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How to Heat Your Barn

A common problem with heating most barns or 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.

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.

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

Gas infrared tube heaters are usually the best for heating equine buildings, poultry brooders, hog farm buildings, dairy buildings and kennels. 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 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.

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 99.9% 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.

Scott Workman owns and operates Infra-Red Products Supply, Inc. of Draper, Utah. Since 1986, Infra-Red Products has become recognized as one of the foremost leaders in energy saving heating system design and sales for residential, commercial and industrial consumers.

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