Pros and Cons of Infrared Heating: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re considering infrared heating for your home, you’ll want to read this first.

When it comes to heating your home, there are many different options to choose from. You can go with the traditional options or switch to infrared heating.

Infrared heaters have been growing in popularity in recent years, but is this type of heater right for you?

In this blog post, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of infrared heating to help you so that you can make an informed decision if this type of heater is right for your needs.

Keep reading to find out if infrared heat is a good fit for your home.

Let’s jump right in.

Infrared Heating Pros and Cons: At a Glance

Infrared heating has a ton of advantages and is a cost-effective alternative to traditional heating methods as it is efficient, safe to use and doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. But, it does have tiny little disadvantages that you should be aware of before making a decision.

Let’s quickly glance over the advantages and disadvantages of infrared heating before we jump into the details for each of these.

Okay, now let’s look at each of these pros and cons in a bit more detail so that you can decide if infrared heating is the best option for your needs.

Advantages of Infrared Heaters

Infrared Heaters are Exceptionally Efficient

One of the main reasons people switch to infrared heating is that it is much more efficient than other heaters on the market. As a result, they’re incredibly effective at heating an area quickly.

Infrared heaters convert almost 100% of the energy they use into heat. This makes them much more efficient than traditional heating methods like furnaces and space heaters.

The main reason why infrared heating is more energy-efficient than other heating methods is that it doesn’t need to heat the air as much.

Infrared heaters use a special wavelength of light that penetrates the skin and heats the object from within. This makes them much more efficient compared to traditional space heaters, which rely on convection to heat the air around them.

With conventional heaters, the warmed-up air rises and circulates the room, which can be inefficient as hot air at the top is almost wasted energy as you need to wait for the whole room to heat up to get a cosy feeling.

On the other hand, IR heaters heat the objects and people directly when they are in the room, which means you can immediately feel the warmth.

There’s no wasted energy – you can feel warm and cosy in just minutes without having to wait for the whole room to heat up first!

This fantastic efficiency of infrared heating also means: infrared heaters are a lot cheaper to run than traditional heating methods because they’re so efficient at converting energy into heat.

Infrared Heaters Can be Used Anywhere

You can use infrared heating anywhere in the house – inside or outside. You only need to get the right type depending on the room you want to put it in.

You can use infrared-powered heaters in living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens. They are also great for the patio, especially those with more intense infrared that directly heat specific areas.

Garages are another place where infrared heaters can come in handy. It’s often difficult to keep a garage warm in the winter, but an infrared heater can make a big difference.

You can also install them in your business premises, such as restaurants and bars, or even factories that need to keep a specific temperature for their employees to be comfortable.

They’re also more efficient at heating a room than convection heaters, as they don’t need to warm up the air around them first. This makes them ideal for use in closed-off spaces like garages or attics where there isn’t much airflow available.

Types of infrared heaters available:

• Infrared panels (wall or ceiling mountable)
• Portable heaters
• Patio heaters
• Terrace heaters

Infrared heaters Heat Evenly Throughout a Room

Another advantage of infrared heaters is that they heat evenly throughout a room. This contrasts with traditional convection heaters, which often have hot and cold spots.

The main reason for this difference is how the two types of heater work. Convection heaters rely on heating up the air around them, creating uneven pockets of hot and cold air.

On the other hand, infrared heaters heat objects directly without heating up the air around them first. This means that you get a more even distribution of heat throughout the room, as well as being able to feel the warmth almost immediately.

This is especially beneficial in large rooms or open-plan areas.

Infrared Heaters are Safe to Use

There’s a common misconception about infrared radiation heating:

People think it is less safe than regular convection heating because they cannot see any flames or hot coils on display like in an electric heater, and the word radiation in the name causes further concern.

It happened to me as well, and the truth is the opposite. So let me give you a bit of a back story.

When I was looking for a heating solution for our outhouse at the bottom of the garden, which gets cold, I almost ended up buying an oil-filled radiator – a 1400 Watts unit.

I had almost made up my mind. I was specifically looking for a WiFi-controlled heater and comparing a few options and that’s when I luckily stumbled upon the concept of infrared heating and the amazing heaters using this incredible technology.

Yes – even I never knew this type of heating existed until 2022. And I had all the doubts about IR as safety was my foremost concern.

Energy efficiency and everything is fine. But, if it is not healthy and safe to use, I didn’t want it.

But after reading about how infrared radiant heaters work and gathering information with a lot of reading and researching online, I got convinced that Infrared heaters are much safer to use than many other heating solutions out there.

So let me tell you why and how I got convinced on the safety aspect.

(so much so that I got off on a mission to educate others and created YourCosyNest – my wife thinks I am crazy, but she supports me. LOL.)

The truth is that infrared heating has a lot of safety benefits, both for you and your home.

First off, infrared heaters are entirely electric and do not use any combustible fuel like gas or oil to generate heat, so there’s no chance of them leaking harmful gases into your home (plus they don’t burn up oxygen like a fire does, so they’re actually good for your air quality).

Infrared radiation is a type of light, just like the kind that comes from the sun and television screens. Infrared heaters emit this type of light to create heat, which is why they’re sometimes called “lightbulb” heaters.

Infrared heaters are completely safe and emit healthy heat. Infrared rays only come into contact with objects and materials in the room, heating them directly without circulating warm air through convection like traditional electric space heaters.

In fact, infrared heating is actually safer than regular convection heating because it is less likely to cause burns. However, it’s still important to keep infrared heaters away from young children and pets as they can get burned if they touch the heater directly.

Infrared heaters don’t emit any harmful chemicals or pollutants, making them safer for the environment and health!

The bottom line: infrared heating is perfectly safe.

Infrared Heaters are Safe for Pets and Children

Another big advantage of infrared heaters is that they’re safe for pets and children.

Infrared heaters are an excellent choice for people with pets because they are entirely safe for animals. The infrared waves emitted by the heater will not bother your pet in any way, and they will be able to stay warm while you’re away.

Infrared heaters are also safe for children. There are no flames in an infrared heater, unlike electric fan heaters, pellet stoves and fireplaces. So it is safe for kids as well.

The lack of visible flames or heat coils means there is no risk of you or your children burning themselves on an infrared heater, unlike traditional space heaters.

However, the surface of IR heaters can reach high temperatures, so having safety measures like keeping the heaters out of reach (installing on walls or ceilings) is always a good idea.

Also, traditional space heaters often have sharp edges or get very hot, which can be dangerous for little ones. Infrared heaters don’t have such a problem.

Infrared Heaters are Low Maintenance

Infrared heaters are easy to maintain and don’t require a lot of upkeep. Unlike a traditional furnace, you don’t have to change the filter or clean the unit often. This can save you time and money in the long run.

While outdoor patio and terrace heaters might require some maintenance because they’re exposed to the elements, infrared heating panels mounted on walls or ceilings are easy to wipe down and keep clean. A simple dusting is often all that is needed to keep them functioning properly.

Just make sure you always use a damp cloth or sponge, so your unit doesn’t get damaged from any scratches or abrasions caused by dirt buildup (especially if you have a picture heating panel)!

Infrared Heaters are Easy to Install

Most infrared heaters are very easy to install and don’t require expertise. An infrared heater can be plugged into a regular electric outlet and will work immediately, or it can be installed permanently using hard-wired connections.

Tip: If you plan to get a hard-wired connection, make sure you get a qualified electrician to install it.

Far Infrared heating panels can be mounted on the ceiling or walls without using any floor space and are very easy to install. Most come with pre-fitted brackets and can be plugged into a standard wall outlet.

Suppose you opt for a portable variant for, well, portability. In that case, you can plug it into a nearby wall socket when needed and hide it away when not in use or take it to the other room, offering you some flexibility.

Infrared Heaters Provide Instant Heat

When you need heat fast, infrared heaters are the best option. They provide instant heat, so you won’t have to wait long for the room to warm up; the warmth from the heater is felt by people in the room almost instantly.

As I mentioned before, Infrared heating works by heating any objects (including people) in sight of the heater.

This means that infrared heaters will start to warm you up immediately when switched on, unlike other types of heaters which need a while to warm up as they heat up the air first.

With Infrared heating, no long waits to feel the warmth.

Infrared Heaters Don’t Dry Up the Air

One of the most significant advantages of infrared heaters is that they don’t dry out or dehumidify your air, unlike fan heaters which blow heated air into a room.

This means that you can use an Infrared heater for more extended periods without having to worry about turning it off as you start feeling headaches or getting a sore throat from the dry air and dehydration.

Infrared Heaters are Quiet

Another advantage of infrared heaters is that they are very quiet, meaning you can have one on in your bedroom without disturbing your sleep. So if you’re like me, who finds fan heaters quite loud and intrusive, infrared heaters are a great quiet alternative.

Infrared Heating Has Many Health Benefits

Infrared light therapy has been shown to have a host of health benefits.

Some of these benefits include:

• Reducing inflammation
• Relieving pain
• Improving circulation
• Speeding up the healing process
• Stimulating collagen production

These are just some of the many infrared heating health benefits backed by science.

Infrared Heaters are Great for People With Allergies or Asthma

Infrared heaters are a great choice for people with allergies or asthma, as they do not produce any allergens or vapours.

This contrasts to fan heaters which can often circulate dust and other allergens around the room, exacerbating allergies and asthma symptoms.

If you have pets, you know that they can often be a source of allergens. For example, pet hair and dander can get into the air and cause problems for people with allergies or asthma.

Infrared Heating Works Well in Humid Environments

Most electric space heaters rely on convection to work properly; they need the air around them to be warm to heat up the room. However, this can be a problem in humid environments, as the air is already saturated with water, and it’s difficult for the heater to do its job.

Infrared heaters don’t have this problem. They work by heating up the objects and people directly, which means you can still use them in humid environments.

Because Infrared panels are not affected by high humidity, they are an excellent choice for bathrooms.

Imagine your bathroom mirror never fogging up again! And on top of that, your mirror itself is the heater!

Yeah, you can have the infrared heating panel as a mirror, so it doesn’t even need any extra space.

Disadvantages of Infrared Heaters

Like anything else in life, infrared heaters do have a few downfalls that you should be aware of before making your decision.

Now that we’ve looked at the pros let’s take a look at the disadvantages of infrared heating.

Here are a few:

High Upfront Costs

Infrared heaters are very cost-effective and efficient to run, but they can be expensive to buy especially if you’re getting a good quality one that will last you years of continuous use.

The cost you’ll spend also depends on the unit you’re purchasing. To invest in a quality unit, the upfront cost can be high.

The good news is that it will pay for itself in energy savings and comfort over time.

Infrared Heaters Can be Expensive to Install

Infrared heaters can be expensive to install. Depending on the size of your home, you might need several panels to provide enough heat.

Also, you need to consider the cost of installation in case you need to get a qualified electrician involved. However, if you will install them yourself and use the direct wall plug to power them, you can save on these costs and bring the upfront cost down. I did exactly this.

In my order, I made sure they sent me the panel with the wall plug already fit in so I could just hang it on the wall and plug it in.

Infrared Heating Needs a Clear Line of Sight to Work Effectively

Infrared heaters must not be obstructed by anything, or they won’t work properly.

If you have a lot of furniture, it might be hard to find an area where nothing is blocking the heater from heating up your space as intended.

They need to be pointed at the walls and objects present in the room. If they’re not facing these items directly, then this will reduce their effectiveness.

The other thing to consider is that the heat will not go around corners, so it’s best if you have a clear line of sight for all your heating needs.

Infrared Heating Panels Need to be Kept Clean

To ensure the best performance from your infrared heating panel, you should clean it regularly with a damp cloth and mild detergent. The cleaner the heater’s surface is kept – the better it will operate at its maximum efficiency levels!

Doesn’t Heat the Air Outside of the Area it is in

Another disadvantage is that the heat generated by an infrared panel only stays in the area that it’s placed in. This means that if you have a large room, you might need more than one panel to heat the entire space evenly.

Additionally, because these heaters don’t rely on circulating air, they can be less effective at heating larger areas.

Not All Infrared Heating Units are Portable

…some require installation on walls or ceilings for the most efficient operation. These cannot be moved around like the portable ones and are less effective if you plan to use them in different rooms or take them with you when you travel.

They also tend to be quite large, so they might not suit all spaces.

Final Thoughts: Pros and Cons of Infrared Heaters

There you have it. A detailed guide on the pros and cons of infrared heating.

As you can see, there are some significant advantages to using these types of heaters, but there are also a few disadvantages that you should be aware of before making your decision.

Some of the advantages include: they are very cost-effective to run, efficient, and can be installed in various places in your home. Some of the disadvantages include high upfront costs, possible installation fees, and the need for a clear line of sight for the heaters to work correctly.

Weighing all the factors will help you decide if infrared heating is the right choice for you and your home.

Overall, infrared heating is an excellent option if you want an efficient and healthy way to heat your home. It’s perfect for use in humid environments and can save you money on your energy bills.

Despite their drawbacks that, as you can see, are easily outnumbered by the advantages, infrared heaters are a popular choice for many people looking for an efficient way to heat their homes.

Do you have any questions or comments about infrared heaters? Please share them in the comment section below!

Stay safe and stay warm.