Dive Brief:
- Modine introduced two new infrared heaters Monday that can be used for commercial and residential spaces.
- The MEQ infrared heater, which balances heating performance with low-light output, provides up to 4,800 watts of power for indoor and outdoor applications, while the no-light MES infrared heater provides consistent, high heat to remove the “chill” in moderate climates, according to a news release.
- Since infrared heaters transfer their heat directly to people and objects in spaces, rather than to the air around them, they offer a more energy-efficient and cost-effective approach to heating spaces, Jon Schlemmer, vice president and general manager of Modine’s heating business, told Facilities Dive. He said the MEQ and MES series cost $0.24 to $0.77 per hour to heat spaces.
Dive Insight:
Traditional methods that heat entire spaces tend to be costly and wasteful, posing challenges for facilities and property managers striving to maintain comfortable work environments in large spaces. In New England, where heating commercial buildings is the most energy intensive due to its cold climate, average commercial electricity prices climbed around 6.2% year over year to $19.23 in November 2023, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
The MEQ heater, packaged in a weatherproof enclosure, is equipped with a high-intensity, low-light Tungsten bulb that delivers directional heat, per the release. Modine said this heat is evenly distributed and not typically impacted by wind. It also comes with a remote for indoor and outdoor use.
The MES is a radiant heater, which can provide consistent heat with its long-wave radiant and convective heat output, the release said, noting that it works well for fully or partially enclosed spaces with minimal wind exposure.
In an interview with Facilities Dive, Schlemmer said the MEQ and MES bulbs are expected to perform for over 5,000 hours before they need to be replaced. These products, he noted, can be installed in places where water or gas lines may be hard to reach, allowing for greater space utilization and the potential to generate more revenue.
“For example, restaurants with patios that install MEQ or MES will be able to open their outdoor spaces earlier in spring and comfortably serve their customers later [in the] fall,” he said.
The infrared heaters operate quietly and can be mounted on walls or ceilings, Modine said in the release, adding that both products feature powder-coated aluminum body panels that provide resistance to corrosion and deformation.
Earlier in February, Modine had alluded to a “relatively flat” heating market, with CFO and Executive Vice President Michael Lucareli pointing to reduced expectations of heating and heat transfer product sales. The launch of MEQ and MES comes as the company pushes to expand and diversify its portfolio of heating solutions, Modine said.
