Gas Infrared Tube Heaters: The Best Way to Heat Your Barn

A common problem with heating most barns and other animal confinement buildings is that many are poorly insulated and most forced air heating systems are just plain inefficient.  The solution – gas infrared heaters.
More specifically - gas infrared tube heaters.

Superior Radiant UX Series Gas Infrared Tube Heater

What is infrared?

Infrared is just another term for radiant.  Think of a stove, fireplace, oven or even our own sun.  These sources all emit infrared (radiant) heat energy at the speed of light in a straight line.  Upon striking objects (floors, people, machinery, animals, etc.) that energy converts to heat to warm the surrounding air.  Think of the sun.  The sun does not heat the air, the sun heats the earth and the earth heats the air.

In a barn or other large open interior space, infrared heaters are specially made to produce safe, comfortable radiant heat.  Generally, infrared heaters are directed downward from the ceiling toward a target area below.  For instance, in a horse barn infrared heaters can be directed toward a wash and grooming area or down a common walkway, between horse stalls or even in riding arenas.

Infrared Radiant Tube Heaters in
Horse Riding Arena

Infrared Tube Heaters in Dairy Facility

What kind of infrared heaters are best suited for the barn environment?

Gas infrared tube heaters are usually the best for heating equine facilities.  Why?  A few good reasons:

1) Infrared tube heaters emit soft, comfortable radiant heat energy without moving any air with no drafts.  No blowing air can help prevent respiratory illnesses and enhance the overall health of horses and other animals.
2) General creature comfort is improved.  Infrared heats the ground.  Warm floors means warm bodies and feet.
3) Infrared, like light, can be directed at a target.  For barns, this can mean the horse wash area, dry off areas, stalls, aisle ways, or wherever the need for heat is greatest.
4) Energy savings and efficiency.  Infrared heaters can be strategically mounted to throw radiant energy where it is needed, rather than to empty spaces.  This tactical approach to heating space can save a boatload of money in operational expenses versus forced-air heating methods.
5) Infrared tube heaters are completely self contained.  By drawing outside air into the burner at one end and venting products of combustion out the opposite end to the outside, the flame inside the heater is completely isolated from dusty and contaminated indoor air.  This prolongs the life of the heater.
6) Animals like the feel of radiant warmth from the sun.  An infrared heating system provides the same kind of comfort.  Animals are generally happier and healthier, which is especially important in generating optimum birthing conditions in hog and poultry production facilities.

Radiant Tube Heaters in Hog Production Facility

What exactly is a tube heater?

A tube heater consists of a burner box, which includes control components much a gas valve, circuit board, safety switch, etc.)  Extending horizontally from the burner is a long 4” diameter 16 guage steel tube, anywhere from 10 to 70 feet in length.  Positioned above is an aluminum parabolic reflector running over the length of the tube.  When the burner comes on, a long flame shoots down the tube until it gets hot.  The reflector ensures that heat energy that bounces out from the top portions of the tubing gets reflected downward to the floor area.  The goal is to get all of that energy focussed downward.

A simple web search of infrared tube heaters will give you a good overview of the different tube heater brands and what they offer.  Hint:  not all brands are the same.  For instance, one manufacturer has a 100% efficient reflector configuration – the best in the industry.  Others range anywhere from 65% efficient (effective) to 95%.  A superior reflector design can mean better heating efficiency and lower operating costs.

If you’re searching for a tube heating system, do a thorough online search first.  Look for the best warranty, best construction quality, best reflective efficiency, and best serviceability among all brands.  Then, buy only from a company with a solid reputation in the infrared industry, a company capable of giving you the type of support that will merit your business.  You should get a good price, of course, but make sure that whoever you buy from will be on hand to fulfill, guarantee and offer support to you down the road.


About the Author:

Scott Workman is president and owner of Infra-Red Products Supply, Inc. and an expert since 1986 in gas infrared space heating systems.  Want to learn more about barn heaters, workshop heaters, garage heaters, infrared tube heaters and more?  Go to Infra-Red Products Supply, Inc.  and  Heaters Unlimited

How Do I Choose The Best Outdoor Patio Heater?

You walk into Costco, Home Depot or some other “big box” store and you eye a freestanding portable “mushroom” propane patio heater.  You see the price, then in your mind you ask “how can this heater be so comparatively cheap?”  

Typical Box Store Patio Heater
Cheaply Made and Cheap to Buy

The answer to that question can be answered in the question itself.  Heaters sold in the “box” stores are typically made cheap, compared those higher end versions sold in specialty retail locations such as BBQ, hearth and patio showrooms.  To many consumers, these cheaper heaters can do the job just fine and they certainly serve a purpose in the marketplace.

For more discriminating consumers, we recommend shopping for a commercial grade heater that will perform better and for many more years.  Here are a few considerations as you shop for a higher quality, longer lasting patio heater.

1) Patio heaters are made using different materials.  Some are made using 304 Stainless steel, some are made using 430 Stainless steel.  430 stainless will look better and last much longer than 304.  Others come with posts and bases powder coated black, white, bronze, gray, green or even red.  Remember, patio heaters are outdoor heaters.  Ask, how will the heater hold up to the weather.  430 stainless tops them all.

2) Consider the heater weight.  Some heaters are very light, which means that the thickness of the post, heater head, reflector, base and other components are likely made from smaller guage materials.  Typically, a 65 lb. heater is not as well-built as a 110 lb. heater.  We contend that a heavier heater is less flimsy, less likely to tip over on windy days, and will last a lot longer than light weight heaters.

3) What is the reflector diameter?  Smaller diameter reflectors reflect heat in a relatively smaller 8’ circle.  In fact, it is not uncommon to see people almost“hugging” the post with cheaper grade patio heaters.  By contrast, better made patio heaters have slightly larger reflectors, which spread heat to a 12’ circle.   Also look at how the reflector mounts to the heater head.  Is it well supported?  Some reflectors are not and will distort over time and use.

4) Look at the design of the heater head.  The industry standard patio heater uses a “drum-style” burner, which is inherently inefficient in terms of reflective efficiency.  Recent new technology uses an engineered “double surface” reflector that provides unmatched perimeter comfort.  The reason is that up to 58% more useable heat energy is reflected in a broader perimeter pattern than conventional patio heaters.  To our knowledge, only one manufacturer offers this kind of technology.  That benefit can also reduce the number of heaters needed to cover larger areas.

5) Portability.  Does the heater come with wheels?  Not all do.  Wheels simply make the heater easier to move from one spot to another.

6) What about the ignition control?  Cheaper versions use a simple Piezo control to ignite a pilot before turning the heater on.  A good commercial grade heater should have a battery spark control for better reliability and easier starts.  Difficulty lighting a patio heater is common among manufacturers of less expensive models and a big frustration for consumers.

7) Will you be able to get parts and service for the patio heater you buy?  If you buy from a box store retailer or home center, will you be able to get parts and service later on?  Specialty retailers and internet web sites are sometimes no better.  So, wherever you buy your patio heater, make sure you can get the service you need down the road to keep it working for years to come.

The EvenGlo
with Patented Burner Technology
"The Best Patio Heater In The Industry"

Buy this heater online

The old adage, “you get what you pay for” certainly holds true for patio heaters.  Are you willingly to pay a bit more for the convenience, appearance and reliability of a top-grade patio heater?

Learn more details about the EvenGlo patio heater

How To Find the Right Heater for Your Garage or Workshop

We’re often asked, “what is the best way to heat a garage”?, “how can I best heat my workshop”?, or “how do I size a heater for my space?”  There are many variables involved in selecting just the right heater or heaters to meet your specific criteria.

Model H25N Garage Heater

To choose the correct size of heater for your garage or shop space, begin by answering the following questions:

- How big is the space to be heated (square footage and ceiling height)?
- What is the building constructed of?  Steel, Wood, Brick?
- How well is the space insulated?  Insulated walls, ceiling, overhead doors, etc.?
- What is the climate in your area?  Northern climate?  Southern climate?
- What fuel do you have available?  Natural or LP gas?  Electricity only?

Once these questions are answered, it’s just a matter of doing a quick heat loss calculation to come up with the BTU heat load requirement needed to do the job effectively.

So how do I conduct a heat-loss calculation?  Simple.  You don’t.  A qualified heating professional – usually a heating equipment distributor – can to do that for you.  Call around until you find someone willing to do the calculation.  It is important to not undersize or oversize the heater for your application.

Once you’ve determined the actual heat load requirement for your given space, the next step is to search out the various heater types and heater methods available in the marketplace.  Are you looking for a portable heater or a fixed heater? Electric forced air heater?  Gas forced air or gas radiant (infrared)?  Vented or vent-free heater?  Don’t know for sure?  Then get on the internet and begin searching.  Type into your browser such keywords as:

- “garage heater”
- “workshop heater”
- “forced air heater”
- “gas infrared heater”
- “electric garage heater”
- “infrared tube heater”
- “vent free heater”

Searching keywords and phrases with any combination of the above will get you well on the road to viewing a lot of options from a lot of manufacturers.

Next, search from companies that specialize in the type of heater or heating products that you feel would be best suited to your application.  This is critical.  A little research can pay off big.  After-all, not all heater manufacturer’s are alike.  There can be substantial differences between brands, heater quality, warranties, return policies, etc.

Once you’ve narrowed down your search, do a few phone interviews.  Find out more about the company you intend to buy from.  Of course, you want a good heater.  But buying from a reputable re-seller is just as important.  Find a company with the strength, reputation and staying power to offer you whatever support you may need right now as well as in the years to come.

The company you choose to buy from should be friendly and have the technical expertise to help you make the best heater selection.

For expert advice on choosing just the right heater for your application, go to one of the following web sites:
go to Infra-Red Products Supply, Inc.  or to buy online: Heaters Unlimited