What harm can an infrared heater cause?

In autumn and spring, when the temperature in the houses is uncomfortable for living, and the heating period has not yet begun or has already ended, the owners begin to attack the shops in search of additional sources of heat. Manufacturers are only happy about this, and every year they expand the collection of local heating appliances with different prices and capabilities. So, infrared appliances, recognized as the most effective, economical and safe sources of heat, have joined traditional oil heaters and fan heaters. But are manufacturers so honest when they say that the damage from infrared heaters is minimal, and there are only flaws in fake products?

It all depends on the correct use of the IR heater. Any energy is not 100% safe, and in the same tanning bed you can get a wonderful tan or severe burns if you do not follow the rules of use.

The principle of operation of infrared rays

Infrared radiation was borrowed from the sun. It is this type of energy that heats everything that is on the earth: people, objects, soil, etc. Unlike oil heaters that spend energy on heating the air, infrared rays warm every object that falls into their area of ​​effect.

Such heating is more efficient, and after turning off the device, the walls of the room and furniture will give off the thermal energy accumulated during the period of operation of the heater for a long time to come. In this case, the air does not dry, and the room maintains a normal level of humidity. The rays directed at the person will provide a comfortable temperature even in the fresh air in cool or frosty weather.

Floor heaters must be installed so that the rays warm the walls or furniture

Infrared waves have long been used by doctors to treat skin diseases, microbial infections. They accelerate the metabolism, promote tissue regeneration. But! In medicine, waves of a specific length are used, and in small doses. Only in this case, infrared radiation does not pose a threat to health.

How safe is infrared radiation?

Infrared radiation is often confused with ultraviolet, x-ray and other types of energy, although these are completely different types of rays. It has long been proven: solar infrared rays do not pose a danger to human health, since they emit thermal waves of the same length as the human body.

The distribution of the spectrum of the sun and the place of infrared light in it (click to enlarge)

But manufacturers put in the devices waves of varying intensity to heat rooms of different sizes and areas. And if you install a heater in the room, designed for a concert hall, then you can get overheating with all the ensuing consequences.

Possible human effects if used improperly

Even if the device is selected in accordance with the quadrature of the room, this does not guarantee complete safety.

Often the damage from infrared heaters is caused by improper installation of the system or too long use.

The possibility of drying out the skin

A person can settle down in a room so that only one half of the body falls under the radiation. It heats up faster, moisture begins to evaporate from the skin, and the body with such accelerated warming does not have time to compensate for its lack of sweat. As a result, if you sit in one position for a long time, you can dry your skin and even get a first degree burn. To avoid this, it is necessary to change the position of the body more often.

Do not place an infrared heater over the resting place, because the rays will fall directly on your head and cause pain

Cell damage

If a device is installed too strong in the room, then exposed skin can become conductors through which radiation will enter the cells and cause their damage. Cell membranes will become impermeable, denaturation processes (hardening, folding) will begin in proteins, the retina of the eye may suffer. Therefore, when choosing an IR heater, you must carefully study the instructions and compare the power of the device with the area you plan to heat.

Headache

When installing ceiling heaters, it is necessary to arrange them so that the rays do not hit directly on the head. Ideally, they should heat the interior, floor and walls, but not the person himself.

If the installation rules are violated, the device is too low and hangs over your head, this will lead to poor health and headaches. You must either change the installation location of the heater, or shift the working area.

Outdoor infrared heaters are safe for health, because they are located on the side and are aimed at heating furniture

But in the fresh air, such health problems do not arise, because the device is used for only a couple of hours, and people do not sit in one place while resting.