Electric Heating Systems

There are many benefits for buildings by converting to Infrared Heating and the ease of conversion is an added bonus (if you can hang a picture, you can install an Infrared heater).

The main differences also help you understand how infrared heating works and why it is so different from convection-based heating (see former post on this subject).

Convection-based heating warms the air: warm air is damp air and settles on walls and other cold surfaces. Infrared heating only heats objects (such as walls and furniture) - so these objects and masonry now remain dry. No more musty sofas and damp walls. No more unsightly masonry, salt-damp, or expensive re-paint or repair jobs.

Many other types of heater require insulation behind the heat source to protect the wall and to prevent cold walls from chilling the room. No additional insulation is necessary for infrared heating which works by heating the walls (and other objects) which then reflect the heat into the room. (This doesn't discount the need for insulation to eliminate draughts and avoid unneccessary wasted heat. But my point is you don't need additional insulation to actually allow the heater to work in the first place).

Damp masonry also conducts more heat away from the heat source than dry masonry which tends to reflect heat back towards the heat source (thereby heating the room and its occupants better.

Convection heating creates heat layering within a room and this causes discomfort and draughts. There is no such heat layering or draughts with IR.

Traditional heating is typically (and increasingly) expensive to buy and because of the many moving parts implies interim service costs and makes the product life uncertain. The requirement to store fuel implies storage and delivery costs (quite apart from the rising energy costs which will be subject to a later post). Many traditional heaters also require a chimney or flue to evacuate waste gasses. None of the above applies to Infrared Heating!

Traditional heaters typically require an expert to install. As I say, if you have a powerpoint and can hang a picture, you can install your own IR heaters.

In this post, we are going to briefly look at the health benefits of Infrared Heating. Later posts will look at energy-savings and installation / building benefits.

Infrared heating is "heat - as nature intended". It is perhaps one of the most basic, original forms of heat known to man. Radiant heat is how we experience the heat of the sun.

An experiment at the John B. Pierce Laboratory, USA, clarified the human perception of radiant Vs convected heat:

"Test persons in a room with a temperature of 50°C (122°F) of warm air and cooled walls froze deplorably; when in a room with a temperature of 10°C (50°F) and warm walls, they broke into an unpleasant sweat. (source: Techn. Info “Strahlungsenergie – die Ur-Energie, neu entdeckt, TT Technotherm GmbH, Nürnberg".)

i.e. we feel comfortable feeling radiant heat, irrespective of the surrounding air temperature.

And indeed, because infrared heating does not heat-up the surrounding air this adds further health advantages to just "feeling well":

- No draughts to cause sudden chills, uneven layers of heat
- No stirring-up of dust or germs (hence the interest in Infrared Heating from Hospitals)
- Objects such as walls and furniture heat up, therefore dispelling any resident moisture. Therefore mould and mildew are discouraged.

Infrared heating stimulates the immune system and discourages disease that emanates from the combination of heat and damp (milder forms of Foehn disorder found in the tropics). Illness at the workplace increases with the presence of poor convection heating and cooling (and the usual imbalance between the two). Workplace asthma and bronchial infection are largely caused by convection heating and cooling systems and they are on the increase.

Note: I haven't called this "How do infrared heaters" work. Today's post is a discussion about physics. We'll leave the technical "how do the heaters themselves work?" discussion to a later post.

Infrared heating is probably the most original, natural form of heating you can experience. It is how we experience the heat from the sun, even though it is 92 million miles away across the cold depths of space.

Infrared heat does not require a medium (like air or water) through which to travel - and does not require that medium itself to get heated up (unlike heat emitted from fan heaters, gas heaters, convection radiators etc). (This is partly why it is so energy-efficient).

Infrared waves lie outside the visible spectrum of light in the long wavelength low frequency side of the electromagnetic spectrum. The long wavelength of Red light is why sunsets and sunrises are red, as all other colours wavelengths get slowed and dissipated by the relatively "thick" slice of atmosphere being pierced by the early morning or late evening sun.

Incidentally, you'll see plenty of websites touting "far infrared" as a description of IR heating because it has incorrectly become a popular search term - which is why people use it in their sites. But this phrase is a complete mis-nomer for the thermal infrared used in heaters (ultra long wavelength IR is more commonly used in lasers!). However, it is generally true that IR of any wavelength will heat up the surface it touches. But be careful who you listen to.

Infrared waves produce a sensation of heat by vibrating molecules of the surface they strike. This vibration consequently creates heat and a sensation of heat AND IS ENTIRELY INDEPENDENT OF THE TEMPERATURE OF THE SURROUNDING AIR. This is key. It is an entirely natural sensation of heat, like feeling the first rays of the sun on a cool morning. It is efficient, both because the creation of the waves in the first place is energy-efficient and because energy is not lost "in transit" through the medium between you and the heat source (i.e. air). It is perceived directly on your skin (or an item you touch).

This, in brief, is how infrared heating works and why it is energy efficient. In later posts we'll look in much more detail at energy savings, health benefits and installation benefits of infrared heating and even how the heaters themselves work.

OK, stewardship of the planet, "going green", saving the environment is a great thought, but when it comes down to it, most of us aren't likely to swap our existing home or office heating systems just because it is good for the planet. And whilst by and large, infrared heaters are energy-saving and you will be doing your bit for the planet - which is great - it isn't most peoples' primary motivator.


Most people's experience of switching is either because they see an opportunity in IR heaters for cost-savings and capitalising on tax-breaks available, or because their existing heating is in need of replacement and it makes sense to upgrade and then also reap the cheaper running costs, tax breaks, greater reliability, rather than just swap like-for-like with the old unit (of whatever sort that was).

For new build houses, building developers and planners definitely can increase their annual points against carbon emission targets by adopting infra red and the new home / office occupier can benefit immediately from reduced energy bills.

Infrared Heaters, in their correct niche, deliver all of the above benefits. So it really does make sense to consider changing.

Where would you use Infrared Heaters as opposed to other sorts of heater? (i.e. what is the correct niche?)

Where a building has an existing central heating system using heated water, it would not make sense to consider replacing the system with infrared heat, unless for specific circumstances your plan is to eliminate the closed water system all together. But where the presence of the water system is not in question, you are better advised to consider an air-to-water or ground-to-water heat pump or combination heat pump and solar for this type of application and maybe just use IR heat for top-up.

Infrared heating really comes into its own when you are considering heating open spaces in which for reasons of practicality, cost and elegance (in any combination), you cannot use central heating and choose to find energy-efficient alternatives to existing electric heaters, blowers, or gas heaters.

So:
Infrared heating is great because - given the right brand - it can be very discreet - or made to fit-in with overall decor without looking like "just a heater". Gone are the clunky radiators and stand-alone gas heaters or electric heaters or bar fires. An IR element can be placed very discreetly in panels, mirrors, replica works of art, or ornaments suspended from the ceiling. So you really don't need to know they're there. Take a look at this room with a Redwell Infrared heater. Can you see where it is?

Anywhwere you can route a power supply, you can place an IR heater. So you are not constrained to position the heat source where it is convenient "for it". You can locate it where it is convenient for you. In certain applications this means you also don't need so many heaters in a given room.

Infrared heating heats objects, not the air, so again, you can place them for maximum effect for heating people and the room and don't waste energy just heating up the air in the room. No draughts ensue. No 'layers' of heat distribution in the air.

Infrared heaters have no moving parts, so heaters of a reputable brand are incredibly long-living. There is no interim service needed either. (But do ask your distributor about reliability. Like everything, there are reliable and unreliable brands).

Infrared heaters are not necessarily expensive to purchase.

Infrared heating of the right brand is up to 70 percent more energy efficient than other traditional types of heating. So you will save money on your electric bills and also help reduce carbon emissions and safeguard the environment. (Please note not all brands of Infrared Heating give up to this amount of energy-efficiency. Make sure you do you homework with your supplier).

If you have a heating requirement that sounds like Infrared heating could fit the bill, then consider pursuing it with a trusted adviser. Green Energy (Eu) Ltd exists precisely to help customers make the right choice.

In subsequent posts, we'll look at the energy-savings, health benefits, and building and installation benefits of Infrared Heating.

We'll also look at "how does infrared heating work?" and show you some typical products and applications of it.

Gas hot water heaters have been heating the water for many businesses and households for many years. In fact when people turn on their hot water faucet to shave, shower, wash dishes, wash clothes or wash their hands, it is safe to say that not many individuals think of their gas hot water heater.

However, if that flow of hot water stopped it would be a different story. This is because having hot water is a convenience that not many people think about until it is no longer available.

Therefore, it may prove beneficial to have a little knowledge regarding a gas hot water heater. Specifically, how a gas hot water heater works and what are some things that could go wrong to make this type of heater inoperable.

How A Gas Hot Water Heater Works

A gas hot water heater is a modern day appliance that quietly functions in some remote place within the building. Specifically, the holding tank for the water comes in different sizes. Some of those different sizes could include a 10, 20, 30 or 40 gallon hot water tank. The tank is connected to two water lines. The one line leads into the tank and allows the flow of water. The other pipe leads away from the tank and carries the hot water throughout the facility.

In addition, this type of tank utilizes natural gas as the main energy source to heat up the water in the tank. The temperature of the hot water is controlled by a thermostat. When the water in the tank falls below the setting of the thermostat, the thermostat sends a signal to the gas burner to engage. This process then heats up the water in the tank until that temperature setting is reached. Once the temperature setting is reached the thermostat then sends another electrical signal to deactivate the gas burner.

When there is a demand for hot water within the facility the water then flows from the outgoing pipe to where the hot water is required. Once there is an outflow of hot water from the tank there's a corresponding flow of new water into the tank which then repeats the thermostat process of heating up the water to the required temperature.

Things That Could Go Wrong

As with any modern day convenience, there are a number of things that can go wrong with the natural gas water heater. One of the primary things that can cause a disruption in the hot water service is for the thermostat to malfunction.

Another item that could go wrong, but is less costly concerns the pilot light. The pilot light is that particular part of the natural gas water heater that constantly is aflame. Once the thermostat signals to the heating unit that the water needs to be heated the gas then begins to flow and the flame ignites the gas that flows throughout the burner system. Therefore, one of the less costlier things that can happen to stop the flow of hot water is for the pilot light to go out.

Generally, for the most part today, having running water in the home is a convenience that many take for granted. In addition, having hot water is also something that is taken for granted unless something happens mechanically and we need to call a plumber.

If we were to think of all the everyday occurrences when hot water came out of the faucet we might appreciate this convenience a bit more. Examples of when this occurs are our daily shower, washing our hands, doing the dishes, cleaning clothes, etc.

In addition, there are many methods by which water can be heated. Our water can be heated through an electric water heater, solar power and by using a gas water heater.

Utilizing a gas water heater has been a choice of many households for a number of reasons. Therefore, if considering this method of water heating it is important to understand how a gas water heater works and its benefits.

How A Gas Water Heater Works

A gas water heater is a combination of gas and electrical appliance that heats up water within a home or business so that the individuals within that facility can have access to hot water. Basically, there are two types of water heaters. One is a gas water heater while the other one is an electric water heater.

The basic difference between the two is that one of the units, the electric water heater, utilizes heating elements within the tank to heat up the water that is within the tank. With the gas water heater the water within the tank is heated through a gas burner located at the bottom of the unit.

Basically the water enters the units through a separate tube. The heating of the water is regulated by a separate device mounted on the water heater. That separate device is called a thermostat. When the thermostat is set to a certain temperature and the water within the tank falls below that temperature, the thermostat sends a signal to the heating unit calling for activation. This activation then heats up the water to that temperature and the hot water is then ready to be used. The flow of the hot water is accomplished through the hot water pipes within the facility.

Benefits

It can be argued that the gas hot water heater is better than the electric water heater and vice versa. Generally, this argument is based on the costs associated with heating water and passing those costs on to the consumer. Frequently, the costs are associated with the energy system that is utilized.

For example with the gas hot water heater the energy source is a combination of gas and electricity. Whereas, the electric water heater utilizes electricity as its energy source. Therefore, depending upon which geographical location the household or business is located would determine the cost factors associated with utilization of electricity or gas.

Electric Heating Elements make the industrial world Hot.