Can Infrared Heaters Lower Carbon Emissions?
Climate change is making us rethink how we use energy and heating systems are now a major focus. Infrared heaters offer a cleaner and more energy-efficient alternative to traditional systems. They cut waste and reduce harm to the environment. But are they the right choice for your sustainability goals?
In this article, we’ll look at:
- How infrared heaters work
- How they compare to traditional systems
- How they help lower carbon emissions
How Infrared Heaters Work
Infrared heaters are different from other heating systems.
An oil heating system, for instance, warms the surrounding air through convection. The heated air then spreads across the room.
In contrast, infrared heaters use electricity to emit infrared rays. These rays travel through the room and heat every surface or person they touch. As the surfaces heat up, the air temperature rises naturally as a result.
The Benefits of Infrared Panels
Infrared panels heat the entire room evenly. This is because infrared heating produces “radiant heat,” which provides several advantages:
- There is no added humidity.
- The air doesn’t feel stuffy.
- There are no cold spots in the room.
Infrared rays spread evenly across the space, if nothing blocks their path.
The sun uses the same method to heat the Earth, so the warmth feels like sunlight through a window. At Warm4Less, our infrared rays even match the wavelength of human body heat. This makes them feel natural and comfortable on your skin.
98.5% Efficient
Infrared heaters work in a unique way, converting 98.5% of electricity into heat. This makes them efficient and eco-friendly since they produce no direct carbon emissions.
Any carbon emissions tied to infrared heating come from the national power grid, not the heaters themselves. Even the most powerful infrared panels produce zero direct emissions.
Infrared vs. Traditional Heating
The heating system you choose affects energy use, costs, and the environment. Traditional systems, like oil and gas boilers, burn fossil fuels and produce a lot of carbon emissions. Infrared heaters, on the other hand, provide a cleaner and more eco-friendly option. Let’s compare these systems based on their carbon footprints and overall impact.
Oil Heating Systems
Oil heating systems contributes to the UK’s carbon footprint in a big way. They produce harmful gases (primarily CO2) as they need to burn fossil fuels to operate. This, as we all know, is very harmful to the environment.
The average house using an oil heating system produces roughly 5,200 kg of CO2 emissions a year.
Gas Boilers
Gas boilers work by burning gas to heat water. This is then pumped into radiators and back into the boiler for reheating. They contribute to 38% of all gas used in the UK.
The average house using a gas boiler emits 2,200 kg of CO2 emissions a year
Infrared Heaters
As established, infrared panels emit no CO2 emissions directly. Any carbon emissions come from the national power grid, not the heaters themselves
Benefits for Carbon Emissions
Cutting carbon emissions is key to fighting climate change. Infrared heaters help by using electricity efficiently and avoiding combustion. They don’t create direct emissions, and when powered by renewable energy, they can be almost carbon neutral. Let’s look at their benefits:
Cutting Emissions
Infrared heaters don’t burn fuel, so they don’t produce carbon dioxide. When powered by renewable energy, they are almost carbon neutral. They also produce no direct carbon emissions. Any emissions linked to infrared heating come from the national power grid, not the heater itself.
Targeted Heating
Infrared heaters provide focused warmth. Instead of heating the whole house, you can program them to heat specific rooms where you need heat.
By targeting heat, they reduce energy waste, lower energy use, and cut carbon emissions.
Compatibility with Renewables
Infrared heaters work well with renewable energy sources like solar panels. Using electricity from these systems lets them run with almost no carbon footprint.
This is great for homeowners and businesses wanting to cut their reliance on fossil fuels.
For off-grid locations or places with power outages, pairing infrared heaters with battery storage ensures consistent, eco-friendly heating. This flexibility helps users adjust their energy strategy while boosting environmental benefits.
Improved Air Quality
Unlike gas and oil-based heaters, infrared systems don’t release harmful by products like carbon monoxide or nitrogen oxides.
Also, without combustion, they don’t release particles into the air. And as infrared heaters don’t create air currents, they reduce the spread of dust and allergens.
This cleaner operation improves air quality and creates a safer, more comfortable living space. Especially for those with asthma or allergies.
Conclusion
Infrared heaters are a smart way to lower carbon emissions. When combined with renewable energy, they become an even greener choice.
They provide targeted, efficient heating with minimal impact on the environment. By planning carefully, you can enjoy their benefits while supporting a sustainable future.
