Infrared heater is harmful or not

IR heater During the off-season, when it is not yet completely cold, but no longer warm, almost everyone uses heaters of different types. Fan heaters, oil radiators, electric spiral devices have been familiar to the consumer for a long time. Today, equipment manufacturers note the high efficiency of infrared heaters and recommend using only such devices. The performance is attractive, but we would like to know if an infrared heater is harmful or not before purchasing one for our family.

Content:

  1. A little about infrared radiation
  2. Is an infrared heater harmful?
  3. Are infrared rays beneficial?
  4. You can eliminate harm

A little about infrared radiation

Human exposure to radiation

Any type of heating appliance used by humans emits infrared (IR) waves of varying wavelengths and intensities. Who doesn't love to bask in the warm rays of the sun? However, prolonged exposure to the sun can harm the skin. The positive and negative effects of infrared rays on a person are determined by the depth of penetration of radiation into the skin.

Heat distribution diagram for UFO heaterLet's take a look at how an infrared heater works and what makes it different from other heating appliances. The uniqueness lies in the fact that energy is transferred to the surface of the object with virtually no loss. The higher the temperature of the device, the more the heated object heats up. The maximum heating of the plane occurs when a large number of short waves appear, which is observed when the heater itself is heated. If, during the operation of the device, short waves mainly go to the heated object, the benefit parameter drops to zero, and the harm from the infrared heater increases.

Ceiling heater in the countryThere are 3 types of heaters on sale today:

  1. Devices heating up to 300 degrees with a wavelength of 50-200 microns.
  2. Devices that heat up to 600 degrees with a wavelength of 2.5-50 microns.
  3. Devices heated by more than 800 degrees with a wavelength of 0.7-2.5 microns.

Infrared rays with a wavelength of less than 3 microns penetrate the top layer of the skin and can harm human health.

Is an infrared heater harmful?

IR heater operation schemeIf you install the appliance in a room and sit directly in front of it for an extended period of time, your skin facing the heater may burn. This happens from the rapid heating and evaporation of moisture from the upper layer of the skin under the influence of IR.

The impact of infrared radiation on the human body has been studied for a long time. In medicine, infrared rays are used during physiotherapy procedures. Treatment sessions are strictly limited in time. The production of heaters with constant infrared radiation is considered by doctors to be harmful. Under the strong influence of rays in the inner layers of the skin, changes can begin.

Do not allow prolonged exposure to infrared rays on the eyes to avoid burns to the lens and retina. After such a burn, there is a risk of cataracts.

Attached low on the ceiling, the device will constantly strongly affect the head. Ceiling models should be hung as high as possible and directed at an angle, which will significantly reduce the harm from an infrared heater.

Are infrared rays beneficial?

heat distributionThe human body also emits radiation waves of 3-50 microns. Natural infrared radiation is 7-14 microns in length.In these parameters, the body perceives radiation as much as possible. Using IR waves of a certain wavelength in medical procedures, doctors keep the patient's body in good shape and help him recover. The number and duration of sessions is strictly limited so as not to harm.

Long infrared waves do not cause any harm to the body. With their help, a person can increase the body's immunity.

Is an infrared heater harmful to health? We can say that with the right choice and installation of the device, the harmfulness is reduced to almost zero.

Choosing a model of an IR heater, you should pay attention to its technical characteristics and find out the range of radiation waves. So that he does not harm you, this parameter should be in the range of 3-10 microns.

You can eliminate harm

Rules for placing IR heatersPositive feedback from experts on the use of infrared heaters in everyday life is based on the observance of the following rules:

  1. The power of the device you purchased must correspond to the parameters of the room or be adjustable.
  2. Radiation from the heater should be directed towards a wall or floor, not a person.
  3. Try to keep infrared rays away from your head.
  4. Do not install IR heaters in the children's room.
  5. Using infrared devices outdoors is not harmful.

Numerous reviews of users of household electric infrared heaters note the effectiveness of their use in the country, when in a short time it is necessary to warm up the house in damp weather or create a comfortable relaxation area in an open gazebo.

Video about infrared heaters

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