Question on Infrared Heaters

[YNOT2K]

i have a chance to pick up a Reznor RIHN30 Infrared, natural gas heater - cheap.

i know nothing about Infrared heating. i used the search function and came up with very little info about it.

so what say you, GJ? is it a good way to heat my 700 sq ft garage?

 

[Dragster Racer]

NO. I believe these are unvented, which means lots of co and moisture in your garage. That is my feeling anyhow. About the only place they are good for is barns and car washes.

 

[Bojans]

Unvented unit = tons of moisture, unless it is for very occasional use stay away.

 

[mx500]

I have a detroit radiant infrared, 30' tube heater, and it has an intake and exhaust, that vents to the outside

 

[rlitman]

I know someone who uses something very similar indoors (for an office space attached to a shop). They're happy with it. Yes, unvented=moisture, but the infrared heaters do burn VERY cleanly otherwise. I wouldn't be happy having it in a garage attached to my house though. With a CO detector, in a freestanding building (no sleeping quarters in the structure), it should be safe enough.

 

[HAP]

I have two 60K BTU unvented units in my 40x60 shop. I have some machining equipment in there as well. I only turn on the heat when I go out to work in the shop. I imagine if you left them on for days at a time you could see some moisture issues. They work great, and compliment my undersized heat pump heatpump as well. I do not have a problem with moisture. However, they do produce some residual odor, but not too bad. Been using them for the last 5 years.

 

[Dragster Racer]

A friend bought a shop with a radient open element and a Renor I think. The radient sips the fuel, and is very clean burning also. But, when he tried to leave just the radient on for a week, he had moisture running down the walls! He asked my why I thought he had the moisture problem. I pointed at the radient. He stopped using it, and no more moisture problem. It's nice for when you just want to add some heat or recover quick. But heating all the time is a lot of water.

 

[stingry]

Radiant heat is great for shops but this unit is unvented and will add moisture to the space. Found this after a Google search:

IMPORTANT: These infrared heaters are operated
without venting. The fresh air requirement of four
CFM per 1,000 BTUH for natural gas and five CFM
per 1,000 BTUH for LP gas is mandatory when
operating heaters in the unvented mode.
Model RIH and RIHV heaters should not be used in the following applications:
1. Enclosed swimming pool areas
2. Areas with contaminated atmospheres
3. Outdoor applications
4. Areas requiring explosion-proof equipment
5. Process applications
Infrared heaters should not be installed in buildings with uninsulated metal
roof decks. Uninsulated metal roof decks will cause condensation of water
vapor (contained in the unvented heater flue gas) on the inside of the building.
Metal roof decks must be insulated using built-up insulation and roofing on
the exterior or inside insulation that is not permeable to water vapor. Interior
insulation that is permeable to water vapor must be completely sealed with a
vapor barrier.

Personally, I would stay away from it unless you just use it occasionally.


Cheers
Steve

 

[YNOT2K]

thanks for all of your responses. i have decided against an infrared heater for my garage.

 

[BadgerBoilerMN]

Infrared tube heaters are the next best thing to radiant floor heating.

Infrared panels must be installed with adequate ventilation and combustion air -by professionals - or CO hazards and moisture will be an issue as stated.

Great for occasional us or for open door applications not often found today.