What you will need to install infrared heaters yourself: installation methods, tips, rules

How to properly install an infrared heater

IR heating devices are divided into types - gas and electric devices.

• Electric models of infrared heaters are compact and simply designed. They are equipped with electric emitters and operate from the electrical network, which is expensive for its owners.
• The operation of gas heaters is based on liquefied gas. They are more suitable for heating outdoor premises or outbuildings. Depending on the model, they can work on built-in mini gas cans.

Remember that when installing an infrared gas heater, you need to use the same instructions as when installing electric models.

Installation of infrared heaters can occur in 2 ways:

• on the wall
• on the ceiling

The decision to place the IR heater on the wall will be a more optimal placement, because in this case the room will be maximally heated, right down to the floor. If you are the owner of an apartment with very high ceilings, and therefore it is difficult for you to perform ceiling installation, use a wall installation.

To keep your room warm even in the harshest winter, you need to correctly calculate the power indicator. The most optimal is - for 10 square meters, calculate 1 kW of IR heater power.

If the installation of an IR heater is carried out only for additional heating, and not for the main one, then it makes sense to use less power. For such a case, a power of 1 thousand W will be sufficient for 20 square meters.

It is important to know that a safer and more comfortable option to use would be several low-power heaters than one overly powerful one. Installation of the latter is highly not recommended for residential premises

Choosing a suitable location

The most important requirement when installing an IR panel is the distance to a person’s head. This is especially true in work areas where people stay in one position for a long time.

The distance should be at least 1.5-2 m, it all depends on the power of the device. If it is less than 800 W, the device can be placed at a distance of 70 cm. If the indicators are 1-1.5 kW, then the minimum gap is 1 m. The specifics of specific premises determine a number of features of the installation of structures and the optimal layout of their placement. The table clearly shows the recommended location for the device in each specific room

To heat open areas, it is advisable to install several devices so that the radiation covers most of the human body. The units are capable of providing different temperature regimes for individual zones of the facility. To do this, it is enough to place several devices of different power in one room.

Peculiarities

Infrared heaters have a rather interesting operating principle. They heat not the air itself, but objects located around them due to infrared radiation.

As a result, they become warm, releasing part of the thermal energy into the atmosphere - the room becomes warm and comfortable. Let's look at the main features of IR heaters:

The most striking drawback of these heaters is the high electricity consumption, which is typical for any, even the most economical electrical appliance.

• Correct heat distribution. If you install traditional radiators indoors, it will be cool near the floors and hot near the ceilings. In the case of IR heaters, the floors will be warm, since they will be heated by IR radiation;
• When installed correctly, they do not cause harm to human health - if this equipment is installed correctly in its normal place, then it will not have a negative effect on the body (in particular, there will be no headaches);
• Fast heating of rooms - they warm up noticeably faster than traditional radiators;
• Almost complete silence - only gas appliances make noise (and even then they are practically inaudible);
• Can work in rooms with high humidity levels;
• Available for use in outdoor conditions, creating a comfortable environment in open areas;
• No negative impact on the environment.

Installing an IR heater in a living room will create a warm atmosphere in which it is pleasant not only to relax, but also to work.

Where is IR Heater Used?

This type of equipment is distinguished by a very high efficiency, and, accordingly, almost instantaneous heating of the room and its slow cooling - both factors determine a fairly high degree of efficiency of the device, making operation in large facilities with high ceilings and large heat losses justified.
In addition, IR heaters are widely used in civil and agricultural premises. These could be greenhouses, schools, kindergartens, office premises, shops, etc. In addition, there are designs created specifically for heating outdoor areas. Let's watch the video, a little about this heating device:

But before choosing one of the types of such devices, you need to correlate its technical characteristics with operating conditions in the future. So, for each object it is recommended to select a certain type of similar equipment:

• Short-wave versions are more often used in production facilities, since they are quite aggressive in operation due to the instant heating of the room, which is caused by an increase in the temperature of the heating element to several hundred degrees;
• Medium-wave and long-wave devices, depending on the model, are widely used at civilian sites and in private homes.

Also, the intended purpose of IR heaters is influenced by the type of energy source: electricity, diesel fuel, gas. For example, devices operating on gas and diesel are recommended for use in non-residential premises and open areas.

Advantages and disadvantages

Any equipment has both positive and negative sides. The advantages of infrared heaters include:

1. Cost-effective (especially when using devices as an additional heat source).
2. The device does not burn oxygen.
3. No harmful effects on human health (scientists have proven that devices can even have a positive effect on the body).
4. When mounted on the ceiling, they take up minimal space in the room.
5. Safety for children.
6. Quiet operation. In addition, the products can be used as a light source.
7. Many models are equipped with a built-in thermostat, with which you can maintain the optimal temperature level.
8. The heat remains for a long time, because heated objects release energy into space.
9. Infrared systems are resistant to moisture, so they can be installed in gazebos, bathrooms or on terraces.

The only disadvantage of the products is their high price.

Installation Tips

Infrared heaters with a thermostat require compliance with safety rules. When working with a thermostat, be aware of grounding. The grounding loop of your climate control device must have conductors of a certain thickness and with low resistance.

It is best to place thermostats on the wall. One regulator is enough for one room. It is not advisable to cover the device with anything: fabric, curtains, interior items.

Connecting an infrared heater via a thermostat

Ceiling models must have a connection via a thermostat. Sometimes it comes included. Several heaters can be connected in parallel to one thermostat if they are installed in the same room. In this case, the total load should not exceed 3 kW.

An important rule: do not place the thermostat close to a heating source or in a draft. Otherwise, it will not work properly

The recommended installation height is 1.5 meters from the floor.

Sooner or later, developers or future homeowners have to face one of the most troubling issues: how to choose the right heating system. There are quite a lot of options for arranging a heating system, but increasingly, owners of new buildings deliberately choose electric infrared heaters and convectors for heating. Unlike bulky water and gas heaters, using electrical appliances is much easier and cheaper. You just need to choose the right layout and install an infrared heater in each room of the house. Nothing complicated at first glance, but there are certain nuances in installation and use.

Connection security

Safety when using infrared heaters, as well as any other electrical appliances, should always come first.

One winding of the transformer captures the input current, and the second the output. If the slightest imbalance occurs, the core moves and opens the power relay.

The differential protection also includes fuses, which are necessary to protect the infrared heater from overloads.

In order for such protection to work effectively, grounding is required. This is necessary to avoid the return of electric current. Grounding in its characteristics is in many ways similar to a zero drive, but unlike it, it allows the current to escape without entering the protector. Grounding should have minimal resistance. The thickness of the resistance must allow the passage of leakage current of any magnitude. Knowing how to connect an IR heater taking into account all safety standards, you can protect yourself from unpleasant consequences.

How to properly connect an IR heater

A regular single-phase network is suitable for connection, unless, of course, it is a high-power industrial design. The infrared heater is connected using a thermostat.

The thermostat is guided by the temperature in the space, thereby providing and maintaining the desired temperature regime. Equipped with a mechanical control method. The thermocouple immediately disconnects the heater from the network as soon as the temperature reaches the desired limit. When the air cools, the contact will close and the flow of electricity will be restored.

We install a separate thermostat for each room in the house to regulate the temperature separately. In the absence of regulators, excess electricity will be consumed and the atmosphere will not be comfortable enough.

After installation, you will need to connect the IR heater, for which you need to use a wire that is resistant to heavy loads, for example, VVG 2*2.5. It should be laid inside the walls or ceiling, after which it should be masked with a layer of plaster.

Since the power of the devices is not the highest, a VVG 2*1.5 wire could be suitable, which is more applicable to the installation of lighting devices. For power loads, this option has a small cross-section.

There is no need to be intimidated by the connection diagrams for infrared heaters - simply connect the cable from one or a group of devices to the location of the thermostat, and then to the nearest junction box.

Please note that the thermostat breaks one phase, so no additional cable or conductors are needed.

With a heater power of 3 kW or more, a separate solid line to the distribution panel and equipment with an RCD automatic device will help you.

The aesthetic issue - how to avoid them coming into view - is solved by carefully finishing them inside the walls and floors. If this is not possible, equip everything with plastic cable ducts, and for non-residential premises you can use corrugated cables.

Installing such heaters is not difficult. It is much more difficult to correctly perform installation calculations so that the use of the device is safe.

In terms of power, based on your tasks and the size of the room. It makes sense to install several devices of lower power instead of one powerful one. The benefit is double: heating is more uniform and it is easier to regulate the temperature.

If the model you choose is permanently installed, it must be hung on the ceiling or wall and connected correctly. You can entrust this to a specialist, or you can do it yourself. But this requires at least minimal electrical knowledge. Below we will look at how to install an infrared heater.

How to regulate loads?

Figure 3. Design of an infrared lamp heater.

The load regulation process is automated. It allows you to control the load on gas thermostats. This is a very important point and it is recommended to choose this installation option. The fact is that, provided that the room has sufficiently high-quality thermal insulation, the thermostat will need to work no more than 20 minutes per hour to maintain the temperature at the required level. And this allows you to reduce the load by 3 or more times, which is quite an important factor. It is advisable to choose this option. The main material for such a connection is the box in which the wires are laid. If you are going to install hidden wiring in the wall, you will also need corrugation.

To connect infrared heaters, wires with a cross section of 1.5-2.5 are used. The specific value depends on the load level on the thermostat. Experts recommend connecting a common machine before starting installation. When working, do not forget to follow safety precautions.

If you have chosen a gas infrared heater, do not forget about the specific operation of this equipment. The thermostat has its own characteristics, so when installing the device you must follow all the important rules. You can see the diagram of an infrared lamp heater in the following image: Fig. 3.

Infrared heaters have the ability to create an atmosphere of comfort, spending the very minimum of your labor and money. Being at the same time compact, safe and, most importantly, efficient, they are used for heating various rooms. Installation of infrared heaters is not an abstruse or highly complex process; even a novice master can do it. So, you can look at the models of infrared ceiling heaters on mklimata.ru - this review will look at the subtleties of installing it yourself.

IR heating has the following advantages:

• Allows you to save money, especially in the form of additional heat
• They don’t “eat up” oxygen
• Absolutely safe for human health when used correctly
• When using the ceiling option, they do not take up space in the house and are inaccessible to children
• When switched on, they do not make noise and additionally illuminate the room.
• Built-in thermostats on many models maintain the desired air temperature
• By turning off the IR heater, the heat collected in the room from objects heated by the device remains for some time.
• They are resistant to moisture and can be installed in a convenient place - a bathtub, terrace or gazebo.

The disadvantage is the relatively high price of this type of heating.

Connection via a thermostat plugged into an outlet

The main disadvantage of the previous scheme is the lack of automatic adjustment of the heater. This can be solved by using a thermostat.

In this case, the simplest option is to purchase an additional thermostat that plugs into a standard household outlet and connect the heater to it. The same principle is obtained when using a heating device with a built-in regulator, which is connected to a standard outlet in an apartment or house.

Main disadvantages

— binding to the location of sockets

As in the previous option, you remain tied to the existing location of the outlets.

— the need to purchase additional equipment - thermostat for socket

Additional purchase costs will be required, and in addition, such specific equipment is not available for purchase everywhere.

— There is no possibility of connecting several heaters to one independent thermostat

If you plan to use several heaters, for each of them you will have to use its own individual thermostat in the outlet.

— Installation appearance

All conductors remain visible, the socket is occupied.

Advantages:

— Simplicity

Implementation does not require any preparatory work or skills and knowledge.

— Possibility of automatic adjustment and maintenance of the desired temperature

You get a fully automated heating system.

Assessing the feasibility of installing infrared heaters

The class of devices will allow you to structure the room into separate areas, which designers really like.

Difficulties in installing infrared film-type heaters

A Russian search engine led to the website teplodvor.ru. After a series of experiments, it became clear that the calculator could be trusted. The installation of infrared heaters in the house is preceded by calculations. Without thinking twice, we entered typical values ​​into the calculated parameters:

1. Room temperature 20 ºС.
2. The minimum temperature outside the window is taken to be minus 20 ºС. This is far from the smallest value in Russia, but there is no goal to drive manufacturers of infrared heaters to the conditions of the North Pole. A reasonable temperature is taken; below it it can be frosty anywhere in the Russian Federation.
3. Since the cottage in the video is made of wood, it was decided to set the walls made of logs to a maximum thickness (in the calculator) of 25 cm.
4. The double-glazed windows were taken as usual, with double glazing, in a house where an infrared heater is supposed to be installed.
5. The ceiling height is 2.5 meters, and in real housing it is even higher. We did not try to create difficult conditions for the operation of infrared heaters.
6. Finally, the window area for such a room is ridiculous. Four openings of 1.5 x 1.5 meters are specified. This is a low figure.
7. The floor was made of planks and erected over a typical cellar.
8. The ceiling leads to the attic.

Considering that the result has been rounded, it turns out to be 10 kW. This is one and a half times more than what manufacturers of film ceiling heaters promise. Let us object that the vault of the premises is additionally insulated, due to which losses are reduced. Let us add that steam permeability deteriorates and the cost of the structure increases. Installation of a decorative ceiling covering becomes more difficult, and the emissivity of the equipment is likely to be low, which will not have the best effect on the efficiency of the heating complex. It just seems that if you put thermal insulation on the ceiling, the resistance of the ceiling tiles can simply be discarded as too low. Although it is made from polyurethane foam.

1. Sprayed thermal insulation for foundations, walls and roofs – polyurethane foam.
2. The insulation of boilers, boilers, water heaters is polyurethane foam.
3. Plates for insulation of facades and premises - polyurethane foam.

It turns out that the insulation on top and bottom is the same. And the film mainly heats itself. The structure will be of a sandwich type with at least three layers: a heat insulator, a film, a decorative ceiling covering - which disrupts the normal permeability of steam. Attics are not built this way: pitched roofs are simply equipped with special membranes when creating an air gap for cladding with metal tiles or slate. Such a step would likely disrupt the construction technology of the building. You need to think through the smallest details.

The simple fact is kept silent that apartment buildings require waterproofing, which is difficult to perform. If the heater floods from above, it’s good if not the slightest crack is found, and the device does not work at a particular moment. Otherwise the consequences are dire. Electricity and water are things incompatible with human life. And the installation of infrared heaters in an apartment is complemented by the following actions:

1. Penetrating waterproofing of the ceiling and upper edges of the walls, which costs a lot. For those who don’t believe, we recommend asking the price for Kalmatron (it’s better not to think about Penetron).
2. Purchase of a differential protection device to prevent electric shock to people.
3. Purchasing quotas for power, which is often completely impossible in an apartment building. In new generation high-rise buildings, the shield is not so flimsy and will probably bear the load.

Pros of installing infrared heaters on the ceiling

We see only three advantages of the described advanced technology:

1. You don't need a project to carry out the work.
2. The appearance is not spoiled by heating radiators.
3. Work is carried out during the day.

And electricity is more expensive than natural gas. And let us remind you that boilers readily consume diesel fuel, coal and firewood. The cost is not a fact that will remain for ceiling infrared heaters of the film type. Using a calculator, it was determined that 6 kW is not enough to heat the room; the losses are greater than the obtained figure. Although the area is deliberately underestimated, and the conditions are chosen to be mild. Infrared ceiling heaters will replace boilers or central heating radiators exclusively in mild climates, where it is advantageous to use the equipment.

This is if there is no hot water in the house. And if there is one, the electric heater will still have to be connected and supplemented with a boiler to accumulate energy. In this light, installing radiators, laying pipes, and spending on an additional recirculation pump do not look so scary in comparison with the work already done.

Types and characteristics of thermostats

A thermostat is a device that periodically measures the air temperature in a room and, depending on the results obtained, adjusts the operation of the heating device. That is, if the air temperature reaches the set point, the power is limited and the heater stops working. As soon as the air cools down, the device again enters the active phase, thus constantly maintaining the desired level of heat in the room.

The design and operating principle of temperature control devices can differ significantly from each other. There are two main types of thermostats:

Mechanical type thermostat for infrared heater

The first version of thermostats is a small plastic box, the outer part of which is equipped with a switch. As a rule, it is round, which allows you to smoothly change its position. The division value may be different, for example, in some models it is 1°, while in others the transition occurs immediately from 2° to 5°, etc. In addition, on the body there is a power button and a light indicator indicating whether the device is active at this time moment.

There are also more modern mechanical models of thermostats that are equipped with a display. True, not so much data is displayed there, and the temperature is controlled using only two control buttons.

Helpful advice! It is convenient to use a mechanical thermostat only if one of the residents is present in the house for a significant time. This is an important point, since in the absence of people it is better to turn off the device. There is no remote control function.

An electronic type of thermostat that controls the operation of an IR heater

Electronic thermostats have much greater control capabilities. The design and construction of these devices are constantly being modernized - even liquid crystal screens are used to manufacture modern models.

Depending on the selected model, setup and control can be carried out either using buttons or touch. Some devices use special hinged covers to protect the screen and create a more attractive appearance.

Such devices can be used without problems even in those houses where the owners are often absent or live seasonally. The device is easy to program and can be easily controlled remotely using mobile devices. The only difficulty in purchasing such a thermostat is the fairly high cost.

What to look for when choosing

Halogen heater

New generation devices are constantly appearing, which complicate the choice of heating equipment. When arriving at the store, the first thing they evaluate is what the heater looks like. The case should be both stylish and strong, the cable should be reliable, with a high-quality plug. In Moscow you can often find downright cheap devices. It's better not to choose these. There is a high probability that the components are of low quality, and therefore the heater will not “live” for long.

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

Carbon Ceiling Infrared Heaters

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, such IR heaters are cheaper than others.
• Carbon. The heating element is made in the form of a quartz emitter. It heats up quickly, the efficiency is the highest among this equipment, but it “eats” a lot of electricity. The radiation is safe for human health. However, this heater cannot be used continuously.
• Ceramic. The heating element is protected by a ceramic shell, which “blocks” the radiation spectrum that is unpleasant to the human eye. Advantages: moisture resistance, strength, cost-effectiveness. Ceramic elements take a long time to heat up and take just as long to cool down.
• Tubular. Another name is heating element. One of the popular options, suitable for constant use. The air is not dried out and no radiation is emitted. True, they make a slight crackling noise when turning the heater on and off.

Working while people are away

If you choose an infrared heater correctly, then thanks to its performance characteristics it will allow you to efficiently heat the desired areas in the room and provide the opportunity to save significantly. But if you intend to leave the IR heater on while leaving on business, it is best to choose products with a metal plate for radiation. Attention: Quartz heaters should not be left running unattended for a long period of time.

This is due to the fact that quartz models of IR heaters have a spiral in the lamp, which heats up to a temperature of more than 500 degrees and can cause a fire. If a metal plate is installed in the heaters, then its heating temperature does not exceed 200 degrees. If there is a device to protect against overheating, they can be left on without fear.

When connecting IR heaters, external thermostats, fuses and differential devices should be used as protection equipment. Only if they are available can you guarantee that connecting the heater will be safe.

Pros and cons of ceiling IR heaters

Infrared heaters are safe to use

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

• Efficient heating. Suspended equipment in the form of a heater does not affect the air, but objects and people.
• Efficiency reaching 90%. Compared to traditional appliances, they consume less electricity. Many ceiling infrared heaters are supplied with a thermostat - this is necessary to automatically turn off the heating when the set temperature is reached.
• Safe to use. IR technology does not “dry” 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 that are hazardous to health are used for production.
• Easy to install. The owner can easily handle the installation; in addition, the fastenings are already included. You can attach the equipment both to the wall and to the ceiling. It is also suitable for plasterboard ceilings, but you will first need to install a support beam that will hold the device. Compact models, several centimeters thick, are increasingly 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, painting coatings may deteriorate. If you have a humidifier at home, this problem does not occur.
• If you turn off the device, the room will quickly cool down.

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

Basic elements and operating principle of IR heaters

A homemade heater has a significant advantage over a store-bought one - it will cost you much less. Before you start making it, you should understand the basic elements necessary for the work. The IR heater consists of the following parts:

• heating element (heater), emitter;
• heat-resistant housing;
• reflective element (reflector);
• cord with a 12 V plug for connecting to a power outlet.

Almost all IR heaters consist of these basic parts. The operating principle of an infrared heater is as follows: incoming electrical energy is converted into thermal radiation, which transfers heat to the environment.

The main feature of such devices is that the radiation heats not the air, but objects (arising along the way), and then the heat from the objects passes into the air space.

In order for a homemade circuit to function, a number of requirements must be met. Firstly, you should definitely prepare a radiation source, which can be the following elements:

• incandescent lamps (halogen, carbon or quartz);
• special multilayer panel.

The panel heater is made as follows: between each layer there is a thin metal thread, which creates resistance to electric current, resulting in heating to the required temperature. Heat rays emanating from the panel heat the room.

Another important part for assembling a heater with your own hands is the reflector. To make it you will need polished steel or aluminum. The main function of the reflector is to generate a heat flow and direct it to a given heating zone. Thanks to it, it is possible to form certain zones of active heating.

A home-made infrared heater will cost less and will give invaluable experience to a novice master. Below are instructions for making different types of devices at home.

Main process

Hanging the case

First you need to determine the installation location of the infrared heater in the house (or apartment). As we said above, the housing can be placed both on the ceiling and on the walls, depending on the individual preferences of the owners.

The first thing you need to do is mark out the mounting locations yourself. To do this, use a tape measure to measure the same distance from the ceiling to the selected area. It is also recommended to use a building level, with which you can level the brackets in a horizontal plane.

After marking, proceed to drilling. If the ceiling (or wall) is made of wood, drill holes with a drill. If you have to deal with concrete, you cannot do without a hammer drill. You need to drive dowels into the created holes and screw in the brackets, after which you can install the infrared heater in its place.

Please note that the design of the unit varies. Some products have guides that are fixed into brackets

A simpler option is chains attached to the ceiling (special holders attach to them). Also on the market you can see infrared heaters on a leg, which are simply placed on the floor.

Electric installation work

As we said at the beginning, the process of connecting an infrared heater to the network will be carried out using a temperature controller.

First you need to connect the contacts of the collapsible electrical plug to the thermostat terminal blocks, which are installed in the product body. Each “socket” has its own designation: N – zero, L – phase. It should be noted that there are at least two of both zero and phase terminals (from the network to the regulator and from the regulator to the heater). Everything is quite simple - you strip the wires, insert them into the seats until they click (or tighten the screws). Be sure to follow the color coding of the wires so that the connection is correct.

For your attention here are the correct connection diagrams:

As you can see, connecting an infrared heater through a thermostat is quite simple, the main thing is not to mix up the wires and tightly tighten them in the terminal blocks.

A very important nuance is the correct choice of location of the regulator. You should not install the product next to a heater, because in this case, the incoming warm air will negatively affect the accuracy of the measurements. It is best to place the device in a more distant area, at a height of one and a half meters above the floor.

Also note that you need to install the controller in the coldest room, otherwise the heating problem will not be completely solved. As for the number of infrared devices served by one temperature controller, it all depends on the power of the heaters

Typically, one 3 kW controller is used for several products, with a total power of no more than 2.5 kW (so that there is a reserve of at least 15%).

You can read more about connecting a thermostat to an IR heater in our separate article, which provides several installation diagrams!

So that you can clearly see the entire connection process with your own hands, we provide these lessons for viewing:

Video instructions: connecting an infrared heater with your own hands

How to connect a temperature controller

Required tools and materials

In order to quickly and easily install an infrared heater on the ceiling, you will need the following tools:

1. Drill or screwdriver (drill holes for fastenings).
2. Pliers (for shortening wires).
3. Indicator screwdriver (determine phase and zero).
4. Metal detector (optional, used to search for wiring and metal objects in the wall, so as not to accidentally hit these objects when drilling holes. You can make your own metal detector from improvised means.
5. A simple pencil and a construction tape (mark the mounting points on the wall).

1. Demountable electrical plug.
2. Three-core copper cable, cross-section 2.5 mm2.
3. Wall mounts (purchased as needed, as only ceiling brackets are included in the kit).

Having collected all the necessary list of materials and tools, you can proceed to mounting and connecting the heater..

Where and how to install an IR heater?

The location of the infrared heater depends on its type and heating plan. It can be installed on the ceiling, on the wall, with or without a slope.

Safety precautions

Remember that installing IR heaters is working with electricity

Therefore, it is important to maintain maximum caution and follow safety rules:

1. Never install the heater near fire hazards.
2. Electrical wiring must be laid on a non-combustible base.
3. The fastening elements must not touch the heating element.
4. Do not install devices with a power of more than 800 watts for a residential building or apartment.
5. Do not connect the heater to the network until installation is complete.

To use the heater more efficiently in your home, place it near materials that have high heat absorption rates, such as wood, carpets, and stone walls. U

You should not install the heater near reflective surfaces, this will reduce the efficiency of the device.

The mounting surface must be strong enough, as some heaters can weigh up to 28 kg, although many, of course, are lighter.

Location and height from the floor

Room Recommended location Bedroom Area above the head of the bed so that at least ⅔ of the bed is exposed to IR radiation. Kitchen It is recommended to install the heater so that its rays are directed towards the window, the place where cold air flows from the street into the room. Bathroom On the ceiling, if this is the only source of heat in the room, or opposite a small area where people most often visit, if the IR heater is considered as an additional source of heat. Hallway On the ceiling, pointing down to the floor. It stays warm and dries very quickly. The same goes for shoes - they also dry quickly and remain warm.

However, it is important to clean it so as not to dry it out, thereby spoiling it.

Next Post

This is interesting: How to properly install a hob in a countertop: lay out point by point

How to install an infrared heater on the ceiling

• Start installing an IR heater on the ceiling by calculating the height of its location. For living rooms, stop at the optimal height for this of 2-3 meters, this parameter is indicated in the passport for this equipment. The more powerful your heater, the higher the suspension should be. Otherwise, your health may worsen and your head will start to hurt.
• When installing an infrared heater yourself, make sure that there are no crowded places near its placement. Since it is a rather intense emitter, which can lead to unpleasant symptoms - itchy skin and headaches.
• The ceiling infrared heater can be installed using the standard brackets that come with it. Use them to suspend equipment from the ceiling with cables or chains.
• Purchase mounting hooks for wood or concrete in advance, complete with plastic dowels. Next comes the installation of fasteners, screwing the hooks into the ceiling and adjusting the length of the cable or chain to adjust the appropriate height of the suspension.

As you can see, self-installation of infrared heaters is an easily accessible process that can take a maximum of 2 hours of your time. The situation is more difficult with installation on a concrete ceiling, where you cannot do without a powerful hammer drill.

If you decide to install the heater on the wall, then use the same hooks with hangers. Heaters should be tilted slightly downward and in a strictly horizontal position.

Installation

To install IR heaters, you will need a standard set of tools, which is available in almost any home. To install you will need:

• screwdriver;
• pliers;
• several screwdrivers;
• roulette.

When installing IR heaters, you should remember that they must be located at a certain height. Typically it ranges from 2.2 to 3.5 meters. The heating device should be 0.5 meters above the top of the tallest family member. In addition, these heating devices should not be placed close to permanent locations of people, as this may adversely affect the health of the latter. As practice shows, the ideal place for its installation is near the window.

To understand how to properly install this device, you should draw up a detailed diagram in advance and make the necessary calculations, especially if several IR heaters are installed in the room. Remember, they should not connect from the same network source. Their work should be parallel. It is recommended to make a separate automatic device on the distribution panel to avoid overloads.

If you intend to install a gas infrared heater, then this process will be much more complicated than installing its electric counterpart. After all, for its operation it will require regular gas refilling. Most often, such heating devices are installed in summer kitchens, verandas, playgrounds, etc. But you should not install an infrared gas heater yourself. This should be done by a specialist, since working with gas is quite a risky undertaking and will require the appropriate skills and experience.

Optimal location of the heater

Of course, radiation alone, even from the most powerful heater, cannot guarantee to warm up every corner of the room; you still cannot do without convection. Only warm air moving under the influence of the ventilation flow is able to equalize the temperature and evenly warm the entire room.

Different rooms use their own, most optimal heater installation scheme:

• For a bedroom, the most convenient and effective would be to place the infrared heater at the maximum height above the head of the sofa or bed, so that 2/3 of the surface is located in the shadow of the heat flow;
• For the kitchen and living room, the heater is installed so that the heat flow of infrared radiation is directed to the window sill, the place where cold air flows into the room;
• In hallways and corridors, the heater is installed on the ceiling with the vertical direction of infrared radiation down to the floor. The heat emitter has a truly unique ability to quickly dry the floor and remove drops and residual moisture brought into the room from the street on shoes and outerwear. To avoid damaging shoes, they must be removed from the heat flow of the heater in a timely manner.

In addition, it is necessary to correctly calculate the height of the heater ceiling suspension. For the ceiling in the hallway, the best option would be to place the heater in the center; with a standard ceiling height of 250 cm, only people 170-175 cm tall will feel comfortable under an infrared heater with a power of 700 W.

Therefore, when planning the installation of infrared heaters, you will need to make the ceilings in the hallway 260-270 cm high, or instead of one device, use two low-power 500 W heaters so that it doesn’t get too hot. You can see the features of this installation in the video:

We install the heater ourselves

The simplest and most effective installation method involves placing the heating device on the ceiling of the room. The chassis is suspended in the following order:

• At the short ends of the case, it is necessary to unscrew the screws and remove the covers; the suspension brackets are inserted into the slots and secured with a latch;
• The installation locations of anchor hooks are marked according to the distance between the brackets on the ceiling;
• Using the markings, holes are drilled in the ceiling slab, plugs are hammered in and the suspension hooks are screwed in.

Before fixing the infrared heater, you will need to lay the wiring from the electrical input panel to the thermostat installation location and then to the heater. Ceiling structures are rarely equipped with built-in thermostats, so the box responsible for controlling the heating process is placed at a height of 1.6-1.7 m near the entrance to the room according to the above diagram.

To connect an infrared heater, you will need to strip the ends of the wires and secure them in the chips according to the diagram given in the product passport or pasted on the inside of the cover. All that remains is to connect the wiring to a separate package on the panel, and you can put the infrared heater into action.

Digital thermostats allow you to control the temperature in your room with high precision. But in practice, infrared devices have a slight heating inertia. For example, by setting the room temperature at 22°C on the device, the heater will actually raise it half a degree or a degree higher, since the hot radiating coil or heater panel continues to heat the air by inertia for another 5-7 minutes after the thermostat cuts off the power.

How to install an infrared heater yourself

Infrared panels are gaining more and more popularity every year. They are easy to use and provide quick heating of the room, and the built-in thermostat allows you to set the desired heating temperature in a few clicks. Moreover, installing infrared heaters yourself is quick and easy if you follow the instructions. Other advantages of this equipment include:

• long service life;
• noiselessness;
• safety;
• spot heating;
• Possibility of use in open space.

It is not surprising that many people are interested in installing infrared heaters themselves. This process does not require special skills and takes from 25 minutes to an hour and a half.

Preparation

Required Tools

In order for the installation of an infrared heater to go as expected, you must have the following tools:

If necessary, more complex equipment can be used. For example, if you are interested in installing several infrared heaters with your own hands, it is best to use a pyrometer for calculations. It will allow you to determine the warmest and coldest places in the room. Based on the information received, you will select the optimal location for each device.

Safety precautions

There is a set of measures that will prevent accidents both during installation and during operation:

1. Do not install IR panels near flammable or explosive objects;

Electrical cables must be laid on a non-combustible base;

The fastener should not touch the heating element;

The height at which the panel should hang is 2.5-3.5 meters;

For a house or apartment, devices with a power of no more than 800 watts are purchased.

The device must not be turned on until installation is complete. The device must have an appropriate degree of protection if the panel is installed in a bathhouse or sauna. If all these rules are followed, the installation of an infrared heater will be quick and easy.

Preparatory work

The IR heating device is installed on a surface (floor, ceiling, wall) in accordance with its intended purpose: floor, wall or ceiling device. Depending on the design, the design may include an element such as a thermostat. Its main task is to control the temperature level in the room where the IR device operates.

But not every model is equipped with a thermostat, so sometimes, in addition to installing the device itself, you need to figure out how to connect an autonomous thermostat to an infrared heater.

In doing so, a number of questions are addressed:

1. The thermostat is mounted at a level of 1.5 m. This is necessary for ease of use. When connecting film decorative IR heaters, a wireless thermostat is used. It is important to avoid areas subject to drafts. Otherwise the device will not work efficiently.
2. An area for installing the heater is selected: not far from a door or window. If the room is quite large, then it is recommended to install two low-power units instead of one powerful unit. But in this case, you need to calculate the total power if you plan to connect to a thermostat.

To work you will need tools: drill, screwdriver, ruler, screwdrivers, pliers, etc. Depending on how and what the heater is equipped with, a rigid bracket for installation may be required, which usually has to be purchased additionally. But installation can be done without such an element; again, it all depends on the configuration. You will also need wires, the length of which is determined by the installation location and distance from the power source.

Connection work

Installing an infrared ceiling heater in a room where suspended or wooden ceilings are installed is done quite quickly due to the ease of manipulation: hooks are screwed into the finishing material, on which the heater is suspended. If the room has a concrete ceiling, then in this case you will need a hammer drill. This is the easiest way to connect.

We watch the video, installation work of the ceiling heater;

But the vast majority of users prefer a more economical solution - using a thermostat. In this case, installation is carried out in several options depending on the equipment set:

1. A thermostat-heater pair is connected. In this case, two wires are supplied from the circuit breaker (hereinafter referred to as simply a circuit breaker): “zero” and “phase”. Installation is carried out in accordance with the device markings. Next, the thermostat is connected to the heating equipment, also taking into account the markings. You must first open the socket for connection. It is usually hidden in the housing under a removable cover held in place by fasteners.
2. Installation and connection of an infrared heater of more than two types per room is carried out through a parallel connection. Otherwise, the installation steps will be identical: wires are connected from the machine to the thermostat, from which heating devices are already connected.
3. A more complex option: installation by connecting a magnetic starter. This solution is preferable when connecting an industrial heater is planned.

Some features of installation work

To ensure safety, care must also be taken to ground the device. For this, a yellow-green cable is used, which is connected to the appropriate terminal. It is difficult to make a mistake here, since the markings help to complete the installation without unnecessary difficulties. In order for the room to be heated as efficiently as possible, it must be installed in the most suitable position to ensure high performance.

This refers to the direction of propagation of radiation. If the heater is ceiling-mounted, then the choice is small - the unit is installed in only one position (parallel to the ceiling and floor), but wall-mounted devices can be installed at a certain angle. This is achieved by adjusting the fasteners. To prevent cable routing along the wall from being noticeable, you can use a U-shaped profile.

Thus, the connection process itself should not cause difficulties for the user. But first, it is important to choose the right site for installing the device.

Only in this case will there be a high degree of efficiency from its work. If the room is more than 20 sq. m, it is recommended to use two heaters, the total power of which will not exceed 2 kW. For small areas (up to 8-10 sq. m), a compact low-power device with 800 W is quite sufficient. It is more advisable to install heaters near entrance doors and near windows, but thermostats, on the contrary, are “afraid” of drafts and work less efficiently.