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 With An Infratech Outdoor Heater?
At their Food Services Testing Center, Pacific 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.
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, indoor 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.
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 manual for specific instructions, and be sure to disconnect the power to your heater before attempting to change an element.
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.