Infrared Heating in North and South Carolina
Hahn Mason Air Systems is proud to be an integral part of the North and South Carolina building construction and mechanical equipment industry with 84 years of experience, serving you from our 9 local offices and warehouse locations in Charlotte and Charleston. We represent one of the finest infrared heating manufacturers in Detroit Radiant and are proud to offer their technology on your next project.
What is Infrared Heating?
Infrared heaters emit heat that is very similar to that of the sun. This energy is absorbed by our skin, clothes, and other surrounding objects, which is how the surrounding environment gets a warming effect. This method of heating is different than a traditional forced air system because it is warming with direct radiation towards objects, rather than warming the air within the space.
What are the benefits and challenges of Infrared Heating?
Benefits
- Reducing energy consumption
- Venting capability for emissions
- Thermal comfort (heat the floor zone, not the ceiling)
- IAQ
- Flexibility of areas of use
- Reduce Air Stratification
- Modular Design
Challenges*
- Clearance issues
- Available mounting heights
- Additional Design Considerations
*If the project scope and discovery process are considered, challenges are minimal
Categories of Infrared
Within infrared heating, two types of wavelengths can serve slightly different purposes. High-intensity infrared and low-intensity infrared are both options with Hahn Mason. Here is a quick breakdown of the two categories:
High Intensity
- Surface temperatures of 1350 Fahrenheit or above
- Non-vented
- High clearance to combustibles
- Good for spot heating
- Glows orange
- Direct Fired
- Emits higher amplitude energy
Low Intensity
- Surface temperatures of below 1350 Fahrenheit
- Vented or non-vented
- Lower clearance to combustibles
- Indirect fired
- No orange glow
- Better for total building heat
- Emits lower amplitude energy
What are the different types of High-Intensity heaters?
Infrared Space Heaters
Infrared space heaters are best applied in buildings with high ceilings and areas where there is a high demand for a heat load, such as loading docks or bay areas.
Infrared Patio Heaters
Patio heaters are used to provide indoor and outdoor spot heating to applications such as restaurant patios, decks, and vestibules.
Portable Construction Infrared Heaters
Portable heaters are generally mounted to a 20lb, 10-inch base LP tank and are designed for outdoor or inside areas under construction. They are ideal when temporary heat is required or where a permanent energy source is not available.
Electric Infrared Heaters
Electric infrared heaters produce heat by running an electric current through a high-resistance element. They are commonly used in areas where gas is impractical or unavailable.
What are the different types of Low-Intensity heaters?
Forced Draft Systems (Push)
A forced draft system operates under positive pressure, pushing the products of combustion through the length of the exchanger tubes. This type of infrared heater is easy to service and install because all of the components are housed in one compartment. When compared to other tube heater types, push tube heaters offer a variety of production, installation, and operating benefits.
Draft Induced Systems (Pull)
A draft induced tube heater operates under negative pressure pulling the products of combustion through the length of the exchanger tubes. This type of infrared heater offers reliable performance in high-wind applications and sometimes can allow for extended vent runs.
Multiple Burner Vacuum System
Multiple burner systems operate under negative pressure pulling the products of combustion through various runs of radiant exchanger tubing via a powerful vacuum exhauster pump. This type of infrared heater is used when minimal building penetrations are required, or if extended vent runs are necessary.
What are some considerations to keep in mind when selecting between Low and High Intensity and overall product selection?
Below is a list in no specific order:
- Is this going to be used indoors or outdoors?
- Is the use of gas an option?
- What is the ventilation?
- What is the height of the ceiling?
- Is infrared being used for spot heating or total building heat?
- What are any obstructions within the building and where are they located?
- What is the total heat loss and how many BTU’s will offset the heat loss?
- Where are the gas connections?
- What is the electrical capacity?
- Does the heater require more resistant parts for harsher environments?
- Are roof penetrations allowed? If so, is there a limit on the amount?
- Where are the areas of greatest heat loss?
- Are there any other project-specific considerations?
Contact Hahn-Mason for Your Next Infrared Heating Application
Are you a consulting engineer or facility operator located in the Carolinas and are looking for Infrared Heating for your next project? Contact Hahn-Mason Air Systems today at (704)-523-5000. Hahn-Mason has 9 offices conveniently located across the Charlotte and Charleston areas.