Can Infrared Heaters Damage My Property or Goods?

When choosing a heating system, safety is always an important consideration. A common question asked is whether infrared heaters can overheat or damage products, stock, or property.

Do Infrared Heaters Overheat Surfaces?

Infrared heaters warm objects and people directly rather than heating the air. That efficiency sometimes raises the question: will they make materials excessively hot? The answer is reassuring! Infrared heaters do not overheat or damage materials when installed correctly.

Independent Testing

Two independent tests have been carried out to examine this:

• Procter & Gamble Pallet Test A 2.3-metre double-stacked pallet made of cardboard and shrink wrap was placed directly in front of an infrared heater mounted at 3 metres. A temperature probe measured the pallet corner facing the heater over time. Even after repeated trials, the maximum temperature recorded was just 27.6°C, a perfectly safe level.

• Fire Station Vehicle Test A 3kW industrial heater was positioned 1.5 metres from the front of a fire engine, exposing the painted surface and stickers to full power for 20 minutes. The maximum surface temperature reached was only 41°C, less than you'd expect from a bright sunny day.

Together, these tests show that even under direct exposure, infrared heaters keep surface temperatures well within safe limits, proving they won't damage materials, vehicles, or equipment.

Are Infrared Heaters Dangerous?

Infrared heaters are considered one of the safest heating options available. For added peace of mind, they should always be:

• Installed according to manufacturer guidelines
• Kept clear of fabrics, paper, or other materials touching the heater surface

The Bottom Line

Infrared heaters will not overheat surfaces and are not inherently dangerous. Independent testing shows that even when aimed directly at cardboard and shrink wrap, surface temperatures remain well within safe limits.

For businesses and facilities looking for a reliable, efficient, and safe way to heat large spaces, infrared heating offers peace of mind as well as comfort.