Selection and installation of ceiling infrared heaters

A wide variety of heating devices is produced, among which ceiling infrared heaters are in great demand. When compared with convection devices, these devices are more economical, since they do not heat up the "empty space". To choose this technique correctly, you need to understand how it works, what are its features, pros and cons.

How the device works

Traditional heating devices work on the convection principle. They generate heated air that circulates around the room.

This method has a number of disadvantages: uneven heat distribution, rather slow heating, increased heat loss through windows and doors.

An infrared heater transmits electromagnetic radiation to nearby objects. When an object heats up, warm air from it is redirected into the room. First, the technique "takes" the walls, ceiling and floor, and after that - the air.

Pros and cons of IR ceiling heaters

Electric infrared heaters with ceiling installation are in demand for apartments, summer cottages and industrial buildings. This is explained by their positive qualities:

• Effective heating. Suspended technology in the form of a heater does not affect air, but objects and people.
• Efficiency reaching 90%. Compared to traditional appliances, they consume less electricity. Many infrared ceiling heaters are supplied with a thermostat - it is necessary to automatically turn off the heating when the set temperature is reached.
• Safe to operate. IR technology does not "dry out" the surrounding air. For this reason, it is suitable for installation in children's rooms.
• European standards are responsible for environmental cleanliness. No harmful materials hazardous to health are used for production.
• Convenient to install. The owner can easily cope with the installation, moreover, the mounts are already included in the kit. You can attach the equipment both to the wall and to the ceiling. Suitable for plasterboard ceilings, but first you need to install a support bar that will hold the device. More and more compact models, several centimeters thick, are being produced, for example, Ballu BIH AP 08.

There are not many disadvantages, but they should also be taken into account:

• Due to constant heating, the coatings of the paintings may deteriorate. If a humidifier is installed at home, this problem is not observed.
• If you turn off the device, the room will cool down quickly.

These disadvantages can hardly be called significant. In order not to be afraid of overheating, many users equip appliances with thermostats.

What to look for when choosing

New generation devices are constantly appearing, which complicate the choice of heating technology. Arriving at the store, first of all, they evaluate how the heater looks like. The case must be stylish and sturdy at the same time, the cable must be reliable, with a quality plug. In Moscow, frankly cheap devices are often found. It's better not to choose such. There is a high probability that the components are of poor quality, therefore, the heater will not "live" for a long time.

An important point when choosing is power. It is calculated simply: every 10 m2 requires 1.2 kW of energy.

In the reviews, there are different devices, some are placed on the floor, others are attached to the wall or ceiling. After the installation method, the type of heating element is considered an equally important criterion. There are four varieties.

• Halogen. The source of infrared waves is an incandescent filament, which emits visible golden light and waves in small ranges. The latter do not have the best effect on human health. Therefore, these infrared heaters are cheaper than others.
• Carbon fiber. The heating element is made in the form of a quartz radiator. It heats up quickly, the efficiency is the maximum among this technique, but it "eats" a lot of electricity. Radiation is safe for human health. True, this heater cannot be used continuously.
• Ceramic. The heating element is protected by a ceramic sheath that "blocks" the radiation spectrum unpleasant to the human eye. Advantages: moisture resistance, strength, cost-effectiveness. Ceramic elements are heated for a long time, they cool down as much.
• Tubular. Another name is heating element. One of the demanded options suitable for permanent use. The air does not dry out, they do not emit radiation. True, they crack slightly when the heater is turned on and off.

The type of installation and heating element are not all parameters to consider. They also pay attention to the functionality of the technique. It is good if the design has a thermostat, protective systems against overturning or overheating, a remote control. All this makes the operation safer and more convenient.

Varieties of heaters

By design, the following types of ceiling-mounted heaters are distinguished:

• Closed with a heating panel. In them, infrared waves are absorbed both by surrounding objects and by the elements of the heater itself (front panel). This variety is not much different from a conventional heating device, since the air is heated from the panel. The effectiveness of closed devices is small, but they are safe - they are safely installed nearby with other objects.
• Open with reflector. These ceiling mounted UV heaters are the most common. The equipment consists of a housing, a protective grill, a power regulator, an IR-ray generator and a reflector. For the manufacture of the latter, polished aluminum is taken, which directs infrared radiation. Such a device, if desired, is supplemented with a thermostat.
• Film. The base is a foil (reflector), on top of which heating elements are attached. This simple structure is covered by a strong and dense dielectric film. The device has two advantages: efficiency and affordability.

Ceiling infrared heater is a simple yet powerful technique used to store heat.

Ceiling Heater Installation Process

First, the body is suspended:

1. Self-tapping screws are unscrewed from the short ends of the device, the covers are removed, and brackets are placed in the vacated slots. They are fixed with a latch.
2. Starting from the brackets on the ceiling, they draw a markup for future fasteners (anchor hooks).
3. Holes are drilled into which the plugs are hammered and the mount is screwed in.

Before fixing the equipment, wiring is laid from the introductory panel to the heater itself and the thermostat. A thermostat is rarely included in a set of ceiling devices, so it is bought separately. The place of installation is next to the entrance to the room at a height of 1.6 - 1.7 m. The technical passport must have a connection diagram, which they are guided by during installation.

Ceiling mounted heaters are not only compact but also efficient. They are produced by both domestic (Peony, Almak) and foreign companies (Ballu, Polaris, Timberk, NeoClima).