Content
- 1 Classification of IR heaters
- 2 Film IR heaters
- 3 Types of thermostats, connection and principle of their operation
- 4 Summing up the selection of an IR heater for a summer residence
A traditional heating system for a country house is not always appropriate. The boiler will have to be kept on constantly, even when the owners are not at the dacha, so that the water in the radiators does not freeze. This is very unprofitable and dangerous. Infrared heaters with a thermostat for your dacha will help you save on heating, quickly heating the room before the owners arrive.
Classification of IR heaters
Let's not go into details of the general advantages and disadvantages of IR heaters, since these indicators are present in any device. Now we will try to consider all types of infrared heaters, and let the user decide for himself what suits him best.
Difference between models by location
It would probably be right to start reviewing the differences between IR heaters based on their installation location. This will help the summer resident decide on the choice of a suitable model.
Floor models
The convenience of using floor infrared heaters is due to the free choice of their installation location. The device can be placed at will in any part of the room. Many floor-standing models run on liquefied gas, which eliminates their connection to the electrical network.
The use of floor models has several features:
- The floor-mounted device has a high efficiency of up to 99%. Many models use bottled propane-butane gas as fuel. The low cost of gas determines the efficiency of heating, plus its mobility. The cylinder with the heater can be moved to any desired location.
- Floor-standing models are equipped with sensors. The device can turn itself off if it tips over or if there is a lack of oxygen in the room.
Despite the shutdown sensors, you need to know that during operation the device burns oxygen heavily. While the sensor has time to operate, low oxygen levels will negatively affect a person’s well-being. In the room where the heater is used, it is necessary to take care of ventilation.
Wall-mounted models
In appearance, wall-mounted infrared heaters are nothing more than traditional radiators. The only difference is that the radiator is tied to the heating system and is installed at a certain height from the floor, while the IR heater can be mounted on any part of the wall.
Let's look at the features of IR wall heaters:
- The modern design of the models will not spoil the interior of any room. The installation of the device is not affected by the ceiling height.In large rooms, heaters are installed around the entire perimeter of the building and always under the windows.
- To secure the device to the wall, you only need a few screws and dowels. Installation is accessible to any inexperienced person.
Wall-mounted models are considered safe, since there is no possibility of accidental human contact with the heating element.
Ceiling IR heaters
The most popular infrared heaters with a thermostat for summer cottages are considered to be ceiling mounted. It is enough to fix the heating panel to the ceiling, and it will not disturb anyone.
Ceiling IR heaters have their own characteristics:
- The best heating effect is achieved in rooms with high ceilings. The radiated heat spreads throughout all areas of the room. In a house with low ceilings, the effectiveness of ceiling models will be low and it is better to abandon them.
- Ceiling heaters are just as easy to install as wall-mounted models. Fastening is carried out with the same self-tapping screws and dowels.
- Fixed to the ceiling, the device can always be adjusted at your discretion for better heat dissipation throughout the room.
Many ceiling heaters can be controlled remotely. This increases the comfort of their use.
Differences in radiation range and type of energy carrier
Infrared heaters have 3 groups of differences in the length of the emitted wave:
- The emission range of short-wave models is in the range of 0.74–2.5 microns. Such heaters are considered the most powerful. They are not used in residential premises or even shops. The devices are designed for heating of large industrial buildings and train stations.
- The radiation of medium-wave models has a range of 2.5–50 microns. These devices are successfully used in all residential areas.
- Long-wave radiation from a heater is considered the safest. The wave range of 50–1 thousand microns has a beneficial effect on humans. Such models are recommended for children's institutions and hospitals.
All infrared heaters operate from a specific energy carrier, which divides them into separate groups:
- Diesel appliances They work by burning liquid fuel, in this case diesel fuel. For safety reasons, such models cannot be used to heat a dacha, and there is no need for an unpleasant smell in the house.
- Gas infrared heaters operate from natural or liquefied propane-butane gas pumped into a cylinder. It is possible to heat a residential building with an appliance, but it is not safe. Constant monitoring of the operation of the heater and provision of fresh air are required. For country use, it is better to exclude this option.
- Devices powered by electricity, are the most common. They consist of an infrared emitter and a heat reflector. For a summer residence, this is the most profitable and sure choice.
Based on the differences discussed, we can conclude that medium- and long-wave infrared models powered by electricity are suitable for summer cottages.
Difference between electric heaters by type of heating element
All electric infrared heaters are equipped with a heating element. It is from this that the heat comes, spreading throughout the room.
Tungsten filament
The most common heating element material is tungsten. Spirals made of this metal are used in all old heaters, primitive electric furnaces, etc. In infrared heaters, a tungsten filament is enclosed in a glass tube with a vacuum. Sometimes, instead of a vacuum, a mixture of gases is pumped into the tube. This heating element is called halogen. During operation, the spiral heats up to 2 thousand.0C. The disadvantage of the heater is the strong brightness of the emitted short waves during operation.
Carbon fiber heater
Carbon fiber is used to make a carbon fiber spiral. The principle of operation of the heater is the same as in the case of a tungsten filament, only in this case long waves are emitted. The carbon fiber coil is enclosed in a glass tube with a vacuum. The heater efficiency is 95%. The disadvantage of the heater is its high cost and weak structural strength.
Tubular heating elements
The design of the heating element is reminiscent of the already discussed heating elements made of tungsten and carbon fiber. The only difference is that the heating element coil is enclosed not in a glass tube, but in an aluminum tube. In infrared heaters, several heating elements are usually installed on an aluminum plate with a maximum heating temperature of 300OC. The design of the heater on heating elements is considered durable.The only negative is the slight crackling of the element when heated.
Ceramic heater
The heater design consists of a spiral that heats a ceramic panel. The top of the ceramics is treated with a special glaze coating. The efficiency of a ceramic heater is at least 80%.
Micathermic heater
The working element of a micathermic heater is plates made of a special alloy treated with mica. When an electric current passes through them, infrared waves are emitted. The plates heat up to a maximum of 60OC, which eliminates the possibility of getting a burn when touching them. Heaters with micathermic heaters have a modern design. Their disadvantage is their high cost and low efficiency, amounting to a maximum of 80%.
Film IR heaters
Infrared film heaters can be an excellent option for heating a living space. They can be laid on the floor or ceiling of the room.
Floor heating film
The film serves as a source of IR radiation. It is laid directly under the floor covering. To ensure that the radiated heat is directed only towards the room, a heat insulator - isolon - is placed under the film. The thermostat controls the operation of the film. The result is a kind of “warm floor” system, fireproof and very beneficial for a summer residence.
Film for heating ceilings (PLEN)
The principle of operation of the PLET ceiling film is the same as for the floor. It is mounted on a rough ceiling with a backing of the same isolon. The film is connected to the electrical network via a thermostat. Maximum heating temperature – 50OWITH.It is effective to use PLET together with floor film, however, the initial costs for its purchase are quite significant.
Types of thermostats, connection and principle of their operation
The thermostat is responsible for the operating modes of the heater, that is, it regulates its heating temperature. There is another name for a thermostat - thermostat. The principle of operation of the thermostat is to capture the ambient air temperature with a sensor. Based on the specified parameters, the sensor sends a signal to the electronic circuit, which is responsible for supplying or turning off the voltage going to the heating element of the infrared heater.
Some models of IR heaters come with built-in thermostats. If they are not there, you will have to install them yourself.
Thermostats are selected according to the heating temperature of the heaters, and they are:
- high temperature – 300-1200OWITH;
- medium temperature – 60-500OWITH;
- low temperature – up to 60OWITH.
There are 2 types of thermostats:
- Mechanical devices are designed for manually setting the temperature on the scale by turning a lever or pressing a button. The advantage of a thermostat is low cost, the disadvantage is that it is impossible to set the exact temperature.
- Electronic models more accurate. They have a programming function. Changing operating modes is done on the touch display or using buttons. The disadvantage of electronic thermostats is their high cost and complexity of control.
When connecting a thermostat, several rules are followed:
- maximum height of the thermostat from the floor – 1.5 m;
- to obtain accurate readings, a heat insulator must be placed under the thermostat mounted on the wall;
- Only 1 heater can be connected to the thermostat;
- it is necessary to adhere to the correspondence between the power of the thermostat and the heater;
- The installed thermostat should not be touched by any objects.
Depending on the installation method, thermostats are of hidden and open types. The connection diagram is shown in the photo.
The video talks about UFO IR heaters:
Summing up the selection of an IR heater for a summer residence
To what we have already considered, it remains to add that for economical heating of a dacha, you will definitely need a device with a thermostat. The answer to the question of how to choose an infrared heater for a summer house will first of all be determining the location of its installation. If there is gas at your summer cottage, then for heating the veranda, terrace and other similar ventilated rooms it is advisable to give preference to gas infrared devices. Only electric models are definitely suitable for residential premises. Which one to choose depends on the preferences of the owner and his funds.
When installing infrared heaters for your dacha yourself, you need to take into account one rule: the thermostat should not fall into the field of infrared radiation and the sun’s rays should not fall on it. And our advice and recommendations from sellers of electrical goods will help you choose the right device.
