3 Reasons To Choose A Radiant Heater

There are different types of objects designed for different types of usage. If you are going to walk in the rain, a raincoat will be more suitable than a wool vest. Same thing goes for heating. For instance, why would you choose to go with a radiant heater? Well, there are three main reasons that should motivate you to choose this type of heater. Let's look at them together.

1. You are a "cool" person.

When we say “cool” here, we really mean cold sensitive. Radiant heat is distributed differently than our typical convection heat. The element in the heater sends heat rays like those of the sun. They travel in a straight line and provide a sensation of direct heat. They will warm bodies and objects rather than the ambient air. It is a very comforting sensation, just like a wood stove. With the difference that it is possible to control the desired temperature to 1 / 10th of a degree.

A cold-sensitive person particularly appreciates this enveloping sensation of warmth from a good radiant heater. During the cold days of February, a few moments spent in front of a radiant heater can drive the chills away. Children coming in after playing outside (yes it still exists) will often spend a few minutes warming up in front of this type of heater. This sensation is also very pleasant coming out of the shower!

2. Your house has big windows.

Large windows are popular for the clarity and openness they provide. However, they also create most of the heat loss. Thus, when the sun goes down and the mercury dives, we often feel like cold air seems to be creeping in the room. In fact, it's the other way around. The room loses its warmth through the windows as the heat tries to reach a point of balance between inside the windows and outside the same windows. It's the same when you feel a chill running on your skin. You lose your body heat for the benefit of your colder environment.

A radiant heater will stop and reverse this feeling of heat loss. Since the device sends heat rays towards you, it is you who benefit from the heat exchange!

3. Your room has a high ceiling.

A room with a "cathedral ceiling" is always harder to heat. First, it is necessary to put the adequate amount of wattage there. Very often, they simply do not have it. Here is why.

If the wattage was selected based on a simple calculation like 10w per square foot, you are missing out. This simple calculation assumes that the height of the ceiling is a standard 8 feet. At 12 or 16 feet high, it is not one, but almost two rooms you will have to heat. This must be considered when calculating the requested wattage of a heater. But we are getting away from the subject here, let’s take for granted that you did the right thing. If not, you can do the heat loss calculation right here. Or simply ask us to do it for you.

So, to heat our room with a "cathedral roof", it is necessary to distribute the heat within this room. The heat that escapes from an electric baseboard goes along the wall and then accumulates at the ceiling. Then, it slowly fills to upper half of the room before you can feel a thing.

The heat that escapes from an efficient convection heater is better distributed as it will rise into the room and blend in a constant movement of push and pull. But in both cases, the heat tends to go up high... it's natural.
A radiant heater will send rays of heat in a straight line and warm bodies and objects on the way. Therefore, you will feel the heat before it rises to the ceiling.

Good to know!

radiant heater will create both types of heat: radiant and convection. The radiant warmth is felt over a distance of about 6 feet. Subsequently, the heat is more diffuse. As for convection heat, it comes from the element.

By gaining degrees, the air inside the heater gets lighter and rises. In doing so, the unit will draw heavier and cooler air at the floor and create a convection motion. In the end, the unit will create a feeling of uniform heat throughout the room while creating a noticeable feeling of warmth near the unit.

Be warned, usually when you adopt radiant heat ... there is nothing else to satisfy you!