Save energy costs and protect the environment: Dark radiators are among the most efficient heating systems for halls that you can buy. But which infrared system is right for you? We give you an overview.

Dark radiators, also called infrared radiators, offer you more flexibility than classic heating systems. Why? Because the systems don’t heat the air per se – a heating method that is comparatively inefficient. Instead, dark radiators transmit energy in the form of electromagnetic waves. When these waves hit a solid, the energy is converted into heat. This makes it possible to heat with the usage profile of a hall and to exclude layers of air above the usage area.

Another advantage: Since the heat does not take a detour via the air, the systems can be switched on and off as quickly as light. With this responsiveness, the heaters adapt perfectly to the dynamics of everyday life, such as when doors open. They only heat where heat is needed, thus saving energy. Up to 70 percent of energy costs can be saved compared to conventional heating systems. Employees also find the heat particularly pleasant because it resembles the natural heating principle of the sun. They can work correspondingly productively. So much for the advantages. But what technology should you know if you want to buy a dark radiator?

PRIMA entry-level line convinces with 60 % radiation efficiency

Do you have to do without infrared technology on a tight budget? Not at all, proves PRIMA. Even on a small budget, you can buy a dark radiator and benefit from its numerous advantages. The entry-level line from KÜBLER is inexpensive and yet powerful. It uses the best burner technology that we originally developed for the high-end MAXIMA series. The result is remarkable for a standard class heater. PRIMA brings a radiation efficiency of around 60 percent into the hall in the form of directly usable infrared heat.

This pays off directly for users of the technology. They save around ten percent on heating costs compared with conventional standard infrared units. The entry-level line is equally suitable for new halls and renovation projects. The only important factor is the ceiling height. It should be at least four meters.

OPTIMA high-performance infrared heating series: 72 % radiation efficiency

OPTIMA plus goes one step further. Since its introduction, this infrared heating series has been one of the most efficient and powerful dark radiators you can buy. KÜBLER has developed a burner technology especially for this series that ensures a homogeneous distribution of the gas-air mixture. It produces a long flame and scores with an excellent energy transfer from flame to radiant tube. As a result, the infrared heat is transferred evenly to the room environment – regardless of whether the hall height is four or 35 meters.

The outer shell of the high-end heater is also closed and fully insulated. The burner and radiation tube are geometrically optimized so that as little heat as possible escapes upwards. The bottom line is that OPTIMA plus achieves a radiation efficiency of 72 percent. Depending on the hall project, operators can save up to 30 percent energy compared to conventional infrared technologies. The investment in OPTIMA plus therefore pays for itself in two to five years.

MAXIMA: How to buy a dark radiator that reaches 80% radiation efficiency

The MAXIMA series is KÜBLER’s high-efficiency line. In six years of development, the engineers have succeeded in setting benchmarks in the world of dark radiators with new technologies. For example, they have developed a new burner technology – including a system that preheats the combustion air. It achieves an enormously high radiation efficiency of 80 percent (measured according to DIN EN 416-2) with minimized convection losses. As a result, users save up to 45 percent in energy costs compared to standard infrared heaters. They also protect the environment thanks to low consumption values and the hearing of their employees. Because no infrared heating system is quieter. Last but not least, the MAXIMA series impresses with its design. This is confirmed not only by numerous customers across countries, but also by the international design competition “Design Plus powered at ISH”. It has awarded MAXIMA with a seal of quality.

In addition to the MAXIMA, OPTIMA plus and PRIMA series of dark radiators, KÜBLER also offers other infrared systems that can be individually adapted to hall geometries: For example, the NRV multiburner system. These are multi-torches connected in series – with a continuous radiation tube. They are ideal for large areas and low ceiling heights.

Buy intelligent control systems for more efficiency to complement the dark radiator

In order to buy a dark radiator that can unleash its full energy-saving potential, you need another key component in addition to the devices: intelligent control systems. KÜBLER specializes in their development. To optimize the control of hall heating systems, we have developed a modular control system called CELESTRA. This is a highly functional, intuitive control cockpit that allows users to adapt system operation to changing requirements and run at optimum efficiency levels. Up to 20% additional savings can be generated in this way – even more depending on the project.

One of the most important modules: E.M.M.A. (Energy Monitoring & Management Application). With this intelligent software tool, users analyze, archive, compare and document temperature curves, heating outputs and consumption data. In this way, you gain important information for the continuous optimization of the heating process and create the basis for certifications or audits, for example, according to DIN EN ISO 50001.

Saving even more energy: H.Y.B.R.I.D. overall system recovers heat from waste gas from hall heating systems and production processes

KÜBLER offers much more than just individual components. In order to achieve maximum energy efficiency, we have developed a complete system called H.Y.B.R.I.D.. The hybrid technology combines infrared and hydraulic systems. As an overall system, H.Y.B.R.I.D. integrates high-efficiency infrared heaters such as MAXIMA, digital controls (e.g. CELESTRA) and a heat exchanger called O.P.U.S. X. A combination that makes it possible for the first time to use the residual heat from hall heating systems to heat offices, for example. And what’s more: energy flows from production processes or from solar thermal energy (HelioB.R.I.D. system) can also be combined and used in the hybrid system.

To do this, O.P.U.S. X extracts the energy from the exhaust gas and transfers it to a storage medium, usually water. The hot water can then be fed into the heating circuit return of a pumped hot water heating system via a buffer tank. Up to 15 percent of the energy that was previously lost to the environment can be recovered in this way.

In terms of energy efficiency, the combination of dark radiator, control and residual heat recovery is virtually unbeatable: Up to 70 % energy savings have been proven in reference projects so far. It is not without reason that H.Y.B.R.I.D. was awarded the German Sustainability Prize as Germany’s most sustainable product.

Conclusion: Buy dark radiators that pay off

If you want to buy dark radiators, you can choose from numerous products on the market. To find the right one, you should first get an overview of the specifics, requirements, and how your hall will be used. Then use our free configurator so that we can make you an individual offer!