Advice on Ceramic Infra Red (IR) Heat Lamps
Tips on buying a replacement
Correct Wattage/ Voltage?
In terms of wattage (heat output), it’s obviously important to for you buy a like-for-like replacement to maintain the correct temperature environment inside your vivarium.
A Voltage of 220-240 indicates the heater is compatible with UK domestic electricity supplies.
Both the wattage and voltage of your existing Ceramic IR Heat Lamp can usually be found printed on it e.g. 60W 220-240V or 100W 240V etc
Correct cap fitting?
This shouldn’t be a problem since the vast majority of Ceramic IR Heat Lamps use a standard ES (Edison Screw) cap. All our range of heaters use E27 connections
Correct size?
If you currently use a heater guard (e.g. wire mesh type) we recommend that you confirm your guard will accommodate your chosen replacement heater. Please check its dimensions (height, width) given on the “Select & Buy” page(s) on this site.
Don’t get caught out!
Ceramic IR Heaters will often operate for a very long time when installed correctly using a ceramic bulb holder, heat resistant cable and linked to a thermostat.
Given this long life, you probably can’t remember how long you’ve been using your existing heater and are surprised when one day it just stops working!
Since your heater maintains the required temperature inside your vivarium, this surprise can quickly turn to concern for your reptiles’ welfare if you don’t have a replacement heater to hand!
This is why many reptile owners like to keep a spare heater, just in case!
Buying a Ceramic IR Heat Lamp for a new vivarium
This is trickier since you must consider two main variables when selecting a heat lamp – vivarium size and the type of reptile (and therefore its specific temperature requirements) you propose to keep in it.
However, this can easily be resolved by seeking advice from the supplier of your reptile before you bring it home. It’s important to note that it’s considered best practice to set up your new vivarium and achieve the appropriate internal temperature environment etc, a few days prior to introducing your new reptile to it.
Once you’ve found out what heater/ wattage is appropriate for your new reptile, click to buy and we’ll aim to deliver it to you within 48 hours.
Safety warning
Our range of heaters can be thermostatically controlled with natural sun-like infrared heat outputs ranging from 60W to 250W. When operating, the ceramic element will become very hot and therefore any accidental contact will cause burn injury.
We strongly advise that a metal guard is used to shield it from contact with, for example, your hands or climbing reptiles. This safety precaution is important because since Ceramic IR Heaters emit no light, there is no visible indication that the heater is operating. When switched off, please allow at least 15 minutes before touching the ceramic element.
All our heaters must only be used with a Ceramic ES27 Bulb Holder and connected using heat resistant cable. |
Helpful links
www.thebhs.org The British Herpetological Society
www.provet.co.uk Article: Reptiles and Environmental Temperature
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