Our experts:
Nikita Kutsenko – director of the Apartment Doctor company Nikita Kutsenko Valery Zhukov – businessman who installs heating and air conditioning
Content:
Infrared heaters: types and which ones are better Pros and cons of infrared heaters What to look for when choosing an electric infrared heater for your home The best electric infrared heaters for the 2024-2025 season The best budget infrared heater The best wall-mounted infrared heater The best energy saving heaterBest ceiling infrared heater with thermostatBest powerful infrared heater for homeBest infrared heater for 2024-25 season according to editors
Infrared heaters: types and which ones are best
Infrared heaters get their name from the principle of operation: they emit electromagnetic waves in the infrared range. Its impact is easy to feel, as the waves directionally heat the surfaces they hit. And the people who are nearby feel warm.
Depending on the type of energy source used, the following types of infrared heaters are distinguished:
Electric (such heaters are easy to use, compact and have a significant service life); Gas (they have high power and are often used in open areas);
Electric infrared heaters
Electric infrared heaters are divided into several types:
quartz (based on a quartz tube with a heating element inside. Among the advantages are noiselessness, fast heating and affordable cost) ceramic (based on a ceramic emitter. The heater can be used at home and in production, it is effective at home); presence of air access and drafts in the room); coal (radiation is created in a quartz tube located in a vacuum. They can operate continuously throughout the day); Halogen lamps serve as the main heat source here. can heat the area in a matter of minutes); micathermic (they contain several plates coated with aluminum mica. Absolutely safe, the surface heating temperature usually does not exceed 60 degrees).
Gas infrared heaters
Infrared gas heaters are used to increase the temperature in rooms and outdoor terraces using infrared radiation. When the fuel is ignited, the gas-air mixture located inside the device emits heat in the infrared range and begins to heat the surfaces. Experts point out mobility and quick warm-up as advantages.
Gasoline infrared heaters
Infrared liquid fuel heaters (gasoline) are universal, they can be used during fishing or hunting, and in addition to heating, you can also cook food in them. However, this type of heater is the one with the highest fire risk and is mainly used outdoors.
Each type of infrared heater has its own strengths and weaknesses. As a rule:
For an apartment or a house, electrical appliances are used for a summer house or an open area: gasoline or gas.
In any case, before purchasing specific equipment, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with its characteristics and operating conditions.
Pros and cons of infrared heaters
Infrared heaters have both positive and negative characteristics.
Advantages of infrared heaters:
Comfort. These devices do not heat the air, but rather the ground. As a result, the feeling of stuffiness and dry air disappears. Heaters are not installed near walls and are not in direct contact with possibly flammable materials such as wallpaper or curtains. Devices of this type are 30-40 percent cheaper than other analogues due to the fact that they can create a minimum temperature difference between the floor and the ceiling over a long period of operation. Infrared devices are designed to last a long time and have a good warranty: three to five years. They can be used for the main type of heating of any type of room.
Disadvantages of infrared heaters:
Baking. Due to the high heating intensity, the intense heat that at first seems pleasant soon becomes uncomfortable. Several heaters are needed. To heat a large area and prevent overcooking, it is necessary to install several low-power heating devices. This can significantly increase the cost of installing heaters. High heating temperature of the equipment. The surface temperature of the heating device facing the ground can reach 250 degrees. Therefore, if you touch it carelessly, you may get burned. It depends on the type of soil. Most of the heat from these heaters goes downwards. Consequently, the soil surface heats up and begins to radiate heat upward. To minimize heat loss, the floor itself must be thermally insulated and have low thermal conductivity. Only laminate, wood or linoleum coverings have these characteristics.
What to look for when choosing an electric infrared heater for your home
Infrared heater type
“Pay attention to the type of infrared heater,” advises Nikita Kutsenko, director of the Apartment Doctor company, “there are two main types: quartz heaters and coal heaters reach the desired temperature faster, but coal heaters are more economical and have a longer useful life.
Heating element type
There are three types of heaters in infrared devices:
carbon, ceramic, tubular.
Depending on the type of room where the equipment will be located and the conditions, it is worth giving preference to a specific type of heater. For example:
Ceramic ones can be used in saunas or hospitals, even for physiotherapy, charcoal ones (for rapid heating, tubular ones) for heating homes.
Installation type
Infrared heaters are used both in living rooms and in greenhouses, verandas or terraces. Depending on the destination, it is worth choosing a specific type of heater: floor, wall or ceiling.
“Think about the surface that your equipment will heat,” advises businessman Valery Zhukov. “The power of the device you need and its type directly depend on this. As a general rule, floor devices are the most mobile devices that can be carried; with you to the country house. But wall or ceiling ones usually have good power, so they are suitable for constant use.”
Housing material
The case is made of high quality material, a guarantee of safe and long-term use of the device. Typically, plastic models are less sensitive to corrosion and are not afraid of moisture.
Force
As a rule, a heater up to 1000 W is enough for 10 square meters. But it can be placed next to people, since “infrared heaters” heat the surrounding surfaces, sitting near the heater will be warm and comfortable;
Nikita Kutsenko notes: “The higher the power, the larger the area it can heat. It is recommended to choose a heater taking into account the size of the room: for rooms up to 20 square meters, 1000-1500 W is enough. “
Availability of additional functions.
Nikita Kutsenko also advises to think about the functionality in advance: the presence of a thermostat, timer and remote control can significantly increase the comfort of use.
The best electric infrared heaters for the 2024-2025 season.
“When it comes to the best infrared heaters of 2024, I highlight models from brands such as Timberk and Ballu, which offer high efficiency, reliability and attractive designs. In addition, it is worth looking for multifunctional units with overheating protection and moisture protection, which Especially important for the bathroom or balcony,” says Nikita Kutsenko.
The best budget infrared heater
One of the best in this section is RESANTA IKO-1500L.
RESANTA IKO-1500L Photo: vseinstrumenti.ru
Peculiarities:
The wall heater has a power of up to 1.5 kW. It can be useful when heating an area of up to 25 square meters. m. The power of the device can be adjusted using a rotary switch. Easy to use, the device may be liked by those who do not pursue elegant design, but rather value comfort and simplicity.
Advantages:
Attractive price No wiring required during installation Nice design
Cons:
The casing may become hot. Without thermostat.
Price: 2300 rubles
The best wall-mounted infrared heater.
According to expert Valery Zhukov, Ballu BIH-LW2-1.5 can be considered one of the best wall heaters.
Ballu BIH-LW2-1.5 Photo: vseinstrumenti.ru
Peculiarities:
Ballu BIH-LW2-1.5 is a heater with a metal casing and a declared power of 1.5 kW. Three quartz tubes installed in parallel serve as the main source of infrared radiation. It can be attractive if your room is custom designed or you are on a budget.
Advantages:
Installation at a height of up to 2.5 meters Possibility of changing the angle of inclination thanks to the rotating bracket Protection of the housing against splashes Digital display of the configured modes
Cons:
No thermostatHeat a small areaHeat from body heating
Price: 2990 rubles
The best energy saving heater.
Ballu BIH-APL-0.6 can be considered one of the best energy-saving devices for roofs.
Ballu BIH-APL-0.6 Photo: vseinstrumenti.ru
Peculiarities:
Ballu BIH-APL-0.6 has a universal mounting bracket, designed so that such a device can be installed not only on the ceiling, but also on the wall. It is worth paying attention if you need lightweight and small-sized equipment.
Advantages:
Low power consumption; Rapid heating of surrounding surfaces; Small dimensions and weight; Power up to 600 W;
Disadvantages: no thermostat.
Price: 3000 rubles
The best infrared ceiling heater with a thermostat.
Almac IK11 is a ceiling infrared heater with thermostat.
Almac IK11 Photo: vseinstrumenti.ru
Peculiarities:
This device is of national production. As a general rule, the buyer has a warranty of up to five years. You should give preference to a heater if you are looking for a device to quickly heat a house or apartment with ceilings up to 3.5 meters.
Advantages:
Easy installationGood warrantyReliable casing
Cons
Connection cables are not included. There may be defects in the paint on the box.
Price: 6390 rubles
The best powerful infrared heater for the home.
Master TS-3 A can be considered one of the most powerful heaters.
Master TS-3 A Photo: master-official.ru
Peculiarities:
The device has good power (from 0.6 to 2.4 kW) and one hundred percent efficiency. When using it, there is no condensation, no smoke or burning smell. At the same time, the official manufacturer’s warranty period is up to 18 months. Experts advise taking a closer look at the device if you prefer expensive equipment and counting on European quality: the device was created in Italy.
Advantages:
Reliability and durability
High efficiency
Cons:
Price not available; Weight 7.6 kg.
Price: from 26 thousand rubles.
The best infrared heater of the 2024-25 season according to the editors
The Timberk T-CH2.0-A10 infrared heater, in our opinion, can be considered the best heater of the season.
Timberk T-CH2.0-A10 Photo: vseinstrumenti.ru
Peculiarities:
It can be used for local or main heating of premises. The device is worth paying attention to if you need to use it not only indoors, but also in open areas. The equipment is protected from dust and moisture.
Advantages:
Presence of a remote control Two power modes Illuminated modes Universal installation
Cons: Cost.
Price: 7 thousand rubles.
