Step 2: Determine Mounting Height and Measure Space
Infrared heaters will heat people and objects, so next you will want to analyze your space and determine what you would like to heat. Do you want to heat your entire space throughout or is there a specific area what you would like to heat?
You will want to know the length and width of the space you want to heat. This will help you determine how many units. Each heater will have a specific heat bloom, and this is the amount of heat coverage area that unit will give off.
Example: if you have a space that is a 30ft x 20ft and you want to heat the entire space, you will need multiple units, versus if you want to heat specific seating and dining areas, you will need less.
Now that you have identified the space you want to heat, next measure your mounting height. This will help you determine which wattage to choose. Each brand will have multiple wattages to choose from, typically the higher the mounting height, the higher the wattage you will need.
Step 3: Choose preferred mounting
Electric heaters have the most versatility when it comes to mounting options. Electric heaters usually have smaller clearance to combustible minimums when compared to gas and are safe for indoor and outdoor use. Mounting options are listed below, double check the unit you have chosen has your ideal installation type.
Step 4: Select the Correct Wattage
As we mentioned earlier, the higher the mounting height, the higher the heater wattage will need to be. Each heater will have a recommended mounting height and we encourage to follow those recommendations when choosing your heater.
Another important piece when looking at the wattage of the heater you need to confirm with your installer/electrician that your electrical panel can handle the wattage. The most important calculation that will help you determine how much room you will need in your panel for a heater is the amount of amperage (amps) the heater is pulling. To calculate the amps you take the wattage of the heater and divide it by the voltage of the heater.
Example:
Formula: Wattage/Voltage = Amps
A 6,000 watt heater at 240v will pull 25 amps. Your installer/electrician will need to confirm that your panel can handle 25 amps to accommodate the heater.
6000 Watts/240 Volts = 25 Amps
Step 5: Select Controls
The final piece to consider when finalizing your heater selection is to ask yourself how do I want to control the heater? Do I want just a simple on and off control? Do I want to be able to dim it from 0 -100%? Or do I want to integrate it into a smart home system? Each manufacture will offer different control options and knowing the befits will help solidify your choice.