Infrared heat is a form of energy similar to the sun’s rays, which warm the earth. Infrared rays are part of the visible light spectrum and travel at the speed of light (186,000 miles per second) in a straight line without losing heat as they pass through the air. This makes infrared heat an efficient way to warm objects and spaces without heating the air itself.
When infrared rays hit a surface—such as human skin, glass, concrete, wood, or paint—they are absorbed and converted into heat. These surfaces then radiate warmth back into the surrounding environment. Materials with reflective surfaces, like aluminum, can help focus and direct infrared rays to specific areas, making infrared heat a highly effective and targeted form of heating.
In outdoor heating systems, infrared technology is often used because it efficiently warms objects and people directly, even in cooler or windy conditions, without wasting energy on heating the air. This makes it ideal for patio heaters, fire pits, and other outdoor heating applications.