Head-to-Head: Halogen vs Infrared Heaters
With winter quickly approaching and temperatures rapidly dropping, many of us will be starting to think about getting the heating cranked up once again. Electric heaters are a great option for a quick heat source that can easily be moved around as needed and can be a great option for outdoor heating. Two popular options are halogen heaters and infrared heaters. On the face of it, these two types of electric heaters may seem the same since halogen heaters do utilise infrared radiation in their overall mechanism. However, there are some key differences that allow each type of heater to have its own unique advantages and disadvantages. In this post, we will discuss the features of each, compare the heating mechanisms, and explore the cost-efficiency considerations. By the end, you will hopefully be armed with enough information to decide which option will suit your needs and use cases.
Halogen Heaters
How Halogen Heaters Work
Halogen heaters are a type of electric heater that uses halogen bulbs to generate heat. These bulbs contain a tungsten filament that is heated by an electric current, which in turn emits infrared radiation. The infrared radiation is then absorbed by a quartz or ceramic element, which heats up and radiates heat into the surrounding area.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Halogen Heaters
Halogen heaters have several advantages over other types of heaters. For one, they produce heat instantly, allowing them to heat up a room quickly. They are also relatively small and portable, making them easy to move from room to room. Additionally, they are very quiet and do not produce any fumes or odours.
However, there are also some disadvantages to using halogen heaters. For example, they can be quite expensive to purchase initially. They also require a lot of electricity to operate, which can lead to high energy bills if used frequently for long periods of time. Additionally, they can be dangerous if not used properly, as the bulbs can get very hot, making them a potential fire risk. However, most halogen heaters on the market have safety features that can mitigate these risks to some degree.
Key Features of Halogen Heaters
Some key features and benefits of halogen heaters that are worth considering include:
Energy efficiency: While they generally require a lot of electricity to operate, halogen heaters are energy-efficient in terms of converting electricity into heat. They can produce heat almost instantly and release radiant heat that effectively warms a small area, reducing the amount of energy consumed by the heater.
Portability: Halogen heaters are relatively small and lightweight, making them easy to move from room to room.
Quiet operation: Halogen heaters operate quietly and do not produce any fumes or odours.
Rapid heating: Halogen heaters can heat up a room quickly when compared to central heating systems, making them great when you need to quickly heat yourself up.
Safety features: Many halogen heaters come with safety features such as tip-over protection and overheat protection, which can help prevent accidents.
halogen heater top picks
SIP 09586 Universal Electric Halogen Heater With Remote Control 2kW 230V
The SIP 09586 Halogen Heater is a versatile and efficient heating solution that can be used both indoors and outdoors. With two heat settings to choose from, you can select either 1kW or 2kW of heat output, making it perfect for patios, garages, or workshops. The heater is wall-mounted and comes with a remote control to adjust the heat output as per your preference.
The SIP 09586 heater offers a clean heat output of 2kW (6,820 BTU) or 1kW (3,412BTU) from the halogen infrared lamp sat within a robust aluminium frame. The heater is energy-efficient and consumes 30-40% less electricity compared to other electric heaters. It is rated to IP44, making it suitable for outdoor use.
The SIP 09586 Halogen Heater is designed to provide you with a comfortable environment while being environmentally friendly. It is easy to install and can be used with an optional stand that can be purchased separately.
SIP 09588 Electric Freestanding Halogen Heater 2kW 230V
The SIP 09588 Halogen Heater is a versatile and efficient heating solution that can be used both indoors and outdoors. With a freestanding design, the infrared heater offers an impressive 6,820 BTU/hr (2kW) of heat output, making it perfect for keeping you warm and cosy in your home or workspace.
The heater offers a clean source of heat and can be used indoors. With an IP44 rating, it can also be used outside as a garden patio heater, adding a warm ambience to your outdoor space.
The SIP 09588 Halogen Heater features a safety tilt switch that automatically turns off the power if the heater is accidentally knocked over. This ensures that you and your loved ones are safe from any potential hazards.
Infrared Heaters
How infrared heaters work
Infrared heaters are a type of heating appliance that uses electromagnetic radiation to transfer energy from a high-temperature emitter to a cooler object. The heat they emit is similar to the heat we feel from the sun on a cold day. The wavelength of the peak of the infrared radiation ranges from 750 nm to 1 mm, depending on the temperature of the emitter.
Advantages and disadvantages of infrared heaters
Infrared heaters have several advantages over other types of heaters. For one, they are energy-efficient, as they transfer heat directly to objects and surfaces rather than heating the surrounding air. This means that less energy is wasted as the heating action is more direct. Additionally, like halogen heaters, they are very quiet and do not produce any fumes or odours.
However, there are also some disadvantages to using infrared heaters. For example, they can be quite expensive to purchase initially, more so than halogen heaters in many cases. They also have a limited range and may struggle to provide warmth in larger spaces.
Key features of infrared heaters
Some key features and benefits of infrared heaters that are worth considering include:
Cost efficiency: Infrared heaters are a popular choice for those trying to keep on top of their energy bills. They are very energy-efficient, generally costing less to run than conventional fan heaters, most ceramic fan heaters, and even oil-filled radiators. Infrared heaters have no moving parts, and, just like the sun, the heat they emit cuts right through the air to alight on objects in the room – be that a living thing or a solid item. Since infrared heaters consume far less electricity than fan heaters and even most oil-filled radiators, they’re quickly becoming a very popular – and hugely effective – choice for those trying to keep on top of their energy bills. Infrared heaters are close to 100% efficient, which means they convert almost 100% of the electricity they consume into heat. They produce instant heat, and almost all the heat produced is transferred out.
Instant heat: Infrared heaters warm the area in front of them practically instantly, with heat being delivered within as little as 30 seconds.
Input/ output efficiency: As already mentioned, infrared heaters are considered cheaper to run compared to electrical convection heaters, oil heaters and gas heaters. This is in part thanks to how much heat they can produce for a given input. Infrared heaters can provide the same amount of heat as electrical convection heaters for considerably less electrical input. In some cases, infrared heaters can provide comparable heat levels while only consuming a third of the power.
Infrared heater top picks
Sealey IWMH1809R High-Efficiency Carbon Fibre Infrared Wall Heater 1800W/230V
The Sealey IWMH1809R High Efficiency Carbon Fibre Infrared Wall Heater is a powerful and efficient heating solution that is perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. This heater provides a totally dry heat, with no condensation, gas fumes, or smell, making it ideal for use in any environment. The Highly polished aluminium reflector ensures maximum heat efficiency, while the heater reaches maximum heat output within seconds of being turned on.
The IWMH1809R is controlled by a push-on/off switch or remote control. and can be adjusted horizontally through 25° while mounted. It is suitable for industrial or domestic applications and can be used outdoors if weather-protected (IP24-rated). An optional floor stand (model No. IHS1) is available for added convenience.
In addition to its impressive features, the IWMH1809R is also available with LED lights (model No. IWMH1809LR). Whether you need to heat small outdoor areas or a large indoor space, this Sealey infrared heater is an excellent choice.
Draper 04745 2.8Kw Infrared Cabinet Heater 230V
The Draper 04745 2.8Kw Infrared Cabinet Heater 230V is a highly efficient heater that is perfect for commercial and industrial environments. These infrared heaters convert 95% of the input electricity to heat, making them an ideal solution for large areas such as warehouses and building sites where heating the entire area is either impractical or too expensive. The heaters can be used to provide localised heat for staff or be used for applications like drying paintwork and plaster.
The cabinet is manufactured from powder-coated metal, and the heaters have twin ruby halogen elements for maximum heat emission and two powerful heat settings. They can be used with one or both elements activated. When the second element is activated, it will automatically switch off once the ambient temperature is reached, with the adjustable thermostat control allowing settings of 15–45°C. The heater can be programmed to enter standby mode after a set period and comes with a remote control incorporating all the buttons found on the unit interface. The heaters have a soft-touch electronic control panel with an LED display and a safety tilt cut-out switch. Two of the four multidirectional casters are lockable for additional safety, and the heaters come supplied with a 2m cable and plug.
Whether you need to heat a large industrial space or provide localised heat for staff or processes, the Draper 04745 2.8Kw Infrared Cabinet Heater 230V is an excellent choice.
In this post covering halogen and infrared heaters, we have discussed the features and pros & cons of each, along with some recommendations for some of our favourite products in each category. Armed with this information, we hope that you now feel confident in deciding which heater is best suited for your needs.