Case Study: Replacing Gas “Mushroom” Heaters at Ernest Henry Mine with Heliosa 66 Infrared Heating

Project Overview

Heating an outdoor area efficiently is rarely straightforward. When Ernest Henry Mine (QLD) decided to replace their bottle gas “mushroom” heaters due to poor performance and high running costs, the outdoor recreation area became the key focus. Their electrical supplier, Sherriff Infrastructure (Garbutt), recommended a more efficient option for outdoor comfort: Heliosa 66 short-wave infrared heaters. The Heliosa 66 has since delivered a practical, cost-effective solution that better suits the off-duty workforce’s comfort needs in this space.

What is Short-wave Infrared?

Short-wave infrared heating operates on a wavelength that provides fast, direct heat transfer. Unlike many conventional heaters that attempt to warm the surrounding air, short-wave infrared warms people and surfaces (such as furniture and floors) directly. This makes it well suited to outdoor areas, where ambient temperature and airflow can quickly reduce the effectiveness of air-heating methods. The result is a more consistent feeling of warmth, even when conditions are cooler or breezy.

Space Assessment

The accommodation block’s outdoor recreational area experiences noticeable temperature variation, with lower temperatures during the day and night, particularly through the colder months. The area is covered by shade cloth to provide protection from the summer sun. However, it can still become wet, so the selected heating solution needed to tolerate rainfall and damp conditions.

Another important consideration was installation. The heaters would be permanently mounted to the shade cloth structure, which placed the units in close proximity to the shade cloth itself. This made casing temperature and safe operation a key requirement for the chosen system.

Solution for Mining Relaxation Area

Heliosa 66 short-wave infrared heaters were well suited to this location. The combination of a short-wave lamp and a patented parabolic reflector helps project energy away from the heater casing. As a result, the casing reportedly remains around 45°C even after extended operation, which reduces the risk of heat impact on nearby shade cloth.

The heaters are also rated for wet-weather use and can operate safely during rainfall. In addition, the required mounting height of 2.4m for this area aligned well with the heater’s recommended installation range.

We provide heat maps and installation location guidance for customers where required. In this case, working with Sherriff Infrastructure, who supplied site dimensions and photos, a clear proposal was prepared. This allowed mine management to understand exactly what was being purchased and gave site electricians clear direction on installation locations.

Results

The installation of Heliosa 66 short-wave infrared heaters at the Ernest Henry Mine Social Club has improved the comfort and usability of the outdoor recreation area for miners and visitors. Twelve 2kW heaters were positioned across three sections of the 20m x 8m area, providing accessible warmth even when conditions change. Comfort levels have increased, and the outdoor space can be used more often and for longer periods across cooler months.

More mining sites are recognising the convenience, effectiveness, and running cost advantages of short-wave infrared heating compared with traditional bottle gas “mushroom” heaters. SBH Solutions is available to support mines and mining electrical suppliers with heat maps, layout guidance, and practical advice when upgrading to short-wave outdoor heating.