radiant space heating

Radiant space heaters (also known as reflective heaters) are able to heat almost instantaneously the occupants of a room by generating heat that can be directed to them. They heat like the sun's rays.

Radiant space heaters are personal heaters, in the sense that they heat the people in a room, not the air around them.

Most radiant heaters use reflectors to radiate heat outward, and are mostly fan-assisted...

Radiant space heating is the “opposite” of convection heating. See: Convection heating.

Radiant heaters can use infrared quartz, ceramic, halogen and other heating elements…

Type of Heating

As said before, the goal of space radiant heating is to heat people in a room, and not the entire room. People should be located close enough to the heater to get the warmth.

Over time radiant heaters can increase the temperature of the room, but they aren't efficient enough at providing it, and that’s not their ultimate goal.

Radiant Heaters from Optimus, Honeywell, Soleus

Radiant heating manufacturers

Most electric space heater manufacturers – Holmes, Delonghi,Honeywell, Lasko, Pelonis - have radiant heaters or radiant-convection heaters in their offer.

Soleus and Optimus have some of the best ratings in most customer reviews involving radiant heaters. For customer reviews in Amazon.com, see: Radiant Heaters.

Radiant heating is an energy efficient type of heating. They require lower wattage than convection heating. They are personal and spot heaters.

Advantages and uses

Radiant space heaters can provide lower energy costs than other small electric heaters.

They are a very efficient solution for, say, one or two people seeking heat when performing a task (they are particularly suitable for stationary people).

Since they aren't designed to heat an entire room, they can be a source of energy savings.Radiant electric panels can be an alternative to small portable electric heaters. Radiant panels are mounted to a wall, floor or even to the ceiling and are particularly silent. They are safer, and cool to the touch.

Disadvantages

Small electric radiant heaters can be a source of safety hazards. They should be used with precaution in order to prevent burns (their surfaces tend to overheat) or even fires.

Radiant heaters do not provide the evenly distributed and high-quality heating of convection heaters. And, used for a long period, they can dry the indoor air...