How Far Infrared heaters work with thermostatic controls
Far Infrared heaters are an efficient and cost-effective way of heating any space but how they are controlled often puzzles people.
The main question that customers ask is exactly how you can regulate the FIR heaters using thermostatic controls when they work by gently heating objects and people rather than the air, as do conventional convection systems like central heating.
The answer is that while FIR heaters do not heat the air as the main method of heating, they can be controlled by using air thermostats to regulate air temperature in spaces after the objects and mass have been heated.
Of course, it’s possible to use FIR heaters and simply turn them on and off in a room manually. Some manufacturers supply FIR panels and other types with a built-in thermostat. However, this basic control method is generally regarded as inefficient.
The best far infrared manufacturers focus on providing a range of flexible control option so that customers can choose the system that suits the space being heated, whether that’s indoor, outdoor, domestic or commercial fitting.
Effective controls
Far infrared heaters in separate rooms or zones can be effectively controlled individually or together through types of programmable thermostats, sensors and receivers.
Brands like Herschel avoid built-in thermostats for their range of heaters because these do not provide the level of precision control needed for efficient heating. A built-in thermostat sits too closely to the heater and makes it impossible to accurately measure room temperature.
When the FIR heaters have done their initial job of heating up objects and the mass of a building space, the most effective control is achieved by monitoring air temperature, bearing in mind that far infrared ensures a lower temperature is needed when compared to central heating.
This is because the objects and building mass in a room space continually radiate their absorbed FIR heat and the sense of being warm is achieved even when the air temperature is lower than with conventional convection heating.
Herschel’s FIR panels and other heaters work simply in on or off mode to ensure the right infrared waveband is emitted. People can control through a simple switch or the FIR heaters are wired to an external thermostat.
Simple operation
Customers can choose from simple plug in to timer control, wired-in and wireless and configure set-up to work with Building Control Systems and PIR sensors. Herschel take smart controls further with its iQ system.
The iQ thermostat can be wall mounted or free standing and is simple to operate. It has 7-day programming with three modes for maximum control of ambient air temperature, with readings sent wirelessly to the small receiver wired to FIR heaters.
For larger spaces, the thermostat can be paired with multiple receivers. The receiver has an internal temperature sensor, a one-hour boost function and the latest open window technology and can be surface mounted or recessed.
Herschel recommends and sells Lightwave’s app-enabled control solution that allows people to control their heating from wherever they are.
