How does infrared heating work?
Infrared heating works on a similar principle to the sun's rays or an old-style light bulb. What are infrared rays? How exactly does infrared heating work? Why is it considered an ecological source of heat? We will answer the questions later in the article. We invite you.
What is infrared radiation?
Light, depending on the wavelength, is divided into visible and invisible for humans.
Infrared radiation is a fragment of light below human vision, from the red range. They are also called infrared waves (from Latin infra, meaning below).
Every body emits infrared waves. The hotter the source is, the more infrared radiation it emits. A prime example of an infrared emitting body is the sun. The sun's rays give off the light and warming heat that is the basis of life on Earth.
Is infrared radiation safe?
Infrared waves are divided into bands:
-
near NIR (near infrared )
-
medium MIR (medium infrared)
-
far FIR (far infrared)
The infrared heating technology uses the safest infrared radiation, far FIR.
Is infrared safe for humans?
The very term "radiation" carries with it negative connotations for the layman, related to ignorance of the subject. It is associated with something dangerous and risky for users.
In order to bring the issue closer, we would like to briefly describe the types of infrared radiation.
Infrared rays can be divided into three categories:
-
near infrared (NIR)
-
medium infrared (medium infrared MIR)
-
far infrared (far infrared FIR)
Human presence in the near-infrared field may indeed carry some risk of corneal damage or skin burns, but those exposed to near-infrared radiation must wear protective clothing.
Infrared heating technology does not use near infrared radiation, but far FIR. Infrared FIR waves emit similar emission to the standard background we are in every day.
To increase the safety of users, it is recommended not to install infrared heating directly next to the bed or sofa on which we rest.
How does infrared heating work?
In order to explain the principles of infrared heating, it is easiest to use an example from real life.
Surely most of us know the pleasant feeling of spending a sunny day in the mountains skiing. Sports activity does not matter here, but for easier illustration, we decided to cite an example of skiing.
Bitter frost combined with the sun makes everyone willingly put their face towards the sky. Despite the low temperature, the body heats up quickly and we clearly feel the effect of sunlight on the skin. However, it is enough to move into the shadows for a moment, and the icy feeling of frost immediately returns.
Why is this happening? After all, the air temperature at the sun lounger in the sun is not significantly different from the ambient temperature a meter away, but in the shade.
To answer this question, it is necessary to pay attention to the structure of the human body. Our body is mostly made up of water molecules. It is in us from 60 to 70%.
40% of the sun's rays are infrared. They penetrate the human skin and directly heat the water molecules that the human body is made of.
Hence the feeling of warmth accompanying the impact of sunlight on the body.
Infrared heating works on a similar principle.
Differences between convection and infrared heating
Convection heating (conventional) is based on the technology of burning mainly fossil fuels, such as gas or coal, but also wood and by-products.
As a result of combustion, heat is generated, which heats the water in the system. Water transports heat through pipes, which is the first potential place for heat energy loss. It is enough for a leak, a significant length or an outdated construction of the heating installation to make the water temperature drop.
The heated water reaches the radiators in the apartments and raises the temperature of the air around the radiator. A warm wave of air travels upwards, under the ceiling it moves to the other side of the room, to fall cooled down on the opposite wall and back towards the radiator. Here the process starts again.
It is immediately obvious from the description and experience of most of us that heat escapes to the ceiling, where it is not needed, and the temperature in the room varies significantly depending on the distance from the radiator. The warmest in the room is right next to the radiator and under the ceiling. This is a big loss of energy and, consequently, costs for utilities.
Infrared heating works differently. Infrared rays do not heat the air, but directly people and objects within the range of operation of the heating panels. In every nook and cranny of the room, the perceived temperature is just as high. This is much more heating efficiency than in the case of the classic model based on the exchange of heated air.
Let's stop for a moment with air circulation. Convection heating is based on a constant exchange of heated air. The negative effect of air movement is the constant and burdensome lifting of a heated cloud of dust in the atmosphere of the room. This causes catarrh of the upper respiratory tract in the autumn and winter, drying of the mucous membranes and allergic nuisance of people who are allergic.
One of the advantages of infrared heating is greater comfort for residents related to the purity of the air they breathe. Another, no less important, is the lack of emission of poisonous fumes from chimneys into the atmosphere, because heating with infrared radiation does not require the installation of furnaces and chimneys.