A Guide to Infrared Heater's Safety, Efficiency, and Suitability India Winters

As the winter chills set in, many people in Pakistan are looking for efficient heating solutions to keep their homes cozy. You will find many options in the market, but infrared heaters have gained a lot of popularity due to their budget-friendly price, multiple power options, and efficiency. However, many people have one question: Are infrared heaters safe to leave overnight? Well, this guide will answer this question and explain its types, benefits, and some tips for using it.

What Are Infrared Heaters?

A common question that may strike many people is what is an infrared heater? As the name suggests, infrared heaters use electromagnetic radiation to produce heat. These waves warm the objects and people in their path instead of heating the air. For example, you can consider the Sun heating Earth without warming up the space in between. In this way, the object exposed to these radiations gets warm quicker than many other heaters that work by warming up the air.

Types of Infrared Heaters

There are different types of infrared heaters. Here are the popular ones:

Electric Infrared Heaters

They are self-explanatory! These heaters use electricity to produce heat through infrared radiation. Most of them are compact and quite easy to use which is why they are popular in India. They can be used in small areas but some of them are powerful enough to be used even in larger spaces.

Natural Gas Infrared Heaters

Most of us will remember the gas heaters we had in our childhood homes, glowing with warm orange light as they heated up. They are still available but are suitable for areas in which gas load shedding is not severe. These gas heaters are budget-friendly, provide consistent heat, and are even suitable for large areas. Keep in mind that they need proper ventilation.

Quartz Infrared Heaters One of the most popular types of infrared heaters, the electric quartz heaters uses quartz tubes to produce and emit heat mimicking the warmth of sunlight. They are quite efficient and heat the object directly without wasting their energy to warm the air in between.

Are Infrared Heaters Safe?

Answering the main question, are infrared heaters safe to leave overnight or in general? Well, some modern infrared heaters are equipped with advanced safety features like overheat protection, tip-over shutoff, and a cool-to-touch surface. It makes them safer than many other heaters, especially if you have kids at home. However, keep in mind that it is not recommended to leave any type of heater overnight or even during the day if you are not monitoring it.

While the safety of LPG gas heaters is questionable in many cases, infrared heaters are generally safe for home use. However, it is important to know their potential safety concerns, which are as follows:

Health Risks:

Extended exposure can cause skin dryness and irritation in the eyes.

Fire Hazards:

Improper placement near flammable materials can increase the risk of fire.

Burn Risks:

Prolonged exposure may cause skin burns, especially to children.

Eye Damage:

Extended exposure to infrared radiation can harm vision.

Drying Effects:

Can cause throat or nasal dryness as well as dry other nearby objects.