Infrared heaters with thermostat

The traditional heating system for a country house is not always appropriate. The boiler will have to be constantly turned on, even when the owners are not in the country, so that the water in the radiators does not freeze. This is very unprofitable and dangerous. Infrared heaters with a temperature controller for summer cottages will help to save on heating, quickly heating the room by the arrival of the owners.

Classification of infrared 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.

The difference between models by location

Probably, it would be right to start a review of the differences in IR heaters at the place of their installation. 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 models run on liquefied gas, which eliminates their attachment to the mains.

The use of floor models has several features:

• The device installed on the floor 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 models are equipped with sensors. The device is able to turn itself off in the event of a tip over and with a lack of oxygen in the room.

Despite the shutdown sensors, you need to know that during operation the device burns oxygen strongly. While the sensor has time to work, the low level of oxygen will negatively affect the well-being of a person. In the room where the heater is used, it is necessary to take care of ventilation.

Wall mount models

In appearance, wall-mounted infrared heaters are nothing more than traditional radiators. The only difference is that the radiator is attached to the heating system and is installed at a certain height from the floor, while the infrared heater can be mounted on any part of the wall.

Let’s look at the features of wall-mounted IR heaters:

• The modern design of the models will not spoil the interior of any room. The installation of the appliance is not affected by the height of the ceiling. In large rooms, heaters are mounted around the entire perimeter of the building and always under the windows.
• To fix the device to the wall, you only need a few self-tapping screws with dowels. Installation is available to any inexperienced person.

Wall 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 interfere with anyone.

Ceiling infrared heaters have their own characteristics:

• The best heating effect is achieved in rooms with high ceilings. The radiated heat spreads throughout the room. In a house with low ceilings, the effectiveness of ceiling models will be low and it is better to refuse them.
• Ceiling mounted heaters are just as easy to install as wall mounted models. Fastening is carried out with the same self-tapping screws with dowels.
• Mounted to the ceiling, the appliance can always be adjusted to your liking for better heat dissipation throughout the room.

Many ceiling heaters can be controlled remotely. This increases the comfort of their use.

The difference in radiation range and type of energy carrier

Infrared heaters have 3 groups of differences in the length of the emitted wave:

• The radiation range of shortwave models is within 0,74–2,5 µm. Such heaters are considered the most powerful. They are not used in residential premises and even shops. Devices are intended for arrangement of heating of big industrial buildings and stations.
• The radiation of medium wave models has a range of 2,5–50 µm. These devices are successfully used in all residential areas.
• Long-wave radiation of the 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 work from a specific energy carrier, which divides them into separate groups:

• Diesel appliances work by burning liquid fuels, in this case diesel fuel. It is impossible to use such models for heating the cottage for safety reasons, and there is no need for an unpleasant smell in the house.

  

• Gas infrared heaters work from natural or liquefied gas propane-butane pumped into a cylinder. It is possible to heat a residential building with a device, but it is not safe. It is necessary to constantly monitor the operation of the heater and ensure the flow of fresh air. For country use, this option is better to exclude.

  

• Appliances 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 right choice.

  

Based on the differences considered, it can be concluded that medium and long-wave infrared models powered by electricity are suitable for summer cottages.

The difference between electric heaters by type of heating element

All electric infrared heaters are equipped with a heating element. It is from him that the heat that spreads throughout the room emanates.

Tungsten filament

The most common heating element material is tungsten. Spirals of this metal are used in all old heaters, primitive electric furnaces, etc. In infrared heaters, the tungsten filament is enclosed in a glass tube with a vacuum. Sometimes, instead of vacuum, a mixture of gases is pumped into the tube. Such a heating element is called halogen. During operation, the spiral heats up to 2 thousand degrees.⁰C. The disadvantage of the heater is the strong brightness of the emitted short waves during operation.

carbon fiber heater

When making a carbon fiber helix, carbon is used. 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 helix is ​​enclosed in a vacuum glass tube. The efficiency of the heater is 95%. The downside of the heater is the high cost and weak structural strength.

Tubular heating elements

The design of the heating element resembles the already considered heating elements made of tungsten and carbon fiber. The only difference is that the heating element coil is enclosed not in a glass, but in an aluminum tube. In infrared heaters, several heating elements are usually installed on an aluminum plate with a maximum heating temperature of 300^оC. The design of the heater on heating elements is considered to be durable. The only negative is the slight crackling of the element when heated.

Ceramic heater

The design of the heater consists of a spiral that heats the ceramic panel. The top of the ceramics is treated with a special glaze coating. The efficiency of the ceramic heater is at least 80%.

Micathermal heater

The working element of the mikathermic heater is a special alloy plate treated with mica. When an electric current passes through them, infrared waves are emitted. The plates heat up to a maximum of 60^оC, which eliminates the possibility of getting burned when touching them. Micathermal heaters feature a modern design. Their disadvantage is high cost and low efficiency, which is a maximum of 80%.

Film IR heaters

An excellent option for heating a living space can be film infrared heaters. They can be laid on the floor or ceiling of the room.

Film for floor heating

The film serves as a source of IR radiation. It is laid directly under the floor covering. In order for the radiated heat to be directed only towards the room, a heat insulator – isolon – is placed under the film. The thermostat controls the operation of the film. It turns out a kind of “warm floor” system, fireproof and very beneficial for giving.

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 draft ceiling with a substrate of the same isolon. The film is connected to the mains through a thermostat. Maximum heating temperature – 50^оC. It is effective to use PLET together with floor film, however, the initial cost of purchasing it is 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 a second name for a thermostat – a thermostat. The principle of operation of the thermostat is to capture the ambient temperature with a sensor. According to the specified parameters, the sensor sends a signal to the electronic circuit responsible for supplying or disconnecting 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 – 300-1200^оWITH;
• medium temperature – 60-500^оWITH;
• low temperature – up to 60^оC.

There are 2 types of thermostats:

• Mechanical devices designed for manual setting of the temperature on the scale by turning the lever or pressing a button. The advantage of the thermostat is its low cost, the disadvantage is that it is impossible to set the exact temperature.

  

• Electronic models more accurate. They have a programming function. The change of operating modes is carried out on the touch screen or buttons. The disadvantage of electronic thermostats is the high cost and complexity of control.

  

When connecting a thermostat, several rules are observed:

• the maximum height of the thermostat from the floor is 1,5 m;
• to obtain accurate readings, a heat insulator must be placed under the thermostat fixed to 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;
• no objects should touch the installed thermostat.

According to the installation method, thermostats are of hidden and open type. The connection diagram is shown in the photo.

The video talks about UFO IR heaters:

Summing up the choice of an IR heater for a summer residence

It remains to add to what we have already considered that for the economical heating of the dacha, a device with a thermostat will definitely be required. The answer to the question of how to choose an infrared heater for a summer residence in the first place will be to determine the place of its installation. If there is gas in the summer cottage, then for heating the veranda, terrace and other similar ventilated premises, it is advisable to give preference to gas infrared devices. For residential premises, only electric models are definitely suitable. Which one to choose depends on the preferences of the owner and his money.

When installing infrared heaters for summer cottages on your own, one rule must be taken into account, the thermostat should not fall into the field of IR radiation and the sun’s rays should not fall on it. And our advice and recommendations from electrical goods sellers will help you choose the right device.