Commercial and industrial applications have long made use of infrared (IR) heating systems in order to keep occupants warm in wide-open spaces, such as warehouses, garages, and airplane hangars. The technology is effective and energy efficient because it works the same way the sun does, by heating people and objects directly.
“Like standing in the sun on a cold day, people working under infrared heaters absorb radiant energy and stay warm in a building with a lower ambient air temperature,” said Randy Niederer, director of marketing, Cambridge Engineering, St. Louis. “This saves energy by allowing building owners to turn down the thermostat and still keep occupants comfortable.”