How It Works
When installing a heating system it is always about large investment costs. Therefore, it is important for our company to provide detailed information on how our heating systems work, so that you can convince yourself of the technology.
What exactly is infrared radiation?
Infrared radiation is thermal radiation. Imagine it as an electromagnetic wave. However, the length of the wave is decisive. A very short wave would be i.e. X-rays, which is dangerous for humans. A very long wave would be i.e. a radio wave, which is audible for the human ear. Between X-rays and Radio or TV waves lies the thermal radiation which includes UV-rays, visible light and infrared radiation. The infrared spectrum covers wavelengths of roughly 1-100 µm and is divided in near, mid and far infrared. The special feature of this radiation is that they warm us. This phenomenon can be felt when sitting outside on a cold day in a sunbathing place and feel the pleasant warmth of the sun on the face and body. Unfortunately, many people confuse UV and infrared radiation since our sun emits both. UV radiation consists of shorter wavelengths (0.1-0.38 µm) and is responsible for our skin to burn after sunbathing, it is generally dangerous. The infrared spectrum consists of longer wavelengths than UV rays. In addition to their warming effect they have a series of healthy influences on humans, which are used, for example, therapeutically in muscle and joint problems.
How can infrared radiation be used as a heating system?
Our infrared heating products have two characteristics that distinguish them from other heating types:
1. They are full surface heating systems i.e. the floor, the wall, or the ceiling heats the room, completely without radiator or other protruding objects.
2. In contrast to all convection-based heating systems, infrared radiation is used to heat objects rather than air.
Our products are coated with a patented carbon paste, which heats up when a voltage is applied and thus emits infrared radiation. The following picture shows a room in which the left wall is equipped with a wall heating system from Infrared Heating SA.
When the wall heating is switched on, the wall heats up evenly to the temperature set on the thermostat and radiates heat to all other walls, objects and people in the room.
The walls (as well as objects and people) absorb a part of this heat energy hence they heat up. At the same time, they pass on a part of the heat flow received, which is called secondary radiation.
This process is repeated until all walls, objects and the surface of the people have the same temperature. As soon as the temperature equilibrium in the room is reached the heat flow will stop. It should be noted that the air itself is not directly heated and now there is the same temperature in the entire room.
When all walls, the floor and the ceiling have the same temperature, we are warmed according to the principle of heat conduction. As stated in the second law of thermodynamics, when two objects of different temperature are close to each other, a heat flow from the warm to the cold object is established. This heat flow continues until the temperature levels of both objects have adapted and an equilibrium has emerged.
Humans perceive an ambient temperature of 20-22°C as very pleasant, since this also represents our surface temperature in the dressed state and thus almost no heat exchange occurs. If our body is warmer than our environment, we give off heat in form of infrared radiation and we begin to freeze after a certain time. In the opposite case, we sweat if the ambient temperature is higher than the temperature we feel good at.
Since the beginning of human existence we are used to this type of heating, namely the heating by infrared radiation from the sun. Compared to conventional heating systems, a more comfortable and healthier room climate is created. For more information see: Medical Aspects, Differences & Advantages.