Installing an Infrared Heater

Installing An Infratech Infrared Heater To A Screen Porch

When the weather turns cold, folks who have been living on their screened porches move indoors. I designed my screened porch so I could swap out my screens for Mylar wind panels. While this helps cut the wind, it’s still cold.
The only true way to be able to enjoy this porch year-round is to add heat. The million-dollar questions are:
1. What type of heat? And
2. How to do it safely?
What Are Infrared Heaters and How Do They Work?
Infrared heaters transfer heat to objects and people, rather than heating the air. Heated quartz elements within these heaters emit rays that are absorbed by other items, evenly distributing heat to surroundings. Infrared heaters have three things going for them:
1. Efficient Heating
While traditional heaters are rendered ineffective by drafty conditions, infrared heaters emit radiant energy that won’t be blown away in the wind.
They heat the objects at which they are pointed. This direct heat transfer is fundamentally different than other heating unit methods. This is why Infratech heaters are feasible in open-air settings.
2. No Emissions
Unlike gas heaters and fireplaces, infrared heaters do not emit carbon monoxide.
3. Cost-effective
Infrared heaters convert 93 percent of energy into heat, making them both cost-effective and energy-efficient.
Choosing the Right Infrared Heater
Before installing an infrared heating system on your screened porch, there are several factors to consider.
Size
If your screened porch is relatively tiny, a small, single-element heater may be all you need. But if your space is larger, you may want to consider installing a larger-dual element model or more than one heater.

We Chose Infratech Heaters
We decided to use Infratech brand heaters based on their reputation, safety features, aesthetics, and the fact that they are manufactured in Southern California.

Side-By-Side Install
For this installation, the electrician had to install a 30 amp circuit breaker and dedicated wire for each heater.
Opening the wall allowed us to eliminate an old cable box and remove an outlet from an old TV. It also allowed us to snake the wires up above the terrace door header.
The 14’x14’ cathedral ceiling, screened porch has Mylar storm panels in the winter months, which eliminates any wind issues. Using the rule of thumb of one heater heats a 10’x10’ area, we chose to install two heaters side by side, eight feet high, to ensure even coverage throughout the 14-foot by 14-foot porch.
Both heaters face outward and are controlled by a Duplex switch, allowing me to individually operate my two heaters on ½ heat, or high heat, or a combination of both. My electrician installed the units after we patched in the wall paneling.

3 Rules of Thumb
• A single heater can typically provide heat for a 10×10-foot radius.
• Install your infrared heaters above or around seating areas where people will be sitting.
• Consider personal expectations and wind exposure when choosing to go with one or more heaters. If in doubt, go higher in heater wattage, choose a dual element over a single element heater or increase the number of heaters used, and then “dial down” the heat with a controller.
Infratech Heater Mounting Clearances
The Infratech heater must be installed with the quartz tube horizontally level. It’s important to always maintain the minimum clearances from the heater body to any combustible materials.
Infratech heater clearances:
• Minimum 18″ clearance on all four sides
• Minimum 36″ directly in front
• Minimum 72″ from floor
• Minimum 6″ clearance provided by wall mounting brackets
Infratech Mounting Options
When choosing an infrared heater consider mounting options, Infratech offers three choices:
1. Flush [most popular – flush mount in ceiling]
2. Wall [wall mount brackets are shown above]
3. Pole [8-foot pole with 12” x 12” heavy base.
4. Ceiling Mounted (Mounting Brackets included in heaters)
When wall mounting like we did it is recommended that you angle fixture 30 to 60 degrees from horizontal face down, with 45-degrees as being the best angle. It is also recommended to install the heater to heat from the cold side, if possible.
Cost to Install
The total cost of purchasing and installing an infrared heating system for your screened porch will typically be around $1000 to 1600 per heater, depending on where you live and electrician costs. The overall cost may be affected if you need to upgrade your circuit box or repair drywall for the project. To figure out your cost use this formula
Cost to Run an Infratech Heater
At 4000-watts, an Infratech heater will cost [according to National Ave] $0.60 an hour to run at 93% efficiency. In comparison, propane costs $ 2.00 an hour to run and gas $0.45 an hour but runs at 60% effective due to the heat rising and lost efficiency — even in windless conditions.