How much electricity does an infrared heater consume?

Very often in residential areas you can find an infrared heater (IR device). People prefer this type of heaters because they are convenient to use and beneficial in heating the room. With such equipment it is not only comfortable, but also economical. The device works on the principle of transferring heat from the point of radiation of high temperatures to bodies with a low temperature using infrared waves. In this case, the surface quickly heats up.

How much electricity does an infrared heater consume?

After objects reach their temperature, they return 30% of the heat to unheated air, while simultaneously keeping electrical energy consumption to a minimum.

IR equipment distributes its electromagnetic rays to the surface of the interior of the room. At the same time, the room is heated from the surface of the walls and household items. The IR heater works on the principle of penetration of sunlight.

Advice! The IR heater should be aimed at interior items. This will help save heat and not let it out.It is not recommended to point it at doors and windows.

Electrical energy consumption is influenced by several factors:

• how many square meters is the room;
• IR device power consumption;
• heat loss coefficient.

When choosing IR equipment, you should be guided by the following factors:

• consumer power;
• what is the electrical energy consumption;
• maximum heating temperature of the tungsten helix;
• maximum incandescence temperature of the material around the spiral.

Experts recommend purchasing devices that reach the limit of 700⁰WITH.

Infrared heaters come in two types: short-wave and long-wave. You can tell them apart with the naked eye. Short-wave devices in the dark emit waves that a person can see. Accordingly, long-wave radiation cannot be seen.

Benefits of IR Devices

Among all heating systems, IR devices for saving electrical energy occupy a leading place. Advantages of IR devices:

• oxygen is not burned in the air;
• heat large rooms, can be used in restaurants, cafes and shops;
• the heating rate of the room is several times higher compared to other devices;
• uniform heat distribution throughout the room from bottom to top;
• does not pose a danger to the human body (colds are treated under IR rays);
• it has a built-in regulator that allows it to turn on and off automatically;
• positive effect on the body;
• does not make sounds;
• does not dry out the air and does not drive away dust;
• works great outdoors in winter;
• fireproof;
• do not interfere with the operation of other ventilation devices;
• installation work is easy;
• aesthetic;
• long lasting device.

How to decide on power

Everyone is interested in the question of how to determine the power? When purchasing an IR device, you should additionally purchase a thermostat. But more expensive device models are already equipped with them. Using a thermostat, you can control the temperature, thereby saving electrical energy. Heat is supplied pointwise, which allows heating both houses and apartments, as well as open areas.

Shortwave IR devices

The most popular models of short-wave heaters are incandescent lamps and gas radiators. All objects that are close to the heaters heat up. A person can see infrared radiation precisely because the surrounding material absorbs electromagnetic waves.

A tungsten coil is used as a heating element. Tungsten burns at a temperature of 3350⁰C. Shortwave IR device range 200-700⁰WITH.

An example of calculating the electricity consumption of a heater per month

As an example, we take a short-wave device with a power consumption of 0.5 kW/h. With this indicator, the efficiency (efficiency factor) will be high in relation to other similar heaters.

The device will be turned on approximately 10 hours a day. Having made calculations for a month, we can say that the device will take 150 kW/h. For an infrared device, this is a relatively small indicator of electricity consumption.

Important! When purchasing a device, it is necessary to take into account the area that it will heat. You should not take a device with high power for a small room, as this will entail extra expenses on electricity bills.

Comparison of electricity consumption with other types of heaters

As an example, we take a long-wave device that is in demand. The power of IR equipment is approximately 1.5 kW. Calculation of energy consumption will be carried out under the following conditions:

1. The room has 15 square meters.
2. Outside air temperature -20⁰WITH.
3. Desired room temperature +20⁰WITH.

Fan heaters will be placed in the last place. They have low efficiency and consume approximately 2.5 kW/h.

Oil radiators will be less wasteful. They consume approximately 1-2 kWh, but heat up very slowly.

Convection appliances (convectors) come with relatively low energy consumption. They consume approximately 1-1.5 kW/h.