Infrared Heater
type of heater
Definition of Infrared Heater
It’s a heater that converts electricity into radiant heat that’s directed to specific objects. Infrared radiation has longer wavelengths than visible light.
In a sauna, infrared rays penetrate the skin (up to 4 cm deep), and heat the body directly, as opposed to warming the air in the sauna.
Because of this, they’re energy-efficient and create a more comfortable environment than a wood-burning sauna stove in a traditional sauna.
An infrared heater can be made of:
- Carbon: Usually carbon fibers are woven into a panel
- Ceramic: A hollow tube including a heating element around a glass
Some key differences between the ceramic infrared heater and the carbon infrared heater include:
- A ceramic heater emits shorter wavelengths than a carbon heater meaning it’s not readily absorbed by the body
- Ceramic heaters have to reach very high temperatures to heat the sauna so they can create uncomfortable hot spots
- Carbon emitters get heated very quickly so they’re more energy-efficient than ceramic ones
- Carbon heaters are more durable than ceramic heaters
Example of “Infrared Heater” in a Sentence
Infrared heaters work by heating the body directly.
Related Terms for Infrared Heater