Most of the heaters work on the basic principles of heating through conduction, convection or radiation or a combination of any of these. These systems primarily heat the medium thru which they pass, which in most of the cases is air present around. But, infrared heaters work differently in the sense that they heat the objects straight away, without heating the medium.
You may understand it as a kind of light that can’t be seen but it generates heat that can be felt. Its wavelengths are longer than that of light but shorter than radio waves. The primary construction of an infrared heater comprises of a tungsten wire element enclosed in a clear tube of quartz crystal. When we pass an electric current thru the tungsten wire, it gets heated up, but the quartz crystal entraps this heat inside the tube. That further raises the temperature of the wire and it starts emitting heat in the form of infrared rays.
It is very interesting to learn that all the objects, human beings included, are constantly emitting infra red rays, though of insignificant value, but the quantum of light emitted by quartz is much larger. On coming in contact with some object on the way, it transfers a part of its energy to that object, which gets heated in the process. Yes, you are right in concluding that if there is no hindrance in the form of an object on its way, this light simply passes thru the air. Infrared heaters are often provided with a mirrored coating at the back that allows them to remain focused in a particular direction.
Why you need Infrared Quartz Heater?
Infrared quartz heaters keep you comfortably warm during extreme winters and rainy days of autumn. These can be used in any area, including outdoor patios, where the temperature is below the comfort level.