system. But relatively recently, a way has emerged to make an infrared heating system the main source of heat in an apartment or private house. A revolution in infrared heating was made by the introduction of so-called film systems, which have already earned the most flattering reviews.

Film infrared heating

Film-beam heating elements (PLEN) are easy to install and use, lightweight, economical, and effective. The use of film heating elements allows you to evenly distribute the heat source over the area of an apartment or private house.

The most appropriate place for installing a film electric heater is the ceiling of the room. The fact is that walls, as a rule, have a smaller area and can be covered with furniture. For paintings and various decorative elements hanging on the walls, close proximity to film heaters can also be disastrous. The floor is also not suitable, since the floor covering is often impermeable or poorly permeable to radiant heat.

The film infrared heating system of a private house does not require complex calculations; the number of infrared radiation elements is selected in accordance with the ceiling area of the heated room; the automation itself will turn off the power when the required temperature is reached. Heating speed is one of the main advantages of infrared systems.

You can preliminary estimate the cost of electricity to power an infrared heating system (at prices of 3 rubles per kW) using the table:

Before installing the heating system of a private house, it is necessary to lay a layer of thermal and waterproofing, which will help avoid heat loss and moisture condensation.

Logs are installed on the insulated ceiling - wooden blocks or a U-shaped profile. The space between the joists is filled with insulation, for example, polystyrene foam or mineral wool. The insulation is covered with another layer of isolon on top, which is secured with a construction stapler. Such a multilayer structure will guarantee that the heat will remain inside the room.

PLEN elements are installed, which can also be strengthened with a stapler or aluminum tape. 220V power is connected, a temperature sensor and a control unit are installed - a regulator and an automatic load balancing system. On top of the infrared film heating system of a private house, you can install any facing coating that is permeable to infrared rays.

Equipping your house or apartment with a promising infrared heating system will help you not only achieve a comfortable temperature during the cold season, but also save significantly.

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Those using infrared radiation have become especially popular today. Modern models are based on energy-saving technologies. Having carefully studied the pros, cons and price of infrared heaters, we can say with confidence that these devices are an excellent source of additional heating and may well act as the only source of heat in the house.

IR heating devices will create a comfortable room temperature

According to experts, it is an effective, durable and reliable means of heating.

The principle of operation of infrared waves and the equipment of the device

IR heating devices convert electrical energy into heat using heating. Infrared heat rays heat objects and living organisms.

Helpful information! Traditional heating systems spend almost all energy heating the air space of the room.

Objects heated by infrared radiation give off heat to the air. That is why heat loss during infrared heating is minimal.

The total surface of all objects in the room is much larger than, for example, the surface of a traditional battery. In this regard, IR irradiation heats the room four times faster. At the same time, the temperature difference between the ceiling and floor is minimal.

The infrared heating device consists of:

a housing having a control unit and a cord for connecting to a power source;
cylindrical or parabolic reflector;
protective mesh made of metal or transparent partition.

Types and types of devices

IR devices for heating a home are divided into types according to the principle:

energy uses are divided into electric, gas and diesel;
wave type - there are short-wave and long-wave;
mounting location - can be ceiling, floor, wall, mobile.

Infrared heaters: pros and cons, price

When choosing infrared heating devices for your home, you should consider the advantages and disadvantages of this type of heating.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of an infrared heating system:

Disadvantages of IR heating devices:

Prices and manufacturers

Before considering the list of the most popular models, it is worthwhile to dwell separately on one type of infrared heating devices - gas. This relatively new technology makes it possible to increase the efficiency of conventional room heating using liquefied gas several times. These devices quickly heat the room and do not depend on the supply of electricity. Compact models can even operate on small gas cartridges. These are the pros and cons of infrared gas heaters. The price for such devices is very affordable and starts from 520 rubles for a small device that can heat, for example, a garden gazebo with an area of 40 square meters.

Table 1. The most popular models of infrared heaters according to user surveys

How to choose infrared heaters

When deciding which one to choose for heating a house or apartment, you should pay attention to the type of heating element of the device. They come in three types:

quartz;
metal;
ceramic.

Helpful information! It is not advisable to install halogen infrared heating devices in residential areas. They emit infrared waves in a short range, which can negatively affect a person’s well-being.

Quartz heating elements consist of a carbon spiral. Devices with such a heating element heat up quickly and have a high efficiency. Their disadvantage is their relatively short service life, about two to three years. In addition, they consume a lot of electricity and glow in the dark.

Ceramic heaters are more expensive, but last almost twice as long as quartz heaters. They consume from 50 kilowatts of energy and are considered one of the most economical heating elements.

Heaters based on micathermic metal elements are reliable and durable. During operation, they crackle a little, but otherwise have only positive reviews from users.

Pros and cons, the price of infrared heaters are not all aspects that are important for choosing a suitable device. You should pay attention to several more features of the infrared device:

Thickness of the anodizing layer on the heating element. A layer of less than twenty-five microns will lead to rapid failure of the device.
Appliances with a ferrous metal heating element cannot be used in the bathroom or kitchen.
The foil in the device must have a thickness of at least one hundred and twenty microns. To check, you can press on it with the shaft of a regular pen. The foil should not be deformed.
To heat ten square meters of space, at least one thousand watts of device power will be required. It is better to buy a device with a power reserve.