Does anyone use an Infrared heater

[UnderOpenSky]

I'm WFH in a small room. It's getting rather chilly, despite it being the 1st day of June. I've put jumpers on, but it's obviously going to be an issue going forwards. It seems a bit much to heat the whole house when I'm just in one room and as it's a small space, it will probably get warm quite quickly (although the door needs to stay open a bit or cat goes bonkers). I started searching for most efficient electric heaters and infrared seems to come out best, they can be quite low wattage compared to other forms of electric heater. 350w or even 540w seems low. More expensive of course, but with energy prices going up, I imagine that's a cost that would pay for itself quickly. Apparently they distribute the heat on to people and objects. I'm curious if anyone uses one and if they are a decent buy.

I'm aware how bonkers looking at heaters in June is.

 

[Epona]

I'm aware how bonkers looking at heaters in June is.

I got a thicker duvet out last night

 

[8ball]

If you want to save on energy costs, one of those heated jackets may be an idea.

 

[platinumsage]

Why would you need to heat the whole house? Do you have gas central heating? Can't you turn off all the other radiators? That's likely to be the best way compared to any sort of electric room heater. With a IR heater you'll still be breathing in the cold air.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

I got a thicker duvet out last night

Yes. We've done that. I don't mind that doing that tbh, once I'm in bed, I'm warm.

Why would you need to heat the whole house? Do you have gas central heating? Can't you turn off all the other radiators? That's likely to be the best way compared to any sort of electric room heater. With a IR heater you'll still be breathing in the cold air.

I don't. I'd not considered turning off all the other radiators, but that seems quite a faff if I want to turn them back on in the evenings when we're both home. You inspired me to see if smart radiator valves are a thing, but it would be quite expensive to do the whole house. Maybe it might make actual sense in the long run though.

I'd not thought about the cold air thing. I'd also been looking at small panel heaters as well, which are bit cheaper, but use more juice.

 

[Wolveryeti]

I'm WFH in a small room. It's getting rather chilly, despite it being the 1st day of June. I've put jumpers on, but it's obviously going to be an issue going forwards. It seems a bit much to heat the whole house when I'm just in one room and as it's a small space, it will probably get warm quite quickly (although the door needs to stay open a bit or cat goes bonkers). I started searching for most efficient electric heaters and infrared seems to come out best, they can be quite low wattage compared to other forms of electric heater. 350w or even 540w seems low. More expensive of course, but with energy prices going up, I imagine that's a cost that would pay for itself quickly. Apparently they distribute the heat on to people and objects. I'm curious if anyone uses one and if they are a decent buy.

I'm aware how bonkers looking at heaters in June is.

Have you had a look at electric blankets? They are even lower wattage (<150W IIRC).

 

[8ball]

Yes. We've done that. I don't mind that doing that tbh, once I'm in bed, I'm warm.



I don't. I'd not considered turning off all the other radiators, but that seems quite a faff if I want to turn them back on in the evenings when we're both home. You inspired me to see if smart radiator valves are a thing, but it would be quite expensive to do the whole house. Maybe it might make actual sense in the long run though.

I'd not thought about the cold air thing. I'd also been looking at small panel heaters as well, which are bit cheaper, but use more juice.

What was wrong with the heated jacket idea (I've never used one tbf - I think some on here had them while wfh during winter)?

 

[UnderOpenSky]

Have you had a look at electric blankets? They are even lower wattage (<150W IIRC).

Great look for Teams

 

[Wolveryeti]

Great look for Teams

Well wrap them around your lower half then!

 

[UnderOpenSky]

What was wrong with the heated jacket idea (I've never used one tbf - I think some on here had them while wfh during winter)?

I've seen them with massive discounts over the years in outdoor shops. Suggests me that the tech isn't all that. Plus I don't mind jumpers, but sitting working in a big jacket is less appealing. Maybe more appealing with the next round of energy price hikes.

 

[8ball]

I've seen them with massive discounts over the years in outdoor shops. Suggests me that the tech isn't all that. Plus I don't mind jumpers, but sitting working in a big jacket is less appealing. Maybe more appealing with the next round of energy price hikes.

You can get heated hoodies and gilets. But yeah, some of them can be a little ropey.

Still, less than 40 watts when on full power...

 

[Epona]

You know if you decide on something and order it, the sun will come out and we'll have a blistering heatwave until October, right?

For occasional heat I used to use a plug in oil-filled radiator - mostly because they are pretty safe if you have pets (didn't fancy the thought of the parrot flying into something which got very hot on the front or had heating elements). I found that quite good for a small space, especially if you are sitting in one place eg. at a desk and can position it near your chair.

Love urban though, someone asks about heaters and people have a myriad of suggestions that don't actually answer the question - it's a fairly reliable aspect of asking something here

 

[UnderOpenSky]

You know if you decide on something and order it, the sun will come out and we'll have a blistering heatwave until October, right?

For occasional heat I used to use a plug in oil-filled radiator - mostly because they are pretty safe if you have pets (didn't fancy the thought of the parrot flying into something which got very hot on the front or had heating elements). I found that quite good for a small space, especially if you are sitting in one place eg. at a desk and can position it near your chair.

Love urban though, someone asks about heaters and people have a myriad of suggestions that don't actually answer the question - it's a fairly reliable aspect of asking something here

Yes of course. Classic

A heat wave would be amazing, but I'll still but I'll still (hopefully) be spending a few days a week WFH in October. I'm just thinking ahead.

 

[8ball]

You know if you decide on something and order it, the sun will come out and we'll have a blistering heatwave until October, right?

In which case definitely order it.

 

[two sheds]

not used an IR heater - I'd imagine they'd be more effective than most other heaters (how warm you feel compared to how much energy you put in) because of the radiant heat - it warms surfaces rather than the air. All electric heaters are 100% efficient but differ in how effective they are.

I use a 1 kW fan heater which is good in most cold weather if it's reasonably close to you, not sure how they would compare though.

 

[Leafster]

I don't. I'd not considered turning off all the other radiators, but that seems quite a faff if I want to turn them back on in the evenings when we're both home. You inspired me to see if smart radiator valves are a thing, but it would be quite expensive to do the whole house. Maybe it might make actual sense in the long run though.

I'd not thought about the cold air thing. I'd also been looking at small panel heaters as well, which are bit cheaper, but use more juice.

I have smart radiator valves and they do really work well. They have resulted in lower energy usage as I'm only heating the rooms as and when needed. There are various options but none of them are cheap. Mine are connected to a mini-server which controls the heating and other house functions (lights, ventilation and a few other things). I think other systems are independently controlled but I would say that the ones which use on-board thermostats won't work well as the heat from the radiators affects the readings. Even with onboard temperature compensation they don't accurately reflect the actual room temperature. I found this out after a few months so I now have separate room sensors which report the temperature of each room more accurately.

In terms of a stand-alone solution for your one room, I have a Dyson Hot & Cold thing. It wasn't cheap but it heats the room very quickly, has a built in thermostat that actually works and has a remote and can also be controlled by my phone. It also works well as a fan (if we ever get any hot weather!)

 

[dessiato]

I used an IR heater when I lived in Jerez. It really wasn't worth the effort. The room was seldom warm enough, and, in the end I'd get back into bed to keep warm. I'd not bother with one again.

In Scotland the central heating has individual thermostats which are set to keep a minimum temperature in each room.

Here, Galicia, we have a thin, oil radiator. This works quite well.

 

[keybored]

I've found the thing that most causes me to be cold when wfh is the sitting still, I'm used to physical work so being sedentary in front of a monitor freezes me.

So if your home office is big enough, how about a treadmill? Bonus: Your colleagues on Teams may* think you're a highly motivated individual.

*or quite mad.

 

[Leafster]

I've found the thing that most causes me to be cold when wfh is the sitting still, I'm used to physical work so being sedentary in front of a monitor freezes me.

So if your home office is big enough, how about a treadmill? Bonus: Your colleagues on Teams may* think you're a highly motivated individual.

*or quite mad.

Yeah, it's the sitting still that gets me too.

 

[dessiato]

I've found the thing that most causes me to be cold when wfh is the sitting still, I'm used to physical work so being sedentary in front of a monitor freezes me.

So if your home office is big enough, how about a treadmill? Bonus: Your colleagues on Teams may* think you're a highly motivated individual.

*or quite mad.

A high desk, a treadmill, and walk while you work.

 

[StoneRoad]

At different times, I've used halogen / IR heaters, oil-filled rads, open element elec "fires" plus bottled gas fires. Oh, and various fan heaters.

All have advantages and potential/actual problems. I would make my choice based on the volume to be heated and how sedentary one will be.

Overall, I would probably settle for an oil-filled radiator, second choice a wall-mounted halogen heater [like the ones that used to be sold for bathrooms].

 

[moonsi til]

I have a Dyson Hot & Cold air & they are spendy to run. I’m a fan of oil filled radiators & lived in a flat for years heated only by them & was nice & toasty. If you go with this get a big one.

Also hot water bottles are great but always use a cover preferably furry.

 

[Epona]

Also hot water bottles are great but always use a cover preferably furry.

I cannot stress this enough - once used one with a towel wrapped round it, fell asleep, the towel slipped off, I woke up with a really bad burn on my arm!

 

[UnderOpenSky]

I have smart radiator valves and they do really work well. They have resulted in lower energy usage as I'm only heating the rooms as and when needed. There are various options but none of them are cheap. Mine are connected to a mini-server which controls the heating and other house functions (lights, ventilation and a few other things). I think other systems are independently controlled but I would say that the ones which use on-board thermostats won't work well as the heat from the radiators affects the readings. Even with onboard temperature compensation they don't accurately reflect the actual room temperature. I found this out after a few months so I now have separate room sensors which report the temperature of each room more accurately.

In terms of a stand-alone solution for your one room, I have a Dyson Hot & Cold thing. It wasn't cheap but it heats the room very quickly, has a built in thermostat that actually works and has a remote and can also be controlled by my phone. It also works well as a fan (if we ever get any hot weather!)

The more I think about it, the more this is something that I really want. My partner is keen as well which unusual for new tech in the house. Quite expensive to do the whole house, so will have to wait a bit. Maybe I'll get something more budget then an infrared heater in the meantime to tide me over.

Maybe this is worth a separate thread, but I'm curious about your setup. You say it's on a server? What advantage does this have over say using the Hive setup?

 

[UnderOpenSky]

I am pretty sedentary when working, but I'm not going to start running round on a treadmill. The room is far to small for that anyway.

Is a 500w oil filled radiator to small? Small room, but door has to be left open a crack because of the cat. Or get the 1500w, but don't run it on full?

 

[prunus]

I'm WFH in a small room. It's getting rather chilly, despite it being the 1st day of June. I've put jumpers on, but it's obviously going to be an issue going forwards. It seems a bit much to heat the whole house when I'm just in one room and as it's a small space, it will probably get warm quite quickly (although the door needs to stay open a bit or cat goes bonkers). I started searching for most efficient electric heaters and infrared seems to come out best, they can be quite low wattage compared to other forms of electric heater. 350w or even 540w seems low. More expensive of course, but with energy prices going up, I imagine that's a cost that would pay for itself quickly. Apparently they distribute the heat on to people and objects. I'm curious if anyone uses one and if they are a decent buy.

I'm aware how bonkers looking at heaters in June is.

I have used one, and it’s great for when you need a blast of heat right at you, that kind of comforting drying heat you get from eg an open fire. For your precise situation though (ie working from home in a smallish room that gets a bit chilly) I use a 500W oil-filled radiator. I have it under the desk, so it warms me direct first and then the room.

One of these: https://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/...XPI-mcW2aHW1mTI8jMC3aiB_JnDkH65MaAsRaEALw_wcB

E2a: should have clicked your link before replying… I was thinking you meant halogen infrared style heater. I’ve no experience with those panel things. I am happy with my little oil radiator though

 

[teuchter]

IR heaters kind of get the heat to you quickly but they only get it to one side of you (the side facing the heater) and most people don't really experience this as a "comfortable" heat because the other side of you remains cold. They maybe kind of work of you're sat in an armchair or something, facing the heat source, but that doesn't really work sat at a desk.

So you are better off heating the air in the room I would say, especially if it's a small room. Unless it's really poorly insulated, meaning loads of the great it just disappearing straight out the walls, in which case an IR heater might be most effective for the same reason they are used outdoors.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

I have used one, and it’s great for when you need a blast of heat right at you, that kind of comforting drying heat you get from eg an open fire. For your precise situation though (ie working from home in a smallish room that gets a bit chilly) I use a 500W oil-filled radiator. I have it under the desk, so it warms me direct first and then the room.

One of these: https://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/...XPI-mcW2aHW1mTI8jMC3aiB_JnDkH65MaAsRaEALw_wcB

E2a: should have clicked your link before replying… I was thinking you meant halogen infrared style heater. I’ve no experience with those panel things. I am happy with my little oil radiator though

Thanks, that's good to hear, as mentioned above I think evenutally I'd just like the heating on smart valves so I can just use the radiator in the office, so a 500w oil filled under the desk would probably be fine. And they are a lot cheaper the infrared.

Found one for less then £20

CYPA-5 Freestanding Oil-Filled Radiator 500W

Order online at Screwfix.com. Portable oil-filled radiator with adjustable mechanical thermostat control and tip-over safety switch. Suitable for domestic and office environments. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 5 minutes.

www.screwfix.com

 

[two sheds]

how long does oil-filled radiator take to warm up? A benefit of fan heaters is that they give instantaneous heat. Does warm the air too, I've got thick stone/clay/stone walls but with insulating wallpaper which does retain the heat quite well. The heat pump wallah is giving me a quote for mini-split air-air heat pump but I doubt it's going repay quickly enough, likely to be over £1000 I'm expecting.

 

[pogofish]

Thermal underwear and more layers if needed - cheap and effective.!