Which Is Better: an Infrared Heater or an Oil Heater?

Heating Mechanisms

• Oil-filled electric space heaters heat a radiator with a shielded heating element immersed in the radiator's oil. As hot oil rises through the network of pipes and fins, room air passing between the fins warms. Infrared space heaters radiate heat as infrared light, reflected from a hot quartz element, an intense flame or in modern infrared heaters, an element that converts electricity to infrared light. The new types of infrared heaters generate both convective heat that warms room air and radiant heat that warms objects in the room. Modern infrared heaters using micathermic panels produce 80 percent radiant heat and only 20 percent convective heat.

Oil-filled Heaters

• Oil-filled radiator heaters heat slowly but the reservoir of oil provides lingering warmth even when the heater turns off. In small spaces, the oil-filled heater warms the air noticeably, but in large rooms its 1500 watts of power might not make a perceptible difference. These heaters warm a room by directly heating the room's air. Oil-filled heaters efficiently protect utility rooms from freezing but provide little personal comfort. Because an oil-filled heater generates very little radiant heat, users might not notice that the warmer room air slows their losses of body heat. The only spot that feels warm is next to the radiator.

Infrared Heaters

• The infrared light radiating from infrared heaters makes a room feel warm. The infrared heat warms objects in the room instead of the room air. The heated objects distribute the energy evenly through the space and gradually warm the room air. Total energy contributed by the heater remains at 1500 watts or less, but the infrared heater provides more comforting warmth the user actually feels. A higher level of comfort reduces the amount of time the heater runs and saves energy. Infrared heaters provide warmth in seconds after starting, but the warming effect vanishes when users move out of the beam.

Best Heater

• For personal comfort, infrared heaters work better than oil-filled radiator heaters. In a room heated by convection, you warm up by generating more body heat. If a space heater increases the room temperature by a few degrees, you warm yourself with less effort. In a room heated by infrared radiation, the heater warms your skin and clothing. The increased feeling of warmth reduces the demand for higher air temperatures and cuts energy costs. Not all infrared heaters work on the radiant principle. Some versions heat with enclosed infrared elements that warm the room by convection, not with comforting radiant heat. As of publication date, oil-filled space heaters and micathermic infrared panels ranged in price from $70 to $100. Box-style infrared heaters cost as much as $400. All promotional claims might not be accurate, warns the University of Missouri Extension. (See Resource 1).