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Infrared Heating System
Infrared Radiant Heating Systems | Garage Heaters
Infrared Radiant Heating systems provide comfortable heat in larger areas and spaces such as garages, warehouses, and other open spaces where other types of heating systems are not practical or efficient. Infrared radiant heat works through thermal radiation transmitting heat to large objects including floors and walls.
These large objects heat up through thermal radiation and then release that heat to the surrounding air through convection making the open space or open area comfortable for the occupants.
Infrared Radiant Heating Systems | Garage Heaters
There are few common types of radiant heating systems used for providing infrared radiant heat that include electric radiant heating and gas-fired radiant heating systems. Oil-fired radiant heating systems are also available. Temperature outputs for these systems range from approximately 300° F. all the way up to over 3500° F. for high-intensity infrared radiant systems. At those high surface temperatures, it should be noted that infrared heating systems should not be used in areas where combustible materials are located.
Additionally, for gas and oil-fired radiant heating systems and heaters, proper venting and combustion air should be available for the radiant heating appliance. Always follow all code requirements and manufacturer’s instructions when installing or using infrared radiant heating systems.
Infrared Radiant Heating Systems | Garage Heaters - Construction
An infrared heating system typically has a steel tube that is heated and glows red hot. This tube will radiate thermal heat to a parabolic reflector that reflects the radiant heat towards the floor or large objects that absorb the radiant heat where convection takes place and adds the heat to the surrounding air making the space comfortable for occupants.
Infrared heating systems use the same method of heating that the sun produces for the Earth. Little heat loss is realized as the radiant thermal energy is transmitted from the radiant heating appliance to the object it is heating (load) even if cold air is present or even wind.
A good example of this is when a garage door is opened and closed on a cold winter day. This makes radiant heating ideal for garages and other large open areas. Infrared heating systems need little maintenance for electric and typical maintenance for gas and oil-fired radiant systems. Keeping the unit clean should be in any maintenance plan whether the radiant heating system is electric or otherwise.
Infrared Radiant Heating Systems | Garage Heaters - Maintenance Checks
Garage Radiant Heating System
Gas and oil systems that utilize an inducer fan for combustion air and gases should be checked periodically to make sure the radiant heating system is venting properly and adequate combustion air is getting to the system.
Regular preventive maintenance also adds efficiency to any type of HVAC system and makes good sense to implement on all air conditioning and heating systems. Infrared is a part of the electromagnetic spectrum between microwaves and ultraviolet rays and this type of radiation is easily absorbed by objects or reflected towards an object for heating purposes.
Efficiency varies for infrared radiant heating but overall if used in the proper application can be far more efficient than conventional heating methods especially for garages and large open spaces.
Little heat loss will be realized from the point of infrared emission to the object that is heated even if there are wind factors simply because infrared heating is radiant heat and not affected by air as it travels from point A to point B.
Infrared Radiant Heating Systems | Garage Heaters - Conclusion
Objects of substantial mass will take longer to heat using radiant heat and so the opposite is true about the object taking a long time to cool down when the radiant heating systems shut down. Infrared heating systems can be zoned or staged to increase efficiency by reducing operating costs.
Infrared Radiant Heating Systems | Garage Heaters
Technical Resource: Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology
