Exploring The Question – Can An Infrared Heater Help Me Save Money?

As the winter months are approaching more and more individuals are considering their heating options. Maybe last year you had an enormous heating bill. Perhaps, your central heating and air unit needs major repairs and you just can’t afford to have it repaired. Whatever situation you are facing, you always have the option of purchasing an inexpensive infrared heater.

Even if you are just experiencing cold spots in certain areas of the house, infrared heaters are a great solution, but can they actually save you money, or are just burning more electricity?

There are several different factors that can determine the answer to question.

Below, you will learn important information about infrared heaters and how they work.

Understanding The Different Types Of Heat

Can an Infrared Heater Help Me Save Money

It is important that you understand an infrared heater works quite a bit differently than central heating and air systems. For instance, infrared heaters produce what is known as radiant heat, which is similar to that of the sun.

When radiant heat touches an object it converts that object into heat, so a radiant heater is much better at targeting of focusing on a certain area when compared to a central heating and air system. If you were sitting at your office freezing to death an infrared heater focused at your desk would keep you warm, even if you had the front door wide open the heather would keep you feeling warm.

A central heating and air system is known as a forced convection heat, because they utilize a fan to circulate heat throughout the home. Hot air is forced through air ducts that travel to vents, which are strategically placed throughout the home.

These vents are usually placed in locations, where heat loss is the biggest concern. For instance, if you have a central heating and air system, you will probably notice that you have several vents located by the windows and doors in the home.

Space heaters are known as a convention heat because they spread heat around a room. The heat produced by a space heater works very similar to the heat produced by a central heating and air system. The only difference is that space heaters does not use a fan to circulate the area. So, when it comes to targeting a certain area with a space heater it can be very difficult.

Unique And Stylish Designs Of The Infrared Heater

Infrared heaters have become extremely popular over the past several years. Due to this fact, manufacturers are always trying to out each other with different unique and stylish designs. You no longer have to worry about your infrared heater looking like a sore thumb sitting in the middle of your living room.

These heaters are available in unique cherry wood designs, or you can do with a plain black or white style. Regardless, of what color or style of heater you need to match the interior of your home, you will be able to find it without a problem.

Baseboard Infrared Heaters

Many older homes are installed with baseboard infrared heaters, which are perfect for heating up an entire home. Most of these heaters have been replaced with heating and air conditioning units to make the homes more modern. However, if you are considering these heaters over a HVAC unit, you should start doing your research, so you can form the correct decision.

One of the first things you will need to consider, when shopping for new baseboard heaters is the size of your home. Many consumers are drawn to these units because they are low profile and extremely easy to install.

If you do decide to go this route, you will need to install the infrared heaters in specific areas in each room, so it will provide surround heating. The placement is extremely important, because you do not want any cold spots to chill your bones.

Instant Heat

It can take forever for a conventional heater to warm up a room. In fact, it may take up to 30 to 45 minutes, before the room is warm and cozy. Well, this is unlike the infrared heater, which produces a steady stream of heat immediately.

The infrared rays will push the heat outward, so they warm everything in its path. You must consider the fact that most people, who use infrared heaters, will only use them for keeping their body warm, while they are watching TV.

If you are looking for a heater to keep a specific zone in your home comfortable and cozy, you should definitely keep the infrared heater on your prospect list. The heater is capable of emitting a precise beam of heat, heating the area in the path of the beams instantly. This is unlike the conventional heater, in that it warms the air, in an attempt the warm the entire zone.

High Air Quality

Can an Infrared Heater Help Me Save Money

Using infrared heaters to warm your home, will definitely improve the indoor air quality. These heaters do not product combustion or toxic chemical, so they basically do not add anything to the environment. Asthma sufferers prefer this type of heater for this very reason, reducing the allergens that cause asthma attacks.

Infrared beams are gentle and will not dry out your skin or the environment. When you consider these facts, you could not possible go wrong with infrared heaters.

Energy Efficiency

To answer the very important question, “Can an infrared heater help me save money” one must do a bit of calculating. It is extremely difficult to get a precise calculation on how much a heating and air-conditioning unit, because it is equipped with so many different components.

However, the manufacturer will give you a proximate number, since the unit has undergone rigorous testing processes. The size of the home, insulation, ceiling height and other factors must all be calculated into the mix.

Now, it must easier to figure out how much an infrared heater can save you on your utility bills. Small infrared heaters only use around 300 watts of power, but larger units will use up to 1500 watts or more. This number is extremely important, so it will help you determine the actual amount of the cost.

The next number that will play a huge role in the calculation process is the amount that your energy provider charges for each kilowatt of power you use. You will need to multiply the 1500 watts or 1.5 kilowatts by the energy provider’s cost. This may be around 15 or 20 cents, depending on where you live.

Multiple 1.5 by .20 to come up with the precise hourly costs, which is .30 cents. Now, you must also consider how many infrared heaters you have in your home.

If you have 10 baseboard heaters, you will need to multiply the .30 centers by 10, which will total up to $3.00 an hour. You will then need to compare this number, with the number that the manufacturer provided you earlier.

Maintenance

Heating and air conditioning units require routine maintenance, which is only normal. Most people do not know how to approach this task, so they hire a licensed HVAC technician to do the job. The fees charged by these professionals will vary from one company to another.

However, most of these companies will charge by the hour, so you may end up spending anywhere around $100 to $200 easily. Of course, you could always learn how to do the job yourself and eliminate this cost all together.

The air filters must also be replaced at least twice a year. Depending on the type of unit you own, air filters can be rather expensive. Say you spend $25 on a pack of six filters, which can potentially last 2 to 3 years it is still an extra expense.

When you consider these expenses and the fact that an infrared heater requires minimal maintenance, you will immediately discover that the heater is more cost efficient. Now, you will need to clean the reflectors routinely, but this is a simple process that can be completed in a matter of minutes.

Dry Heat, Not A Problem

Conventional heaters are highly known for drawing the moisture out of the indoor environment.

This is extremely frustrating for the family that resides in the home, because it can cause dry, itchy skin and dry nasal passages. Infrared heaters do not draw the moisture out of the environment, which is a huge benefit for everyone.

Many people that opt to use conventional heaters will need to have a backup plan in place, which often involves a humidifier.

However, this is an additional electrical unit that you are adding to your home, which will drive up your energy bill even more.