Thermostats in Far-Infrared Systems

Thermostats in Far-Infrared Systems

Technical bulletin: Thermostats in Far-Infrared Systems

Control of individual panels

• Single panels may be wall or ceiling mounted and plugged in when needed
• Alternately, a switched outlet or (if temperature control is required) a line-voltage thermostat may be used
• Line-voltage thermostats can be separate plug-in units or these can be located in a standard wall-switch box

Control of Prestyl Systems

• Panels may be wall or ceiling mounted and are switched on or off by a relay that is controlled by a thermostat
• There may be one thermostat for an entire installation, or a thermostat per zone
• With far-IR, there may be multiple thermostats in one space to create different comfort zones, to balance for AC systems, or to balance the “north/south” exposure effect

Location of thermostats
Before we explain the location of a thermostat in a far-infrared system, we must first understand how far-infrared works and how the thermostat becomes a part of the system.

• Far-infrared heat warms up objects and people, not the air
• Thermostats “read” the air temperature, not the “comfort temperature” or the effect of the far-infrared
• So if we do not heat the air, how does a thermostat work in a far-infrared system?
• The answer is quite simple: Air in a room rises in temperature because the objects in the space heat up and their warmth of their surfaces creates a “convection flow”; this flow is from the floor to the ceiling
• Since this convection is minimal the actual room temperature registered by the thermostat is lower than in a conventional system (usually 2-5 degrees lower)
• Because (just like with the sun) people feel the infrared warmth emitted from the panels, the floor and the objects in a space, they do not need hot air to keep them comfortable
• It should be noted that the difference between floor and ceiling temperatures is usually less than 2-4 degrees
• Also, since we do not rely on hot air to keep us warm, the space will be comfortable within seconds after opening and closing an outside door

Because the air temperature in a far-infrared environment is virtually the same at all elevations, the placement of a thermostat is much less critical than in a hot air system. Hence,

• A plug-in line-voltage thermostat may be plugged in only a foot (30cm) from the floor, a foot (30cm) below the ceiling, or anywhere in between
• It is not recommended to place a thermostat on the floor or on the ceiling as there is virtually no convection present (convection is required by the thermostat to operate correctly)
• Thermostats should not be placed on poorly insulated outside walls
• Thermostats should be placed at least 3 feet (1m) from a panel where possible
• Thermostats should not be placed immediately above a panel

Purchasing thermostats (Prestyl purchasing service)
Prestyl is a far-infrared heating panel manufacturer; it does not sell or stock thermostats, relays or accessories.

Prestyl does offer a purchasing service where it would purchase such components as a service. The charge for this service is the real cost of the component (including shipping, tax and or duty, if applicable) plus a 20% handling fee.

A courtesy listing of third-party components is available from Prestyl or its dealers/distributors Prestyl does not warrant or endorse third-party equipment

General specifications for line-Voltage thermostats:
120 Volts 15 Amps – Max. Two 48″ x 24″ (120 x 60 cm) or four 24″ x 24″ (6060) panels per thermostat.

230/240 Volts 10 Amps – Max. Three 48″ x 24″ (120 x 60 cm) or six 24″ x 24″ (6060) panels per thermostat.

General specifications low-voltage thermostats:
Virtually any low-voltage thermostat with a dry-relay closure on “heat-call”; may be used in conjunction with a DC controlled hybrid or electronic relay, or…

A thermostat capable of supporting the relays or contactors selected.

(See Prestyl’s system wiring diagrams for more details)