Infrared Heater Question or review...

[hondarider550]

I don't know if you can answer this but has anybody ever tried one of these infrared heaters that you can buy online or from dealers for the $400 - $500 range? I've been checking them out and they look like they could be something that you can use to lower your heating costs...

I was just wondering if anybody has ever tried them and what you think about it.

You dont have to give me names or anything just give me your opinion. I'm not sure that it would be any better than going out and buying one of these $50 ceramic heaters.

[fastkaw]

Go to page 3 about a 1/3 of the way down. infrared heaters.

That pretty much covered it.

[jltimm]

Don't buy one, get the ceramic heater or anything but the infra red! It's a scam!

[BobT]

Not necessarily a scam but the advertising can be deceiving.

First, about the only way that a portable electric space heater (infrared, ceramic, or otherwise) can help you reduce your home heating bill is if you reduce the overall temperature in your entire house by a few degrees and then use the heater to warm ONLY the room you are using. In this way you can remain comfortable while the rest of your house is not being heated as warm.

Second, it doesn't matter what type of heater it is the cost per kilowatt-hour will be the same.

Here's how to calculate the cost to operate an electric space heater.

Most heaters will be designed to plug in to a 15A receptacle therefore, they will most likely have an output rating of approximately 1,500 watts.

Assuming your electricity costs you approximately $.10 per kwatt-hour we can calculate the cost to operate using simple math.

1500 = 1.5 kwatts. If your heater runs steady for 1 hour you will consume approximately 1.5 kwatt-hour. 1.5 X $.10 = $.15 so it will cost you $.15 per hour to operate the heater. Sounds cheap but consider what it would cost to operate that heater for 10 hours per day. $1.50 X 30 days = $45.00 per month just to heat one small area. You still have to heat the rest of your home so there is no savings unless you lower your home temperatur enough to compensate.

You don't have to pay $400 - $500 dollars to get this. A cheap $10.00 1500w heater will give you the same result for the same operating cost.

1500w is 1500w no matter how pretty the cabinet the heater is in or whether the heater is designed using ceramic, oil-filled, or otherwise.

Hope this isn't too confusing.

Bob

[hondarider550]

Well sorry guys but I am trying out a C/Z infrared heater and I honestly have to say that I am impressed. I placed this heater where I normally have had a 1500 watt ceramic heater. While using the ceramic heater the propane furnace would normally run at least once every half hour. With the same weather conditions and using the new infrared heater the propane furnace has not operated yet!! I realize that I will be paying a higher electric bill but I was running the ceramic electric heater anyway.

I was told that while using the infrared heater that I should make sure that the humidity is kept up to normal levels which I already have been doing and if you have ceiling fans that you should run them in winter mode.

With this infrared heater the propane furnace is not running AND I can keep the house at least 5 to 8 degrees warmer than with the ceramic heater and propane heater combined...

Of course you want to place this heater where you are spending the most time in the house but I have to say so far I am impressed.

Just thought that I would share this with you... I realize that 1500 watts is 1500 watts but there is something about it that is working...

I will try to keep you updated as time goes...

[waterwolff]

Well the nice thing about infrared is they are instantaneous form of heat and has certain applications were they are most suitable. I placed one above my wife's smoking area in the garage I put it on a timer switch in case she forgets to shut it off.

Mike

[Hafnutz]

I don't understand. 1500 watts equals about 5,000 BTUs of heat period. End of story. Doesn't matter whether it comes out of a milk house type heater or some high zoot "amish fireplace" They both operate at 100% efficiency. It can't get any better than that. Bob offered a logical and understandable explanation of this...and.... I'm going to go sit by my $35.00 electric heater now. End of rant.

[BobT]

One thing about infrared heat is that it doesn't heat air very well and that is why the manufacturer states that you have to watch your humidity. Infrared radiation heats objects that are in direct line of contact. The furniture, walls, floors, and you absorb the radiation and heat up and then those objects will warm the air in the room via convection. In effect you all become part of the heating system.

If your propane system thermostat is in line of contact, it's no wonder it isn't running. The room wonldn't necessarily have to be cold because the thermostat thinks it is warm. Could get the same effect by holding a match to heat up the thermostat. The match certainly doesn't heat the room but the thermostat doesn't know this.

Bob

[hondarider550]

The thermostat is actually behind the infrared heater... I have the thermostat set at 60 degrees and the infrared heater faces away from it. The thermometer sets behind the heater also and it usually reads anywhere from 65 to 70 degrees. And it does feel warm in the room adjacent to the one with the heater...

I do not want to start any fights here. I know what Bob is saying and I totally agree with him.

Im sorry but something is working...

[BobT]

The room will warm using the heater but it takes longer for the air to warm.

The radiation from the heater warms the objects in the room and they in turn warm the room air through convection.

Infrared heat is a nice way to warm ojects quickly including yourself.

Ever been outside on a cool, sunny autumn day and noticed that the side of your body facing the sun feels nice and warm while the other side feels cold? You're experiencing infrared radiant heating. You feel warmer than your surroundings on the heated side even though the sun isn't high enough to warm the air itself.

Bob

[natalie]

I don't own an infrared heater, but I do work for a lady who is a paraplegic. Her and her husband have two of them for the whole house. One for the bedroom and one for the living room/kitchen. From my opinion they work pretty dang good.

[hondarider550]

At least someone agrees with me. I know that this thing is working...

[echo2010]

My mother has recently bought one and was trying it out before buying me one.

She isnt that impressed with it. She says if she cranks it on high and then has it facing her, it will keep her warm but doesnt feel it can heat a whole room.

*Shrugs* Maybe it depends on the brand?

[hondarider550]

I think that it depends alot on the design of your house. If you have a wide open house with few walls the heater might not work real well. Our old farm house has a lot of smaller rooms so it is easier to get the room up to temperature and hopefully some of the heat is transfered to the other room... Its been working for me but Im not saying that this heater is for everybody...

[echo2010]

I think that it depends alot on the design of your house. If you have a wide open house with few walls the heater might not work real well. Our old farm house has a lot of smaller rooms so it is easier to get the room up to temperature and hopefully some of the heat is transfered to the other room... Its been working for me but Im not saying that this heater is for everybody...

I live in a split foyer/level home and have a hard time keeping the basement warm. Being that it is tiled and finished, I would like to keep it more comfortable down there. Right now the heat comes from vents in the ceilings. I am considering putting a gas wall furnace in but do not know much about them. I was hoping the infrared would be the answer to the problem....but a majority of the feedback is negative thus far