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What is an Indirect Heater?

Erin J. Hill
Erin J. Hill

An indirect heater is one that heats the air or other matter in a room without being in direct contact with it. The main source for this type of heat is through an infrared heating system. These heaters work differently than most standard models, and offer many benefits to users.

Most heaters work by heating the air around them using electric coils and blowers. Since hot air rises, these units must first heat all the air at the top of a room and work their way down. This results in longer waiting times for a room to become warm, and can lead to uncomfortable cold spots.

Man with a drill
Man with a drill

An indirect heater, by comparison, does not have to heat the air in a room in order for inhabitants to feel heat. Infrared heaters, for example, may allow users to feel warmth almost instantly. This works much in the same way as the sun's rays shining through an uncovered window. The sun does not directly heat the air in the room, but if one stands in front of the window, he will feel instant warmth.

There are other benefits to this type of indirect heater. Most heaters produce what are known as positive ions by charging the air in a specific way. These ions affect air quality, and an overdose of positive ions can cause symptoms like fatigue, heart problems, and impaired breathing. Negative ions on the other hand, do not cause adverse reactions. In fact, they help promote clean air and overall good health.

Many indirect heater systems produce negative ions, making them a better choice for enhanced air quality. They may also help to lower heating bills since they do not have to heat an entire room for warmth to be felt. This can help to outweigh the costs of buying the heater.

Indirect heaters may vary in cost, but many are reasonably priced for the average consumer. The exact cost will depend on the brand and size of the heater being purchased. It is important to buy a heater that is made for the size home or room for which it will be used. Not doing so may result in impaired function or in having to purchase more than one heater.

In some cases, and indirect heater may need to be used in combination with a typical central heating system. This allows both heaters to work less strenuously, thus lowering the overall cost of heating the building. Thermostats should be kept at moderate temperatures to allow the indirect heater to do most of the work, since it probably uses less energy.

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      Man with a drill