Infrared heaters are gaining popularity for their unique heating method. Understanding how they operate can help you choose the right heating solution for your needs.
Do Infrared Heaters Warm the Air or Objects?
Infrared heaters primarily warm objects directly, not the air. They emit electromagnetic radiation that heats surfaces like floors, walls, and furniture, which then transfer warmth to the surrounding air.
This process is similar to how sunlight warms your skin and the objects around you without heating the air first. Infrared radiation travels in straight lines and is absorbed by solid surfaces, raising their temperature quickly.
Because the air itself does not absorb infrared radiation well, the air temperature near the heater stays cooler initially. However, once objects and surfaces heat up, they release heat into the air, gradually warming the room indirectly.
Infrared heaters are more effective at keeping you warm than fan heaters when you want immediate, focused heat. Fan heaters warm the air, which can feel slower and less direct, especially in drafty or large spaces.
| Infrared Heaters | Fan/Convection Heaters |
|---|---|
| Heat objects directly with radiant energy | Heat air by convection and circulation |
| Provide instant warmth to people and surfaces | Take time to warm the room air evenly |
| Less affected by drafts | Lose heat quickly in drafty spaces |
| Quiet operation with no moving parts | Usually have a fan that produces noise |
Infrared heaters do not only heat objects and ignore the room air. They start by heating surfaces, and the warmed surfaces then heat the air around them. This indirect air warming means the room temperature rises but usually more slowly than with convection heaters.
For spot heating or heating people directly, infrared is the better choice. For whole-room air warming, fan heaters or oil-filled radiators may be more suitable.
Infrared heaters should be placed where their radiant energy can reach the areas or people you want to heat. Objects that block the path reduce effectiveness.
Learn more about how infrared heaters warm objects and not just the air in What Heater Warms Objects, Not Air? Infrared Explained.
How Infrared Heaters Work
Infrared heaters emit electromagnetic radiation in the infrared spectrum. This radiation transfers energy directly to objects, which absorb it and convert it into heat.
Different infrared heaters emit different wavelengths. The wavelength affects how deeply heat penetrates and how the warmth feels to your skin.
Far-infrared heaters produce longer wavelengths that create a gentle, sun-like warmth. This type of infrared heat is less intense and more comfortable for longer use.
Halogen infrared heaters use a halogen bulb to produce shorter wavelength infrared radiation. This results in a brighter glow and more intense, immediate heat, suitable for outdoor or spot heating.
Infrared heating differs from convection heating, which warms air by moving it over a hot surface or element. Infrared heats directly, so it feels warmer faster without needing to heat all the air first.
Understanding these differences helps choose the right heater type for your space and heating needs.
For a detailed look at why infrared heaters feel warmer than air heaters, see Why Infrared Heaters Feel Warmer Than Air Heaters.
Running Costs of Infrared Heaters
Infrared heaters typically use about 1,500 watts on their highest setting, like many electric space heaters. Their running cost depends on how long you use them and your electricity rate.
Calculate the cost by multiplying watts by hours used, dividing by 1,000 to convert to kilowatt-hours, then multiplying by your electricity price per kWh. For example, a 1,500 W infrared heater running 8 hours daily at 17 cents per kWh costs 1,500 ÷ 1,000 × 8 × 0.17 = $2.04 per day.
Infrared heaters are energy efficient in the sense that they convert nearly all consumed electricity into heat. However, they do not use less electricity than other electric heaters with the same wattage.
The savings come from heating objects directly instead of warming all the air in a room. This means you feel warm quickly and can lower the overall thermostat setting, reducing total heating time and energy use.
A typical 1,500 W infrared heater costs about the same to run as a conventional electric heater with the same wattage. To save on energy bills, use infrared heaters in occupied zones and turn them off when you leave the room.
Benefits of Using Infrared Heaters
Infrared heaters provide instant warmth by radiating heat directly to objects and people, making them more effective than fan heaters at quickly warming you. They do not rely on moving air, so they work well even in north-facing rooms where air circulation is limited.
Because infrared heaters do not blow air, they do not circulate dust or allergens. This improves indoor air quality, which benefits people with allergies or respiratory issues.
Infrared heaters excel in drafty or poorly insulated spaces like garages and bathrooms. They warm surfaces and occupants directly, bypassing cold air drafts that reduce the effectiveness of conventional heaters.
- Instant heat felt directly on skin and objects
- Improves indoor air quality by not circulating dust
- Works well in drafty or north-facing rooms
- Heats objects, so unoccupied areas stay cold
- No fan means slower air temperature rise
- Not suitable as the sole heat source in very large spaces
Common Myths About Infrared Heaters
Infrared heaters often spark confusion. One common myth is that they don’t work in well-insulated rooms. Infrared heaters warm objects directly, so insulation doesn’t reduce their effectiveness like it does with convection heaters that warm air. They still deliver heat efficiently regardless of insulation.
Another myth claims infrared heaters are only for spot heating. While they excel at warming people or objects in their direct path, models like the Dr Infrared Heater DR-968 use dual heating systems combining infrared quartz tubes and PTC elements. This allows them to heat larger rooms, not just small spots.
Some believe all infrared heat is the same, but that’s incorrect. Infrared heaters use different elements — quartz, ceramic, or halogen. Halogen heaters glow brightly because their bulbs emit visible light along with infrared radiation. Not all infrared heaters glow; many use elements that produce invisible infrared waves, which still warm objects effectively without visible light.
Infrared heaters do glow if they use halogen bulbs, but many models don’t. The glow comes from the heating element’s temperature, not from the infrared radiation itself. This visible glow is often mistaken as the source of warmth, but the actual heat comes from infrared waves hitting surfaces.
Ideal Applications for Infrared Heaters
Infrared heaters work well in garages, workshops, and outdoor spaces. These areas often lack full insulation or have open-air conditions where warming the air is inefficient. Infrared heaters heat objects and people directly, making them ideal for these environments.
They also perform well in bathrooms and for spot heating in living areas. Bathrooms benefit from quick, direct warmth on surfaces and skin. Spot heating in living rooms is effective when you want to warm a chair or a small area without heating the entire room.
Rooms with high ceilings are another good fit. Infrared waves reach down to people and furniture, unlike warm air that rises and stays near the ceiling. This avoids wasted energy and cold drafts near the floor.
| Application | Why Infrared Heaters Work Well |
|---|---|
| Garages, workshops, outdoor spaces | Heat objects directly in uninsulated or open areas |
| Bathrooms and spot heating | Provide fast, direct warmth to skin and surfaces |
| Rooms with high ceilings | Infrared penetrates down, avoiding heat loss to ceiling |
| Kitchens | Less effective, as heat is absorbed by appliances and air circulation |
Infrared heaters are less effective for kitchens. Cooking appliances and ventilation create air movement that disperses radiant heat. Also, infrared waves get absorbed by surfaces like counters and appliances, reducing comfort. For very cold homes, infrared heaters can supplement other heating but usually aren’t enough alone to maintain overall warmth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do infrared heaters work in large rooms?
Can you use an infrared heater in a bathroom?
How long do infrared heaters last?
Are infrared heaters safe to leave unattended?
Do infrared heaters require maintenance?
What is the difference between halogen and infrared heaters?
The other half of this decision is infrared heaters power efficiency.
It helps to understand halogen vs infrared heater before spending anything.