How to choose an infrared heater for dacha and whether it needs a thermostat or not?

Selecting the ideal heating solution is essential for creating a warm and inviting dacha. Because of their efficacy and efficiency, infrared heaters have become more and more popular; however, choosing the right one can be difficult. With so many models and features at your disposal, it’s critical to know what to look for in order to make the best decision for your area.

First and foremost, think about your dacha’s dimensions and arrangement. Instead of heating the air, infrared heaters work by radiating heat, which warms objects directly. They are therefore perfect for cramped quarters or niches inside larger rooms. To determine the right size and quantity of heaters required, measure the rooms or areas that need to be heated.

Whether a thermostat is necessary for your infrared heater is another crucial thing to think about. A thermostat may need to be purchased separately for certain models, while others may already have one built in. With the help of a thermostat, you can set and remember a preferred temperature for your dacha, keeping them comfortable without causing wasteful energy use.

Nevertheless, your usage habits and preferred level of heating will determine whether or not you require a thermostat. You might be able to do without a thermostat if you only intend to use the heater occasionally or in areas where precise temperature control is not required. However, if you want to use the heater frequently or maintain a constant temperature, getting a thermostat can help you save energy and increase comfort.

Take into account the infrared heater’s convenience and simplicity of use as well. Look for features that make operation easy and convenient, like remote controls, programmable timers, and heat settings that can be adjusted. To ensure peace of mind when using the heater, pay attention to the safety features as well, such as tip-over protection and overheating protection.

Considerations for Choosing an Infrared Heater for Your Dacha	Does it Need a Thermostat?
Size of the Area to Heat	If you have a small space, a heater with lower wattage might suffice. For larger areas, you"ll need a more powerful heater.
Portability	If you want to move the heater around, look for one with wheels or a lightweight design.
Indoor or Outdoor Use	Ensure the heater is suitable for outdoor use if you plan to use it in open spaces like a dacha.
Energy Efficiency	Check for energy-saving features to keep your electricity bills in check.
Thermostat	A thermostat can help maintain a consistent temperature, saving energy and ensuring comfort. It"s especially useful if you"ll be leaving the heater unattended.

Operating principle of the infrared heater

It is essential to recall the classical heating system’s operational scheme in order to comprehend the unique principle of operation of infrared heaters.

In contrast to the traditional heating scheme

In the first scenario, heat transfer from the device itself is sacrificed in order to heat the room. The room gets warmer when heat is released from the walls. The straightforward idea is sometimes ineffective because it is severely constrained by the heater’s own size.

Convection is the basis for how the second type of heating works.

Convection heaters

This technique is closely related to the previously discussed principle of heat exchange; however, in this case, warm air streams are forced to circulate. Generally speaking, devices have unique fans that produce convection flows. Although this approach is more efficient than a conventional heat exchanger, it has drawbacks.

Uneven heating happens frequently. Furthermore, these gadgets detract from coziness. Draughts, excessive noise, and dust transfer all contribute negatively to a comfortable home environment.

Ceiling-mounted infrared heater

Finally, we reach the most crucial point: the infrared heater’s principle of operation, which operates on an entirely different framework.

The way in which an infrared heater works

Here, the room heats up as a result of electromagnetic waves propagating within a specific range: between the microwave radio emission region (between 1000 and 2000 microns) and the visible light spectrum’s red boundary (wavelength of 0.74 microns).

This operating principle is derived from nature. All living things require heat, which our planet obtains from the sun’s energy streams in this way. These waves are invisible to the atmosphere and do not become blocked. As a result, when they reach Earth, they warm everything that is opaque (in terms of wave physics). Additionally, they heat the air in turn.

If thermal radiation creates heating in heaters operating according to a classical scheme, electromagnetic waves produce heating in infrared devices. A room’s microclimate cannot be comfortably maintained by devices that use the heat energy release scheme, particularly if the space is larger than 15 square meters.

High IR efficiency in comparison to a conventional heating system

The IR heater operates on an alternative theory. It emits invisible red arrows, or infrared rays, in a specific direction. These rays do not heat the air; rather, they provide thermal energy to all opaque objects, such as walls, curtains, furniture, and so on. However, this is not the only way to heat the air. д. Subsequently, the room’s fundamental heat exchange mechanism is activated.

Design of infrared devices

Concept for using an infrared heater to heat a dacha room

The following components make up the IR heater’s design:

• reflector;
• heater;
• radiator;
• housing;
• insulator.

One thing that you should consider carefully when selecting a dacha device model is the heater. Devices made of stainless steel with anodic coating are excellent indicators of durability and dependability.

Reflector (from the back)

The thickness of the reflector foil must be at least 130 microns for the heater to operate normally. Its excessive thinness will drastically lower the device’s performance and lifespan.

Heat retention is the function of the insulator. While there are many materials that can be used for this, basalt is thought to be one of the best.

Advantages and disadvantages of the infrared heater

The following benefits of infrared heaters can be noted thanks to this principle of operation:

Benefits of infrared heating

• Comfortable microclimate in the house. Heats not only the area near the heater, but also in the entire room. In addition, thanks to the principle of radiation of electromagnetic waves, the floor, walls, household items are warmed up. Unlike convection radiators, where only the air is heated, all clothes, blankets, carpets will also be warm.

A cozy little environment inside the home

The house has a favorable microclimate.

The infrared heater’s mobility

An artistic infrared heater integrated into a wall painting

Infrared heaters have some obvious benefits, but they also have some drawbacks.

• Low power devices cannot maintain a comfortable microclimate in all corners of the room. Usually, when leaving the reach of the rays, a significant drop in temperature is felt.
• The second disadvantage is associated with the impact on the human body. Although the safety of infrared heaters has long been scientifically proven, there are cases of individual intolerance to electromagnetic waves.

It is not advised to stare at the infrared heater for an extended period of time.

The repercussions of short circuiting

How does an infrared heater with a thermostat work??

The only way an infrared heater with a thermoregulator differs from a regular one is that the thermoregulator keeps the set temperature mode. This enables you to save electricity and create a cozy microclimate in the space. It automatically turns off when it reaches the desired temperature and doesn’t operate again until the room temperature falls below the desired level.

The life of the owners is greatly complicated if such a device is devoid of a thermostat. Ultimately, you will need to manually switch the device on and off while keeping an eye on the room’s temperature.

Ordinary infrared devices and those with integrated thermostats are identical in terms of heating efficiency. They produce a natural heat exchange in the space and heat objects equally well.

Types of infrared heaters

There are many infrared heaters with thermoregulators available on the market today. These heaters vary in size, design, and technical features, as well as in how they are installed.

IR heater classification

Let’s examine the primary classification so you can make an informed decision and buy the best IR heater model for your dacha.

By location

• Ceiling. The device is mounted directly on the ceiling. It saves space in the room, but here you should take into account the rule: the higher the ceiling, the greater the power of the device should be bought. Conversely, houses with low ceilings are not suitable for powerful appliances.

IR heater in the ceiling

As long as the ceilings are high enough, the ceiling model’s unquestionable benefit is the room’s even heating. Refusing this kind of device is preferable if the room is relatively low in height.

Wall-mounted. Convenient mounting on the wall allows you to save space, freeing up the space of the room. In appearance very similar to a radiator (radiator).

Infrared heater attached to the wall

Very helpful advice! You can order a wall-mounted infrared heater with a photo or any other image if you want to elegantly decorate your house.

Elegant infrared heater mounted on the wall

Naturally, such a device will cost a lot more, but its original design will continue to be appealing.

• Mobile. This is the most versatile option, as it allows it to be moved from room to room as needed. It is a small heating device, installed on the floor and operating from the network. Some models are equipped with a gas powered element, which eliminates the need to connect to the power grid. Such models are characterized by high efficiency (98-99%) and are characterized by safety of operation, as they have protection against tipping over and immediately shut off. Mobility is perhaps the most important advantage of such devices, because they can always be moved to a cooler part of the room, creating a pleasant atmosphere.

By type of construction

• Panel. The device is a thin panel of rectangular or square shape, inside of which there are heating elements.

For home use, panel IR heater

Lightbulbs serve as a source of heat

Infrared film warmer

By radiation intensity

The IR heater’s intensity of radiation

• The most powerful devices operate in the short wavelength range (from 0.74 µm to 2.5 µm). Since they have a large coverage area, these models are usually purchased for heating shopping centers, cafes, restaurants, etc.д. For safety reasons, they are not used for domestic purposes, such as heating a workshop or shopping center. An excellent solution is to place IR devices of this power on the outdoor terraces of cafes.
• Medium power devices have a radiation range from 2.5 µm to 50 µm. They are usually purchased also for public needs and are located in cafes, salons, stores.

Infrared short wave

By the type of heat carrier used

• Electric. This type of heater is the safest, versatile and practical. In such devices, there is necessarily present TEN, from which there is electromagnetic radiation. Special reflectors ensure the transmission of the radiant energy flow. To improve performance, reflectors made of steel or aluminum, most often manufacturers give the shape of a spiral or sphere.
• Gas. These devices work independently from the power grid and are connected to a cylinder with liquefied gas (propane). As a rule, such units are chosen for heating workshops, household premises. Adjustment of the intensity of the device is made with a rotary tap that sets the rate of gas flow into the device.

Infrared heater powered by gas

Video: Compact gas infrared heater.

According to the material of manufacture of the heating element

• Ceramics. Inside the heater there are ceramic plates on which the heat is evenly distributed. They are characterized by high performance and allow you to save up to 35% of electricity. The plate made of ceramic is not a single molded form, but consists of many individual elements. This allows you to increase resistance to mechanical damage and make the design more durable.

Infrared heater made of ceramic

Fiber carbon

Advantages of infrared heaters with thermoregulator

1. Electricity saving. Given that the set temperature of the room is provided by a thermoregulator, the total operating time per day is approximately 12-13 hours. Thus, electricity costs are almost halved.
2. Convenience of use. Needless to say, it is very convenient for home owners to set the temperature in the house once and quietly go about their daily business. The mechanism itself will turn off when the temperature rises to a critical point, and after the air in the room cools down and the set temperature decreases, the device will automatically resume operation.

Thermoregulator: affordable, safe, and practical

Differentiate between heaters that are low, medium, and high in temperature.

• 300-1200 degrees Celsius – high-temperature;
• 60-500 degrees Celsius – medium temperature;
• up to 60 degrees Celsius – low-temperature.

How to choose an infrared heater for dacha?

Now that we have discussed the primary category of infrared heaters, let us decide which model would be most appropriate for the dacha.

Selecting the ideal summer house model

• The safest and most practical option by type of heat carrier will be an electric device.
• Choosing the range of waves, give preference to long-wave radiation (50-1000 km). For the human body it is the most optimal range of action.
• The power of the device is often a fundamental criterion when choosing an IR heater. Here there is a simple calculation – 100 W/1 m 2 . Therefore, it will not be difficult for you to determine the required power of the unit. If you are looking for a device for a dacha, which is not characterized by good thermal insulation, then the specific power of the device can be taken a little higher (120 W/1 m 2 ).

The device’s power

The area in the room shouldn’t be cluttered by the IR heater.

To help you select the ideal model for your dacha, let’s take a quick look at the most popular infrared heaters available.

Which thermostat to choose?

Generally speaking, all infrared heaters with thermostats work on the same principle. The working principles of the temperature control devices themselves vary, though.

The simplest and most budget-friendly option is a step thermostat. Each heating element is switched on separately, depending on the temperature in the room. The possibility of switching off the heating element after a set period of time is not provided in this case.

Thermostat in mechanical form

Thermostat electronic

Intelligent thermostat

The thermostats inside and outside are also divided.

The device’s installation process is considerably facilitated by the internal thermostat that is integrated into the body. There isn’t any additional wiring required. However, this kind of gadget has a drawback. The temperature near the heater, which is not always the same as the room temperature, causes such a thermostat to react critically. In this instance, it’s possible that the thermostat will set itself off early, preventing the room from being adequately warmed.

IR heaters with external thermostats

Installing an external thermostat involves a certain level of expertise. However, because it measures the temperature inside the room rather than in close proximity to the infrared heater’s body, its readings will always be accurate.

Selecting the ideal infrared heater for your dacha is crucial for both efficiency and comfort. With so many options at your disposal, it’s critical to take your individual requirements and preferences into account.

First, determine how big the area is that needs to be heated. While smaller spaces can be sufficiently heated with smaller units, larger spaces might need more potent heaters. Think about how your dacha is laid out and if there are any obstructions that could interfere with the heat distribution.

The kind of infrared heater is a crucial consideration as well. There are several varieties available, such as ceramic and radiant infrared heaters. Ceramic heaters employ a heating element to warm the air, whereas radiant heaters directly radiate heat onto objects and people. Select the kind that best meets your preferences and heating requirements.

Think about your usage habits and desired level of energy efficiency when choosing whether to purchase a heater with a thermostat. A thermostat can potentially save energy and lower utility costs by assisting in the maintenance of a constant temperature and preventing overheating. On the other hand, you might choose a model without a thermostat if you have a smaller budget or would rather have more manual control over your heater.

The ideal infrared heater for your dacha will ultimately depend on a number of variables, including the size of the area, your preferred mode of heating, and your financial situation. To make sure you make an informed choice that satisfies your needs, take the time to investigate and contrast various options.

When selecting an infrared heater for your dacha, there are key considerations to ensure optimal comfort and efficiency. Firstly, assess the size of the area you need to heat, as this determines the heater"s power requirements. Next, consider the heater"s features, such as adjustable heat settings and portability, to suit your specific needs. Importantly, decide whether you require a thermostat, which regulates temperature automatically, providing convenience and energy savings. A thermostat ensures consistent warmth without manual adjustments, ideal for maintaining comfort levels in varying conditions. However, if you prefer manual control or have a small space, a heater without a thermostat may suffice. Ultimately, the choice between a heater with or without a thermostat depends on your preferences and the dacha"s heating requirements.

Video on the topic

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Infrared heaters IkoLine, EBERLE RTR-E 3563 thermoregulator, installation.