Reference Manual

Frequently Asked Questions

Why choose an electric heater, rather than a gas heater?

Simply put, electric heaters look better, are more efficient and are easier to operate and maintain. Electric heaters are over 90% efficient and are perfectly safe for use outdoors. They are also economical to operate and require little maintenance beyond periodic cleaning. Unlike gas heaters, there are no valves, ignition components, moving parts or burners to maintain or repair. In addition, electric heaters produce no sound, odors or toxic emissions.

Electric heaters also offer added mounting and installation options. They may be flush mounted into a standard 8′ ceiling using our flush mount frame. When surface mounted, they hang less than 9-1/2′ from the ceiling. The most commonly used overhead gas heater requires a minimum ceiling height of almost 10′ and, when mounted properly, will hang almost 24′ below it.

An electric heater is also easier to use. Enjoying electric comfort heat is as easy as flipping a switch. You can adjust the intensity of an electric heater infinitely from zero to 100% of power. By contrast, gas heaters only produce infrared energy on their highest possible settings.

How can I estimate my cost of operation?

Electric heaters are economical to operate. It is easy to estimate your operating cost by multiplying the total kilowatts by your local power rate for a “kilowatt hour” (kwh). Standard power rates vary from market to market. Your rate should appear on any monthly utility statement. For example, a typical 3,000 watt (3 KW) heater, at full power, would cost 39¢ per hour based on a utility rate of 13¢ per kwh. Also keep in mind that your electric heater has a lower acquisition cost than a standard gas heater.

How do I determine how many heaters I will need?

Please visit the “Getting Started” page for simple steps to help you select the right heaters and control options for your space. For professional assistance, you may be required to submit some basic information about your area to be heated. We are happy to help you design a system that will satisfy your needs and your budget.

How small of a heater can I use?

Always choose a heater size with the appropriate heat output for the mounting height and area to cover. By selecting a smaller unit, you may require more heaters to get the same amount of heat output. If you are choosing a dual element unit for aesthetic purposes, you will be concentrating more heat into a tighter space. Again, this may mean that you will possibly require more fixtures to provide total coverage of your area. Patio heating is often a compromise between functionality and finding the desired look.

How much heat should I expect?

At their Food Services Testing Center, Pacfic Gas & Electric has determined that a good patio heat installation (gas or electric) will provide between 3-7° of perceived heat at 60° F ambient conditions. Test results determined that more than 7° is too warm to sit in for extended periods. Colder or draftier areas may require more heat; protected or warmer areas may require less. Every installation will vary, along with our customers’ expectations.

Does an electric heater cost more than a gas unit to operate?

Operating costs vary by region. Nationwide, electric heaters are less expensive than propane, and are competitive with natural gas. Depending upon the total hours of usage, electric heaters normally have a much lower cost of ownership when factoring in purchase price and maintenance needs. Basically, this means that while it can cost more per hour to operate an electric unit in some areas, it typically takes 7-10 years to save enough money operating on gas to recover the substantially higher purchase price-not to mention cost of regular maintenance for a gas heater.

Electrical

Can I run my heaters on only 120 volts of power?

Using a 110/120-volt heater (1,500 watts maximum) is fine for enclosed areas like garages, work areas or outdoor spaces no larger than 5′ x 5′. When heating larger areas, running a dedicated 110/120-volt circuit is not practical or economical. A 240-volt circuit will require the same amount of wiring, will heat substantially larger areas with greater comfort, and will simply require two spaces in the breaker panel, rather than one.

What’s the difference between 208-volt and 240-volt power?

Many new homes and businesses are supplied with 208-volt power, as opposed to the more familiar 240-volt option. It is very important to determine your power voltage before ordering and installing a heater. A 240-volt heater on 208 volts of power will only produce about 60% of the desired infrared energy. Contact the marketing department of your local utility or consult a licensed electrician to determine the actual voltage at your property location. Infratech heaters are available in single and dual element 120, 208, 240, 277 and 480-volt models.

What are your safety certificates?

All Infratech heaters are Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and Canadian Underwriters Laboratories (cUL) Listed under File E 29825. We are NZ/Australia and CE Listed under Wakefield Laboratories File NSW 21732. All Infratech fixtures are also certified IP X4 rated.

Product

Should I purchase an Infratech Solid State Control Package?

Infratech solid state controls give you the most efficient and versatile form of control for your heaters. While other lower cost controls are available, if your space calls for larger heaters or multiple heaters, solid state controls quickly become your best choice for a quality installation. Contact us and let our qualified staff help you configure the best heaters and controls for your project.

How long can I expect an Infratech quartz element to last?

Infratech elements are rated for 5,000 hours of continuous use. In many installations you may enjoy your heater for years before a replacement would be needed. Always refer to the W-Series or C-Series manual for specific instructions, and be sure to disconnect the power to your heater before attempting to change an element.

Are quartz elements better than “short wave” halogen elements?

If you are concerned about ambience, the appearance of your décor and creating a more relaxing environment, Infratech infrared quartz elements are always the best choice. Infratech quartz elements provide comfortable medium wave heat. Competitive products with short wave halogen elements produce more intense heat while emitting very bright and harsh-colored light. By contrast, Infratech medium wave elements effectively heat your space, while providing a soft, warm glow that is practically unnoticeable.

Smart Home Installation

Can I operate Infratech heaters from home lighting controls or home management systems?

Yes. There are two ways to integrate our solid-state controls into your home management system. One permits on/ off and timer functionality only, by switching the 120-volt power to the analog remote. The second way allows for full integration with our controls designed to accept a 0-10-volt DC signal from the home management system, to vary the intensity of the heaters. Contact us for a complete consultation.

Universal Control Panel

What type of dimmers can I use with the Universal Control Panel?

The Universal Control Panel can use any 0-120VAC dimmer, including smart dimmers to integrate with your app and Bluetooth capable devices.

Do I need to feed the 0-120VAC dimmer with power?

Yes. Provide power to the dimmer to signal the switch leg to go to the control signal terminal strip in the Universal Panel. Generally power is pulled from a circuit close to the dimmer.

Slimline

Can I recess a SL-Series heater?

No. The SL-Series heater housing operates at a significantly higher temperature

Can the SL-Series heater be painted or powder coated?

No. The SL-Series heater housing is anodized aluminum. It is available in a silver, stainless colored finish or our All Black Slimline Shadow™. Paint or powder coating interferes with the T-slot, and reduces heat dissipation. This layer of paint “insulation” increases the operating temperature of the housing beyond acceptable limits.

Why has my Slimline reflector distorted or warped?

There are two possible reasons. First and most common would be because the safety grill is not properly installed in the channel, between the reflector returns, and under the stainless trim ring. The grill needs to be in the channel to hold the reflector properly placed.

The reflector is designed to expand and contract as the housing heats and cools at a different rate. The reflector has slotted holes on each end. If the screws securing the end are over tightened (tight to the bottom) the reflector can deform with the grill in place. During assembly the end screws are backed out, from 1⁄2 to 1 full turn to allow room for expansion. This is important to know should you need to replace a reflector for damage or maintenance.

Will the SL-Series heater generate the same heat as a comparably rated W-Series heater?

Yes, they will have the same heat output. A watt = watt. The difference is in the styling, and construction, but with the narrower design of the SL units, the heat pattern is slightly more concentrated towards the center.

Do I need to use the supplied mounting brackets?

No. The installer can use any desired bracket that meets the minimum clearance requirements. You can use a 1⁄4″ hex bolt head in the T slot if attaching to structural tubing.