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Types of infrared heating

Infrared heating is generally split into three categories - Short Wave, Medium Wave and Long Wave.

Infrared waves are part of the natural light spectrum from the sun, without skin-damaging ultraviolet radiation. Just as the sun has been heating people here on earth for thousands of years, our products radiate sun-like warmth to indoor or outdoor spaces, floors, and furniture, rather than heating the air. Short-wave infrared is sometimes referred to as ‘near infrared’ and Long-wave infrared referred to as ‘far infrared’.

Short Wave Infrared
  • Lamp runs at 2200°C
  • Instantaneous heat as soon as switched on
  • Warms people & objects directly
  • 92% of energy is emitted as heat, with only 8% heating the space
  • High intensity heat, that works like the sunshine
  • Perfect for outdoor areas
Diagram Showing How Short Wave Infrared Heat Is Emitted From Infrared Heaters
Medium Wave Infrared
  • Lamp runs at 900°C
  • Heater takes on average 30 seconds to warm up
  • Warms people and objects via the air
  • 60% of energy is emitted as heat, with 40% of energy used heating the air around
  • More suited for curing and drying processes rather than outside heating applications
  • Susceptible to air movement
Diagram Showing How Medium Wave Infrared Heat Is Emitted From Infrared Heaters
Long Wave Infrared
  • Lamp runs at 300°C
  • Heater takes on average 5 minutes to warm up
  • Good for catering environments where no glass is allowed
  • 40% of energy is emitted as heat, with 60% of the energy used to heat the space around them
  • Susceptible to air movement
Diagram Showing How Long Wave Infrared Heat Is Emitted From Infrared Heaters
Why Tansun Short-wave Heaters?

The infrared short-wave technology of Tansun quartz radiant heaters instantly provide heat as soon as they are turned on. High-frequency heat waves penetrate the air without warming it, with no loss caused by draughts or from the heat rising. Long and Medium wave infrared heaters will not heat an outdoor area properly as they are both susceptible to air movement.

Tansun offer the most complete ‘full shortwave’ heating solution due to the construction and design of our high sheen smooth parabolic reflectors which direct the heat uniformly outwards providing heat where it is required. Additionally, the heaters give the flexibility to be mounted high up in indoor areas whilst still providing warmth where it is required.

Inferior shortwave heaters will have reflectors which are fragmented and which will not provide the same performance and warmth as a Tansun heater. This is why Tansun shortwave infrared heaters are the best heating solution for those impossible to heat areas, and any outdoor applications.