FAQs - Common questions

Solaira S-WAVE infrared heaters work like the sun, radiating their heat instantly to the person or objects within their beam. It is the most effective way to warm people, as there is no warm up period. Also, as the air in between remains unheated no heat is lost to drafts, open doors or high roof spaces. This form of heating is ideal in commercial buildings, shipping areas, breezy common areas and all outdoor application as the heating can be zoned and controlled.

No. Correctly designed heating layouts (Solaira support and Solaira Authorized Dealers offer a free design service) will establish exact heater requirements. By adding Solaira digital variable controls and occupancy sensors you can save even more energy by adjusting heat requirements to the environment and weather automatically turned off if there is no one in the zone. All operating costs can be calculated in advance and no warm up periods are required.

Yes. Solaira offers variable controllers, which offer maximum flexibility for commercial, industrial and residential applications. Solaira digital, solid-state controllers allow users to maintain the precise level of comfort based on the ambient temperature including hand-held remote contols!. Variable controls allow control of 0 to 100% of total available output.

Occupancy Monitor

Solaira Controls can also be specified with occupancy monitors to only allow activation when there is presence of people.

Temperature Lock Out

Solaira SMaRT controls can be equipped with optional temperature lock out to restrict heater use until minimum ambient temperatures are met, helping save energy when heater use is not required.

Building Management Integration (BMS) heater control

Solaira heaters can be controlled by both commercial and residentially designed BMS systems. Integrated cards in Solaira SHP controls can be connected to popular BMS systems including Honeywell, Schneider, Control4 and many others.

They are 85% radiant efficient within one second of switching on; If Solaira digital controllers are utilized, our “soft start technology” will have the heaters at the desired output within 3 seconds while increasing emitter life by 30%.

Yes. Solaira infrared quartz lamps are similar in operation and safety requirements to normal Halogen floodlight lamps, and when installed as recommended and under normal, correct usage are a low-risk product.

No. Solaira quartz infrared heaters project pure infrared heat and NO Ultra Violet light (UV).

Depending upon the type of heater and its use, the lamps have an average life span of up to 6,000 hours. Utilizing the Solaira digital variable control can increase the life of the emitter by 20%; our “soft start” technology reduces the high inrush and in turn increases the life of the emitter.

Please contact Solaira and Inforesight for details of your local distributors and authorized online re-sellers.

Yes, Solaira quartz infrared heaters produce short wavelength infrared (the only type of heat which is instant, directional and does not blow away) which is different then propane or natural gas heaters. Also, as they do not use gas they are completely safe to use. Solaira offers a range of IP weatherproof quartz heaters which are suitable for outdoor use, and which have been specially coated to prevent rust.

No. Short wave infrared heaters must not be installed within any hazardous area. No part of the electrical control equipment associated with such heaters should be installed in such an area.

Yes, some,

Solaira standard low glare filtered, high efficiency heaters produce approximately 9% consumed energy of the output is light, which gives a gentle illumination. This light output can also be dimmed proportionally with the heat output by utilizing a variable controller.

And less,

Solaira NEW Candel Series heaters filter a further 50% of light with minimal performance loss. Areas requiring low light levels can consider Candel in Wall Mount, Ceiling suspended or integrated (recess) options

Solaira quartz infrared heaters are engineered for specific applications and each heater series has a specific heat pattern based on it mounting height. As a general rule of thumb each single emitter, 1.5kW heaters that is mounted at 8’3” will provide approximately 100 square feet (10’ X 10’ ) of total coverage (TC) and an effective area (EA) of approximately 64 square feet.

The coverage area will change based on:

• the heater configuration,

Example: A 2 emitter, horizontal (side by side), 3.0kW heater will give an approximate 180 sq ft of TC (120 EA) with an 10’ X 18’ coverage layout.

• the heater mounting height

The higher the mounting height, the larger the coverage area HOWEVER there will be a reduction in heat intensity. If you plan to install at a higher mounting height, you should consider increasing the wattage of the heater based on your desired comfort level. Conversely, the lower the mounting height, the smaller the coverage area and a proportional increase in heat intensity.
Solaira design specialists can support your specific heating requirements with a detailed zone-heating plan; contact us directly at 

Yes, the recommended heat density (RHD) in Watt/sq ft will RAISE TARGET COMFORT LEVEL APPROXIMATELY 10 DEGREES FERENHEIT to ambient temperature.

6’7″- 10’/10’ – 14’ MOUNTING HEIGHT:

INSTALLATION TYPE / RHD (W/sq ft) RHD (W/sq ft)
Indoor Insulated / 9 – 11/11 – 13
Indoor Un-insulated / 12 – 15/15 – 18
Indoor Un-insulated/High Draft / 14 – 17/17 – 20
Outdoor Enclosed / 15 – 20/21 – 24
Outdoor Unenclosed / 20 – 30/N/A

To achieve a 15 degree increase in target comfort level, MULTIPLY THE RHD BY 1.5
To achieve a 20 degree increase in target comfort level, MULTIPLY THE RHD BY 2.0

We recommend you contact an authorized Solaira Dealer for design support to meet your specific requirements.

Solaira Heaters are in available and in stock with the following colors:

ALPHA / Silver Grey (RAL9006), Black (RAL9005)
ICR / Antique Aluminum (RAL9007)
XL and Cosy / Black (RAL9005), White (RAL9010)

All heaters can be ordered in specific RAL color.

A BTU (British Thermal Unit) is used to describe the heat value (energy content) of fuels, and also to describe the power of heating and cooling systems, such as furnaces, stoves, barbecue grills, and air conditioners. Each kilowatt of power equals 3412 BTU’s and a 2.0 kW Heater produces 6824 BTU’s.

Solaira quartz infrared heaters produce short wave infrared heat (IR) that essentially warms people, objects and things where most propane or natural gas heaters produce little or no short wave IR, some medium wave IR and mostly “convective heat” (heat that heats the air around the heater and in turn heats you). Convective heat is less efficient as it is not directional and requires transference to the object that is to be heated meaning much of the heat generated is lost to the environment. Solaira short wave IR is 100% directional and the energy is transferred directly to you.

Yes..Solaira Heaters are cCSAus approved for use in Canada and the US to UL2021 and CSA 22.2. Installer should install as per instruction manuals and to all local, state/province and National Electrical code (N.E.C) requirements.

Our residential heaters can simply be plugged into a standard socket (GFI protected for outdoor use) and a certified electrician is recommended to install our commercial, industrial heaters and controllers.

No, Solaira infrared heaters do not consume oxygen to operate and do not produce any carbon dioxide or nitrous oxides (by products of combustion associated with gas or propane burning units) that require extensive venting systems. Always assure the heaters are installed per instruction manuals.

Each heater series has it’s own recommended mounting height and clearances and are based on the heater design and wattage. Solaira 1.5-2.0kW powered units general recommended minimum mounting heights are between 6’7” and 8’3”. Our higher powered units minimum recommended mounting heights start at 8’3” and up. In terms of clearance to above, the minimum recommended ranges from 6” is and up based on the model. Note: there should never be anything within 6’ directly in front of or to the sides of the heater. Please refer to individual product recommended mounting heights for specific instructions.

Yes, but not all. Solaira ICR series heaters are engineered and approved for a fully integrated or recessed installations. Our instruction manuals call for installation of an optional trim kit (that we make available) and a 1 hour fire rated surrounding box provided by your contractor based on your local code requirements. Solaira other heater models are for wall or ceioling suspended and are not to be used in integrated (recessed) applications.