Infrared IR lamps are becoming one of the most popular heating solutions as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to traditional Heater. We’re running you through everything you need to know about infrared IR lamps, including five of the most common types and their main features and advantages. This article will also explain why infrared waves are safe for humans and help you find the one that is right for your patio heater.
What is an Infrared IR Lamp?
You usually find an infrared lamp within an outdoor heater. It works by emitting infrared radiation, which uses waves to target the heat at the desired object. An infrared lamp can cover a larger area than conventional heating solutions due to the incandescent bulb and infrared waves. Unlike gas heaters, an infrared IR lamp is an environmentally friendly device that doesn’t produce toxic by-products.
The 5 Common Types of Infrared IR Lamps
At Sundear, we offer five types of infrared lamps for you to choose from for your outdoor heater. We’re giving you a run-through of each option, with a look at their advantages and features to help you decide which one works best for your patio heater, whether you’re planning to use it in a private residence or commercial space.
Carbon Fiber Lamp
Our carbon fiber lamp offers a medium infrared wave with 3.0 – 1000 wavelength microns. It has a radiant efficiency of 90% that provides a heating distance of 6-7 meters, making it ideal for an outdoor heater for bars and restaurants with outdoor facilities. The carbon fiber lamp heats up almost instantly, within two seconds, for an instant heating solution. It has a color temperature of 1600k.
This infrared lamp has an optimal heating average with soft lights and provides one of the longest heating distances of any of our options. You can still enjoy a higher temperature at the end of the distance range for this carbon fiber lamp. You can use it indoors or outdoors as a versatile heating solution that you can also use in residential areas. The carbon fiber lamp offers 10,000 hours of heat and retails for 10-20 USD.
Milly Quartz Lamp
The milly quartz lamp provides the most consistent heat distribution. This infrared lamp operates with a medium to long infrared wave with 1.4 – 3.0 wavelength microns. It has a radiant efficiency of 60% and provides a heating distance of 3-4 meters. The milly quartz lamp will warm up your outdoor heater within twenty seconds and has a color temperature of 1900k.
This infrared lamp solution is ideal for indoor and outdoor use in residential areas, such as patios and lounges, by providing a consistent heating average that works for long-time use. It offers a soft light and a longer heating distance than the average infrared lamp. The milly quartz lamp provides 8000 hours of lifetime service and retails for 2-3USD, making it a cheaper alternative to the carbon fiber lamp.
Halogen Lamp
This infrared lamp works with a short infrared wave with 0.78-1 wavelength microns. The halogen lamp offers 80% radiant efficiency and a heating distance of 4-5 meters. You can utilize this fast-heating infrared lamp which hits its optimum temperature within twenty seconds. The halogen lamp offers a higher color temperature compared to the carbon fiber and milly quartz lamp of 2250k.
As this infrared lamp covers a shorter distance with a higher heating capacity, we recommend it for outdoor use as a patio heater for residential and commercial spaces. With its high radiant efficiency, the halogen lamp converts the majority of the heat into light. It offers 5000 hours of service and retails for 5-8USD.
Gold Halogen Lamp
Our gold halogen lamp is a more efficient alternative to the conventional halogen lamp. It operates on a short infrared wavelength with 0.78-1.4 wavelength microns. Compared to the basic halogen lamp, this infrared lamp has a 92% radiant efficiency with a heating distance of 5-6 meters. Our gold halogen lamp provides instant heat within one second of being switched on and offers 2450k color temperature for one of the strongest light options on this list.
We recommend this infrared lamp for outdoor commercial use for workshops and construction sites, as it operates best for short distances that require a stronger heating solution. The high efficiency makes it a cost-effective heating solution for any business with outdoor or night-time operations. It offers 6000 hours of service and retails for 8-10USD.
Amber Lamp
The final infrared lamp option we offer at Sundear is the amber lamp, an alternative to the previous gold halogen lamp. It works with a short wavelength with 0.78 – 1.4 wavelength microns. This infrared lamp offers 90% radiant efficiency with a heating distance of 5-6 meters. The amber lamp provides you with an instant heating time of 1 second and operates with a lower color temperature of 1500k.
The amber lamp is best for situations where you want a stronger outdoor heater to cover a shorter distance with low-glare lights. We recommend it for construction, commercial, and workshop spaces where you want a premium lighting solution.
Are Infrared Waves Harmful to Humans?
When you hear the word ‘radiation’, your first thought is probably around how safe it is for humans. An infrared lamp is safe for human use, as it’s similar to the waves produced by the sun to heat the earth, which our body is naturally designed to absorb. Using an infrared lamp will create a consistent heat source to reduce dust in the air and improve circulation, which benefits those with allergies. They do not emit ultraviolet waves, which are on the higher end of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Infrared waves are on the lower end of the spectrum and are 100% safe for humans. It doesn’t produce carbon combustion or toxic by-products, making it safer for both you and the environment.
If you’re interested in purchasing a patio heater or want to find out more about our infrared IR lamps, you can contact us at info@sundearheater.com.
