The advantage of long-wave infrared radiation is that it does not heat transparent objects and air, but directly affects the surfaces of furniture, the floor and walls of the room, and the human body. The efficiency of converting electrical energy into thermal energy in this case is about 80%, while for ordinary ones it can be up to 50% or less, because before heating objects, they first heat the air in the room.
Infrared radiation is considered the most comfortable - it is not accompanied by the movement of heated and cooled air masses, and, consequently, the movement of the smallest dust particles, which are so harmful and dangerous for allergy sufferers. In addition, the rays warm the surface of the skin, accelerating blood circulation, eliminating joint pain and helping with colds. This property of infrared radiation is even used in special saunas. However, it is worth considering underfloor heating and heaters separately.
Infrared heated floors
All the advantages listed above can rather be attributed only to infrared heaters, because the infrared warm floor is laid under the floor covering, it turns out that it directly heats only the glue and the top layer of the coating. In this case, the heat coming from such a floor is no different from the heat generated by other types and types of warm floors that have a different principle of operation. The energy consumption of all these heating systems will also be approximately the same. The most economical floors are still water, powered by a geyser. However, this does not prevent the infrared warm floor from having other advantages.To use underfloor heating more economically, it is necessary to install an automatic thermostat that will help you use electricity more rationally.
The film infrared floor has a relatively low cost. Its installation and installation are quite simple, so any more or less trained person can handle them. Its ultra-thin mats can be installed at any angle, allowing you to heat sloping surfaces and even walls. In addition, they are versatile and can be laid under any floor coverings: carpet, linoleum, parquet, laminate and ceramic tiles.
The infrared floor can be mounted in any place where local heating is required - under the mirror in the bathroom or under the bedding on which the pet sleeps. The undoubted advantages include the fact that this type of underfloor heating is not afraid of mechanical damage, and if any graphite element fails, the load is distributed to the rest, so the heating efficiency remains the same.
The disadvantages of such a floor include the fact that it cannot be mounted under low furniture - beds, armchairs, since there is a danger of overheating.
Infrared heaters
These heaters are not yet often found in the homes of Russians, but judging by the forums and reviews on the Internet, the experience of their operation is positive and they can successfully replace both oil and convector heating systems.
When choosing an infrared heater, please note that in terms of power it must correspond to the area of \u200b\u200bthe heated room. For a room of 30 sq.m, a heater with a power of 2.5 kW is required.
The industry produces ceiling, floor and wall heaters. There are options when the same heater can stand on the floor or be mounted on the wall. You can always choose the best method of installation and fastening suitable for your premises. But, for example, ceiling heaters are not recommended to be installed if the ceiling covering is PVC panels or plates made of other synthetic materials. There is a danger that when heated, they will begin to release harmful substances. In addition, a ceiling heater may not always fit into the interior of a room, especially when it is made in a classic style.
Otherwise, these heaters are really good. Their emitters do not dry the air and there is no specific smell of dust in the room where such a heater works. In the absence of people, you can turn it off completely, because it warms up the room instantly, there is no need to keep it on beforehand. It is more economical in operation, silent. Particularly effective are such heaters installed in places where there are a lot of tiles and ceramic tiles - it is good to install one in the kitchen or in the bathroom.
Infrared heating, the pros and cons of which we will consider today, is one of the most popular ways to heat rooms. Infrared emitters are used as a heat source.
These appliances can be an addition to help a standard steam heating system do its job better, or they can be the main heating element in a home. Infrared heaters can be used for heating both residential buildings and offices, and so on.
The principle of operation of infrared heating
You need to know the principle of operation of such heaters in order to decide exactly whether it is worth using infrared heating in your home. The pros and cons, the price of which is comfort in the cold season, should be clear to you. By the way, the cost of such systems is about 500 rubles per 1 square meter or 5 thousand rubles per 1 heater.
The heat emitted by the IR source is transferred to the surface of all objects surrounding it. It heats the floor, walls, furniture, and everything in the interior.
When heated, these objects make the air warm, because infrared light does not heat it itself. The heat that such a heater generates is not absorbed by the air (which is characterized by rather poor thermal conductivity), so the surfaces get enough heat. This allows you to achieve 70% energy savings, as the manufacturers of such equipment assure.
Many users consider this statement to be very exaggerated.
House heating
Such heating systems are becoming increasingly popular in private sectors. With their help, you can heat not only the entire room, but also certain sections of it, which allows you to save on heating the area where no one is.
Ceiling infrared heating systems are a good solution for efficient heating of a small room. Installing heaters on the ceiling allows them to distribute heat to all surfaces of objects in the room and, importantly, to heat the floors well.
Depending on the height of the ceiling, the devices are fixed at a distance of 2.5-3.5 meters from the floor. Manufacturers recommend placing them not directly above the places where people stay, but a little to the side.
If you mount devices on PVC ceilings or near windows, then a lot of heat will be wasted.
In addition to ceiling heaters, private houses can be heated, which are also called film heaters. This one is remarkable in that it can be laid under many types of flooring. Among them are parquet, laminate, tile and even linoleum.
Varieties of infrared heaters
There are only two main varieties of all devices that provide infrared heating. The pros and cons for consumer health, energy savings and other indicators for these sources are about the same.
The first type of devices is all kinds. The second type includes all film heaters.
This separation is due to the scope of these systems. Both types of devices can be used for ceiling mounting, and only heaters are suitable for making underfloor heating.
plinth
Heat emitters are implemented in the form of skirting boards. The plinth, which is always located around the entire perimeter of the room, can heat all the objects that fall into its field of action, and in this field there is everything that is in the room.
Along the walls there is something like an obstacle of heat, which is difficult to overcome by the cold coming from the walls. So in the room you can easily create the desired temperature regime.
Mold will never spread to the corners and walls if you install plinth infrared heating. Pros and cons, its benefits are obvious.
With the help of the length of the plinth, sufficient heater power is achieved. Inside the skirting board there are heat-accumulating elements made of natural materials. This helps him to accumulate heat.
floors
So, you can choose ceiling, wall or floor infrared heaters. The pros and cons in choosing depend on the individual characteristics of the room for which heaters are purchased, but basically they are the same for all devices of this type.
Floors come in power from 15 to 55 watts per square meter.
If we talk about the field, then the fundamental difference from other options is that the heat rises up, which means it will pass through the entire room. Infrared radiators heat up the floor covering, which, in turn, heats the air. It rises up, giving way to the cold. Thanks to this natural circulation, a comfortable temperature regime is quickly established in the room.
In addition, it is pleasant to walk on a warm floor, and when the legs are warm, it is warmer in general.
Part of the infrared radiation passes through the floor covering. It heats the surfaces of objects in the room.
pros
Infrared heating, the pros and cons of which are described in this article, are able to heat the room in the shortest possible time. Even critics of this heating method agree with this.
Unlike other radiators, they do not burn oxygen in the air, do not make the air dry.
Devices work absolutely silently. The room gets warmer immediately after the appliances are turned on.
Power surges are not fatal for such devices. This is important if they heat a country cottage or cottage.
Installation of such systems is very simple, which is also a plus. You can do everything yourself, without resorting to the services of builders.
Minuses
It is not enough to consider only the positive qualities that infrared heating has. There are pluses and minuses for everything in the world, it is only important to understand whether the negative qualities of the devices are tolerable in your case or not.
And these qualities are:
- It is not always easy to fit ceiling heaters into the style of the room, especially if the interior is made in one of the classic styles.
- It is not always possible to correctly organize the heating system with infrared emitters, which is why the declared energy savings of 70% are not achieved.
- Heaters transfer heat only to surfaces. Therefore, if you stand with your back to them, it can remain in the cold. The problem goes away when air is heated from the surfaces of objects.
- Nearby surfaces become very hot. The paper may turn yellow in the office, the smell of plastic may appear.
Infrared heating systems
Of all the options for electric heating, infrared heating is considered the most effective. This method radically changes the traditional idea of zoning the temperature in the room. The heater installed in the room generates a stream of directional thermal radiation, which propagates in the zone of its action. Infrared heating has a peculiarity - the rays cannot heat the air. They transfer their potential to the surfaces in the room.
Technological solutions
The basis of the technology is the possibility of transferring thermal energy over a distance by means of infrared (IR) radiation. Compared to convection, this method of heat transfer is much more efficient. Every person who had to sit near a fire or fireplace in the evening could experience the effect of IR radiation. The same principle underlies many household appliances:
- High temperature infrared heaters. The heat comes from the spiral, which is enclosed in a glass tube. The radiation is directed by a reflector made of foil material. The average power of devices reaches 3 kW, so it is very difficult to call them economical.
- Low temperature heaters. They can implement a variety of technical solutions. They are a panel that heats up to a temperature of 50-85 degrees Celsius.
- Film heater. On both sides of the flexible base there are current-carrying bars. Between them is a conductor with high resistance. It is he who is the source of thermal energy.
By the way, IR emitters should not be taken as an achievement of modern high-precision technologies. They have been known to consumers since the days of the Soviet Union. At that time, similar devices were produced and sold in a retail network under the name "reflector heater".
Advantages and disadvantages
Heating with infrared heaters has become popular due to a solid list of their advantages:
- The equipment does not require the allocation of a large area. Most devices are mobile and easy to move around the room. Stationary options are made in the form of film coatings and are mounted on a wall or ceiling.
- IR systems are effective in buildings with poor insulation and high ceilings. They are successfully used in open areas.
- The use of infrared heaters allows you to abandon the costly heat supply lines. Not only their installation is not required, but also maintenance, as well as the elimination of leaks or air pockets. Infrared heating does not require the installation of boilers, laying pipes, organizing storage facilities for fuel.
- In the event of an emergency power outage, the heaters automatically restore their operation without human intervention after the restoration of power supply.
- The structures are equipped with automatic thermoregulation systems. They work with high accuracy in a wide temperature range - from 5 to 30 degrees Celsius.
- The systems are characterized by a long service life - 20-25 years.
- IK emitters can be used as the main or additional heating.
Of the shortcomings, the relatively high cost of this type of heating should be highlighted. IR emitters are more expensive than gas, liquid or solid fuel heat generators. Therefore, it is too early to talk about their mass use as the main source of heat.
Implementation Options
Warm floor
Film infrared heating
The system is implemented using film materials that are laid on a foil coating. It is necessary to reflect all the heat into the room and prevent (or minimize) unproductive losses. Thermal energy is quickly transferred to the upper hemisphere and flooring. And from the surface of the base, air begins to warm up.
A very important advantage of "warm floors" is the absence of a large temperature difference with a change in height. With the convective heating method, most of the heat energy is collected in the upper layers and is lost through the ceiling. Lower heating contributes to the uniform distribution of heat throughout the room. As a result, losses are kept to a minimum.
Ceiling and wall
Calling warm floors one of the options for infrared heating can be very arbitrary, since most of the heat is distributed according to the usual convection pattern. But wall or ceiling infrared heating is a classic option. Film heaters mounted on these surfaces will transfer the generated heat exclusively in the form of radiation.
IR devices are located in such a way as to cover the maximum space of the room with their beams. Their rays heat the floor and other surfaces, the heat from which is already transferred to the air masses. At the same time, most of the energy goes to people and objects that are in the area of the installation.
Due to its characteristics, today infrared heating is actively used in industrial, warehouse and other premises with high ceilings. It is unrealistic to heat them in traditional ways, but it is quite possible to create comfortable conditions with the help of IR emitters. The units successfully compete with air heating schemes and allow companies to reduce costs during the cold season.
Infrared (radiant) heating is, as you might guess, a heating system in which heat is transferred not with the help of 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 advantages can they provide?
The work 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 the heated floor covering, air heating is initially aimed at ensuring the circulation of heated air around the room.
In radiant heating, a fundamentally different approach is used: heat is transferred to people and objects, bypassing the air. Air heating is secondary, side character. Used to transfer heat infrared radiation. Infrared radiation is electromagnetic radiation that has a lower frequency than visible light, but higher than the microwaves used in microwave ovens.
Sometimes you can hear the statement "infrared radiation is heat." Such a statement is erroneous, heat or heat is a change in the internal molecular-kinetic energy of the system. For example, if we give additional energy to the water in the pan (put it on the stove), the random (Brownian) movement of water molecules will accelerate, the numerical expression of this process will be an increase in the temperature of the water.
Since the energy is like a liquid in matching vessels and tends to a common, average level, the water in the pan, which has more energy than the surrounding air, begins to give energy to the latter, forcing the air molecules to move faster too - the air temperature rises. If we stop the flow of energy from the outside (turn off the stove), heat exchange will continue until the water in the pan and the air reach the same temperature.
Infrared radiation is just one of the ways to transfer the energy of the movement of molecules, which is perceived by us as heat. A very convenient method, since infrared radiation practically does not interact with air, that is, it does not lose energy to heat 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 earth is always higher than at a height: the infrared radiation of the Sun passes through the earth's atmosphere without stopping. The air is heated a second time from the surface of the Earth and (especially) the Ocean.
Advantages of infrared heating
What good is it that infrared radiation does not heat the air? The physical properties of the gas (which is air) are such that the gas that has a higher temperature tends to rise up, and the colder one tends to go down. Thus, it turns out that a significant part of the heater's energy is spent on heating the subceiling space. This is not so critical with a standard ceiling height of two and a half meters (although, even in this case, paying for heating takes up a significant part of utility bills). But with a ceiling height of three to four meters or more (for example, in the trading floor of a store, a cafe or an exhibition center, etc.), the losses for “ceiling heating” will become more than significant.
But what if there is no ceiling ... at all? In this case, with the help of any traditional heating system, we will “heat the street”, the losses from such “heating” will become completely unacceptable. Infrared heating is the only way to heat open spaces where open fire is unacceptable: verandas, summer playgrounds, gazebos, etc.
In addition, when using traditional heating systems for an apartment or a private house, it is almost impossible to achieve an 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 whole room.
The device of infrared heating systems
The heart of an infrared-beam heating system is an infrared heater, which is often called a reflector. The name has remained since the days when the reflectors of old models of heaters with a round-concave shape resembled reflector antennas of radar antennas.
In principle, an infrared heater is quite simple: the heat generated, 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 supplied with artificial irregularities.
Infrared heaters can be mobile (mobile) or stationary (fixed).
Infrared heaters have typically been used to create local heat zones and as an auxiliary heating system to supplement existing home heating. But relatively recently, a way has appeared to make the infrared heating system the main source of heat in an apartment or private house. The revolution in infrared heating was made by the introduction of the 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, light, economical, and efficient. The use of film heating elements allows you to evenly distribute the heat source over the area of \u200b\u200ban apartment or private house.
The most appropriate place for mounting a film electric heater is the ceiling of the room. The fact is that the walls, as a rule, have a smaller area and can be covered with furniture. For paintings hanging on the walls and various decorative elements, close proximity to film heaters can also be disastrous. The floor is also unsuitable, as 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 area of \u200b\u200bthe ceiling of the heated room, the automation itself will turn off the power when the required temperature is reached. Fast heating is one of the main advantages of infrared systems.
You can preliminarily estimate the cost of electricity to power an infrared heating system (at prices of 3 rubles per kW) using the table:
Before starting the installation of the heating system of a private house, it is necessary to lay a layer of thermal and waterproofing, which will help to avoid heat loss and moisture condensation. With both tasks (hydro and thermal insulation), the isolon material - foil polyethylene foam - does an excellent job.
Logs are installed on the insulated ceiling - wooden bars or a U-shaped profile. The space between the lags is filled with insulation, for example, foam or mineral wool. From above, the insulation is covered with another layer of isolon, which is attached with a construction stapler. Such a multi-layer construction will guarantee that the heat remains 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 mounted - a regulator and an automatic load balancing system. On top of the film infrared heating system of a private house, you can install any facing coating that is permeable to infrared rays.
Equipping a house or apartment with a promising infrared heating system will help you not only achieve a comfortable temperature regime in the cold season, but also save a lot.
The use of infrared radiation sources for space heating is a new, modern technology, but not yet sufficiently studied in terms of its use for home heating and the consequences of its long-term exposure to humans. On the one hand, all life on Earth arose and exists thanks to the Sun, the most powerful source of infrared radiation, but on the other hand, a person’s exposure to direct sunlight leads to overheating and to “sun” stroke. Infrared heating is widely discussed on the network, reviews on which are very different. Often there are reviews written by order. They often use information that has nothing to do with reality.
Infrared radiation is absorbed by the Earth's surface, from which the air masses are heated. This principle is used to heat homes, but instead of the Sun, special devices are used that convert the energy of gas or electricity into infrared radiation. The still rare infrared home heating is starting to gain popularity.
Classical heating devices - batteries, radiators, convectors of various types, to one degree or another, are also sources of infrared radiation. But the heating of the room occurs with the help of air heated by the device, which is distributed throughout the room by convection currents. Infrared heating devices, such as an infrared convector, work differently. They emit infrared rays that heat the surrounding objects, the ceiling, walls and furniture, and then they heat the air. This method of heating creates a very uniform heating of the room, in contrast to heating by convection currents.
Devices for infrared heating
In the market of climate technology, a special niche is occupied by devices with which you can easily organize additional or full heating of your home. Among them, the popular infrared ceiling heating, which is often used as additional heating, should be noted. Infrared heating devices are united by a common principle - they all create an infrared energy flow, but there are some differences between them.
To organize heating, you can use infrared:
Infrared convectors
Heating devices of this type provide heating of air due to convection and create a stream of infrared radiation. Popular infrared heating convectors can be used as additional heat sources. The design of the convector is simple - a body, heating elements, a profiled heat exchanger and a ceramic plate on the front of the device. This ceramic plate is a thermal energy emitter.
A thin and neat infrared wall-mounted convector is installed under windows or at the door to cut off cold air by convective flow.
There are various reviews for any infrared convector, a lot of hidden advertising from sellers who order them. If there are links to the site, firms, brands are named, then with a probability of up to 90% we can say that the review is customized.
infrared panels
Unlike infrared convectors, infrared panels can be installed horizontally on any surface. The demand for them is constantly growing due to the unique technical data and consumer characteristics. Today they are the best in terms of efficiency, economy and safety. The design of the panel is a case, inside which a heating element made of carbon black is applied on a dielectric base, which heats up when voltage is applied. On the front side, the panel is covered with a ceramic plate - an infrared heat flux emitter.
Online stores offer infrared heating panels, the price of which is much lower than that of oil and. It depends on the size of the panel, power and manufacturer. On the Internet, they write and advertise a lot of infrared heating panels, reviews of which are different, you need to focus on them extremely carefully.
Infrared heaters
The main structural elements of infrared heaters are the reflector and emitter. Emitters can be carbon, quartz and halogen lamps. The reflector focuses and directs the flow of infrared radiation in the desired direction. Owners who have tried heating with infrared heaters have different reviews, but no one has yet ventured to do heating completely on infrared heaters. They are usually used as an additional source of heat. The heat is felt instantly, and the room warms up slowly and for a long time.
infrared films
Heaters of this type are a flexible film that is easy to install. There are two types of film - low temperature (+27 degrees) and high temperature, which heats up above 27 degrees. Low temperature films can be installed under the laminate to create a warm floor.
The infrared film heater consists of the following components:
From the owners who used infrared film heating, the reviews are different, good and bad. They can be read on the forums, but the recommendations must be approached critically. If you are interested in the question of how much infrared film heating will cost, the price of heating is easily calculated if you know the technical data. Take, for example, an infrared heating film made in South Korea and consider its technical data for calculations:
An elementary calculation shows that for a house with an area of 100 m2, electricity consumption per day, even if we take the minimum average value - 30 W / m2 x 24 x 100 m2 \u003d 72000 W / h \u003d 72 kW / h. Whether it's beneficial or not is up to the owner.
Heating PLEN
There are several alternative, exotic for the majority of the population, heating systems. This cohort also includes the modern high-tech system of infrared radiation PLEN. The recently appeared heating plan has the highest performance in almost all criteria. What lies behind the abbreviation PLEN? This is an abbreviated name, and it is displayed in full as "film radiant electric heater."
For the plan heating system, several Russian companies located in the Urals, Siberia, Moscow and St. Petersburg produce film heaters. The cost of Russian film heaters is much lower than foreign analogues.
During installation, they are installed on the ceilings and heat the floor and interior details.
All heated surfaces in turn heat the air and create a uniform, comfortable indoor climate. For automatic temperature control. The efficiency of the system does not depend on the height of the ceilings. The mass introduction of such a modern, convenient and comfortable system as heating is limited by the price of electricity, which determines the cost of heating. These costs are currently much higher than the cost of gas or solid fuel heating.
The network is actively discussing the infrared film heating of a private house, the reviews are mostly wary, because the matter is new, unexplored. Few have made the system a reality. Some users refer to the experience of Finland, in which they personally saw the operation of a film heating system. They praise it, but whether this system will take root in our country is the main question. Electricity is constantly becoming more expensive, which is one of the obstacles to the introduction of the PLEN heating system. Infrared ceiling heating used is not bad, if this heating is additional, and it is turned on occasionally, for quick warming up or in severe frosts.
Gas infrared heating
For large rooms in which it is difficult to heat a huge amount of air, infrared heating gas equipment is used, while it is a mixing chamber with a ceramic plate. The gas-air mixture burns in numerous channels of the ceramic plate and heats it up to 900 degrees. The ceramic plate becomes an emitter of an infrared energy flow. Such systems have found application in industrial premises.
At home, gas infrared heating is usually used as an addition to existing heating, for quick and efficient heating of the room. The reviews for gas infrared heating at home are numerous and good. Of the shortcomings, noise is noted, but such a disadvantage is considered insignificant. The main thing is that it heats up quickly, and in severe frosts it is better to use it as an additional source of heat. Often used in small shops and cafes, but requires compliance with fire safety standards.
Infrared heating of a residential building: pros and cons
The use of various systems and infrared heaters is actively discussed by the owners of houses, summer cottages and cottages. Many on the Internet are interested in infrared heating reviews of the owners and their questions revolve mainly around one topic - is it profitable or not profitable. Another topic is whether such heating can provide good heating at an acceptable cost.
The infrared heating system has a number of undoubted advantages:
Disadvantages of infrared heating systems. If we take the minimum and calculate the cost of electricity for a house of 100 m2 and the required power of 0.03 kW / m2, we get 72 kW / h per day. What if in a month? And all this is multiplied by the price of electricity? But if there are no other alternatives, for example, there is no natural gas, then you need to carefully calculate what is more profitable infrared heating or a solid fuel boiler and how long this equipment will pay off.