The infrared heaters keeping you warm from brunch to digestifs

Infratech Heaters began making heaters for curing automotive paint in the 1940s. Based in California, the brand still makes paint-curing heaters, but they've since expanded to include a range of infrared heaters for residential and commercial markets, globally.

“Infratech has been operating in Australia for around 20 to 30 years now,” says Lachlan Strachan. “Their heaters are installed in pubs, clubs, restaurants, beer gardens, cafes, and commercial properties across the country, with the more decorative models and slimline versions becoming a popular choice for residential properties.”

Lachlan is a jack of all trades at Infratech Heaters, managing sales, marketing, deliveries, and more for the Australian market. ArchiPro caught up with Lachlan to learn more about the Infratech Heaters range and discover why they’re a brilliant solution for any outdoor space.

"Infratech Heaters are installed in pubs, clubs, restaurants, beer gardens, cafes, and commercial properties across the country, with the more decorative models and slimline versions becoming a popular choice for residential properties.”

“Gas heaters are ineffective outdoors as even a small breeze will blow the heat away. Because infrared heaters heat like the sun, the heat will still reach you no matter what the weather is doing.”

“I talk to a lot of people who are designing outdoor spaces and they haven’t thought about heating. You’ve got to invest in quality heating if you want to make the most of your outdoor areas — especially in places like Melbourne and Sydney where it really chills off in the evenings.”

What are infrared heaters?

An efficient, high-performance alternative to gas heaters, infrared heaters convert energy into radiant heat, similar to the sun. Instead of heating the air, infrared heaters warm objects like walls, furniture and people, which then radiate the heat back into the space.

“Gas heaters are ineffective outdoors as even a small breeze will blow the heat away. Because infrared heaters heat like the sun, the heat will still reach you no matter what the weather is doing,” Lachlan says.

Restaurants and bars often struggle to fill tables in winter, especially if they rely on an outdoor space to seat guests. If the restaurant doesn’t have proper heating, people won’t want to sit outside for long, which means they spend less money.

“Gas heaters may seem cheaper in the beginning, but as they’re heating the air, they chew through gas and restaurants find themselves changing gas bottles multiple times a day. Not only does this make more work for the staff, but gas is a lot more expensive than electricity — especially for businesses who are eligible for a discounted electricity rate,” Lachlan explains.

“An infrared heater is more of an upfront investment, but over time you save significantly. It might cost you $1.50 to run a heater for an hour, but you’ve got full tables buying food and drinks — staying longer because they’re warm — so you make that money back tenfold.”

Similarly, many homeowners spend significantly building outdoor entertainment areas only to find them unusable for half the year.

“I talk to a lot of people who are designing outdoor spaces and they haven’t thought about heating. You’ve got to invest in quality heating if you want to make the most of your outdoor areas — especially in places like Melbourne and Sydney where it really chills off in the evenings.”

Infratech Heaters’ C-Series and SL-Series are slim, single-element heaters designed for high-end spaces — a popular choice for residential installations. Available in Black and Stainless Steel, they are guaranteed to suit any architectural style. For commercial applications, the CD-Series is ideal — boasting a dual element and 4,000 - 6,000 watt capacity.

“People are loving the CD-Series in Black with Contemporary Facia for restaurants, cafes, and bars as the black criss-cross fascia has quite a charming aesthetic.”

“Positioning and placement is not as simple as you think. Unlike many cheap heaters, our heaters are a permanent fixture. Because they’re hardwired in, it’s so important to ensure they’re located in the right position for the best coverage."

Infratech Heaters services and customer support

Infratech Heaters are available to browse both online and in-store at their Melbourne showroom, Lachlan explains.

“Positioning and placement is not as simple as you think. Unlike many cheap heaters, our heaters are a permanent fixture. Because they’re hardwired in, it’s so important to ensure they’re located in the right position for the best coverage.

“We've got a contact us section on our website that prompts clients to upload photos and measurements of their space, and then we consult with them and provide detailed specs. We can also do in-store consults if people want to view the products in person.”

Infratech Heaters supplies a number of dealers across the country, with a complete list available to view on their website.

Learn more about Infratech Heaters.