Best 10 Infrared Heaters

Do you feel that cold breeze in your skin every morning you wake up and take off your blanket? Is your house cold when coming back from work? It can get quite chilly in the UK, can’t it? That’s why heating is of utmost importance. Luckily, when it comes to heating, we have plenty of choices and options (portable or fixed heaters, baseboard heaters, for indoor and outdoor use) to decide what’s best for us. 

In this buying guide, we’ll focus on one of the most modern and efficient options: The infrared heaters. Before choosing one, there are a few things to take into consideration. This guide will help you clear things out and buy what’s best for your needs. 

What are infrared heaters?

In general terms, they are a type of electric heater. Since they are pretty modern, it is natural that many people won’t know what they are and what they do. An infrared heater or heat lamp, or IR heater, is a device using high temperatures to transfer energy through electromagnetic radiation to an object (surface, furniture, or humans) with a lower temperature. Thus, by emitting radiant heat, it creates warmth, which is absorbed by objects and surfaces.

You can compare this type of infrared heating with the heat we feel when the sunlight pours through your windows. The light gradually warms up your house by hitting the surfaces, and even when the sun is down, your room will still be warm enough. In the same manner, infrared heaters do not warm the air. Instead, heat travels through the air until it contacts a surface or a person. That is the main difference between infrared and conventional heaters. In a traditional heater, there is a heat source that warms up the air around the device. That air provides the necessary warmth. The problem is that air can escape easily through the windows. This means, in simple terms, that you’re losing more heat (and thus energy and money) with a conventional heater than with an infrared one. 

Why do you need an Infrared Heater?

Infrared is a revolutionary patented technology in the heating industry. It has quickly gained popularity as an eco-friendly and energy-efficient solution. It could also be a potential alternative to central heating (gas and oil), which contributes significantly to the UK’s carbon emissions. There are plenty of reasons for you to buy an infrared heater, which affect everyday life in a much more tangible way and encourage you to make the switch: 

1. They are efficient and cost-effective.

With conventional heating, usually, cool air falls and hot air rises. So the cooler air needs to be heated again. And this process will continue until the air in its entirety reaches the desired temperature. It doesn’t sound very efficient. Does it? As mentioned above, infrared heating overcomes this by directly warming the surfaces and people inside the house, not the air itself. And so, this reaches the desired temperature a lot quicker. This high-efficiency level means that lower amounts of energy are consumed and, as natural, less money in electricity bills. 

2. You can use it outdoors, too.

Infrared heaters are exceptional for outdoor use. You already know the difference between the conventional and the infrared ones. Warming the furniture and the people in your garden or garage is much better than heating the air. Air will unavoidably escape. Plus, conventionals need much more power and energy to keep an outdoor space warm. Luckily there are infrared patio heaters that’ll leave you more satisfied than any other type of outdoor heater. 

3. Breath clean and allergy-free air.

In winter, the air in our homes feels a bit dry and forces us to invest in humidifiers. That is because heaters warm the air, making it extra dry. Infrared heaters work as humidifiers since they do not warm the air and do not push dust or allergens into the environment. If you’re having breathing problems, allergies, or you simply don’t like the dry winter air in your home, rest assured. Infrared heaters do not affect the air quality of your home. 

4. A relaxing choice for you and your family.

Infrared rays help you easing joint stiffness, improve blood circulation and boost the immune system. Many saunas use infrared radiation for the optimal experience. One more advantage is that they’re entirely silent and they won’t disturb your peace. 

5. They last for years and have a low running cost.

It is vital, of course, that your investment will last for years to come. Infrared heaters have long lifespans, and they don’t need any professional maintenance. They don’t have things that need to be changed regularly, like a filter or exhaust. 

What to look for when buying an Infrared Heater

When you’re researching infrared heaters, you should have in mind some key features that they have. Before going out and buy one, take a look at our list of things you should be aware of:

1. Types of infrared heaters

There are 2 main categories of infrared heaters, portable and fixed. Portable infrared heaters are small, lightweight and compact. They can be carried across different rooms of your house easily. They come with carrying handles and wheels, so they guarantee a hassle-free experience. Some of them come with permanent fixtures. To put it simply, they are considered the best option for zone heating. Fixed infrared heaters are larger and heavier than portable ones. They are capable of warming at least one large room. If you’re looking for a permanent solution, you should go for a fixed heater. They come with all the tools and the kit you need to install them. You can screw them on the wall or even on the ceiling. 

2. Power 

You should also pay attention to the power of the product. It depends on the size of the room you want to install it. The power range of the infrared heaters is 300-1500 watts (a standard household outlet can handle up to 1500 W). To save you some time, a 500-watt product should be able to cover a small space of 10 square metres easily. They have low wattages compared to other heating methods because they use radiant heat, and air only delivers warmth and does not raise the room’s temperature. 

3. Temperature range

It lets you know the temperature range you can reach. The range will be from 10 to 30 degrees Celsius. They come with an adjustable thermostat so that you can set the temperature you want at any time. They also allow you to set up heating schedules. The main benefit of the thermostats is that you can create heating zones, meaning that you can set different temperatures across your house and focus on the rooms you actually use and want to be warm. 

4. Stability

An upright heater without tilting over easily is a much safer unit to use. If you have children and pets in your home, go for a model with a wide and solid base for maximum stability than those with a narrow base or wheels. Also, check if the model has an automatic shut-off option in case of bumping or tipping-over. If you don’t want your heater standing on your feet, you can go for a wall-mounted one. You’ll barely notice it, plus most of them are stylish. 

5. Additional features

Some additional features you should consider as an extra and good to have: 

• Remote control: A heater with remote control will allow you to change the power settings from your sofa or bed without lifting a finger. The control has all the basic settings like the timer function, temperature range, controlling the amount of heat and turning on/off the device. 
• Wi-fi: It’s a smart feature that the majority of modern heaters have. You can control your heater from your smartphone via an app. Also, you can set up a heating schedule. 
• Fan: Some models are equipped with a blower that can speed up quite significantly the warming process. 
• Led display: Some infrared heaters have a led display that shows all the basic information you need, like heating settings, temperature, time, humidity.

Where should you install your infrared heater?

The location you want to install your heater is an essential factor to think about before pulling the trigger and buying one. Particularly if you are planning to go for a fixed heater since you won’t be able to move it from room to room. Things like the floor space the heater will cover, the room’s square metres, and the amount of furniture you have are important factors. The location and the floor space, for instance, should be well thought, since some heaters are horizontal while others are standing. If you are going for a portable one, you will be more flexible as you can put it wherever you want and in whatever room you need to warm. 

Is it safe to sleep with your infrared heater on?

That is the one million pounds question. The answer is yes. You can sleep with your heater on. It is important to think about safety since many fire accidents happen because of unattended infrared space heaters. You should invest in a heater with as many safety features as possible, especially if you have small children or pets, as they can bump into it and hurt themselves. At least they do not use propane or other flammable materials! Some of the major safety features are:

1. Tip-over protection

As the name suggests, it will turn off the heater in case of tipping over (the reasons may vary, from overload to power interruption). 

2. Overheat protection

This automatic feature shuts off the heater in case of overheating (the temperature reaches above the higher level). It’ll turn on again once the temperature is at normal levels.

3. Cool-touch housing

Many electric infrared heaters have a cool-to-touch exterior all the time. It is a must feature, especially if you have small children, as they can get burned if they touch the heater. 

So, infrared heaters are entirely safe as long as they have the safety features mentioned above. You can relax, enjoy a book, a movie, or take a nap while having your heater on.

How much should you spend on an Infrared Heater?

When it comes to prices, there is a variety of factors that can potentially affect the price. Generally, there are affordable heaters from 30£ and more high-end with plenty of different features that go well over 200£.

Affordable

This category included products from 30£ up to 100£. They are extremely good at warming up small spaces or even outdoor areas like a patio or a garden. They’ll do a pretty good job for their money, and they’ll undoubtedly leave you satisfied. They come in different sizes and designs, and the majority of them are portable, which means flexible and hassle-free. 

High-end

In this category, with a price range from 150£ to 300£, you can find pretty much everything you need: from heaters that can warm large places, indoors and outdoors, to heaters with various safety features, remote controls, wi-fi and smartphone apps. They’re modern, stylish, and more importantly, they’ll do a heck of a job. 

Closure

Choosing an infrared heater is not as straightforward as someone might think. There are many different things to be considered before pulling the trigger. From where to install it to what are its safety features. We recommend taking a good look at our guide, and the results won’t disappoint you! Infrared heaters are necessary for us in the cold UK and cost-effective compared to traditional central gas heating. This is the perfect time to invest in one! Are you ready to feel a regretless warmth?