An energy efficient infrared oven for use in manufacturing processes comprising: a conveyor system that moves items (210; 610) through the oven at a predetermined rate of speed in a first direction, such that the items (210; 610) sequentially pass through a first heating zone and a second heating zone of the oven from an entrance to the oven to an exit from the oven; the first heating zone within the oven comprising a first plurality of infrared sources (120; 620; 720; 820; 920) having a first set of heating parameters, the first set of heating parameters comprising at least a first peak wavelength, a first distance from the items (210; 610) moved by the conveyor system, and a first output power; and the second heating zone within the oven comprising a second plurality of infrared sources (130; 930) having a second set of heating parameters, the second set of heating parameters comprising at least a second peak wavelength, a second distance from the items moved by the conveyor system, and a second output power, with at least one of the second set of heating parameters varying from the first set of heating parameters, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance, characterized in that the first set of heating parameters for the first plurality of infrared sources (120; 620; 720; 820; 920; 1020) comprises a peak wavelength in the mid infrared portion of the spectrum, and that the second set of heating parameters for the second plurality of infrared sources (130; 930) comprises a peak wavelength in the near infrared portion of the spectrum, whereby the items (210; 610) are sequentially exposed to different types of infrared radiation, wherein an air circulation system moves air inside the oven from the first and second pluralities of infrared sources (120, 130) toward the items (210; 610) moved by the conveyor system. a conveyor system that moves items (210; 610) through the oven at a predetermined rate of speed in a first direction, such that the items (210; 610) sequentially pass through a first heating zone and a second heating zone of the oven from an entrance to the oven to an exit from the oven; the first heating zone within the oven comprising a first plurality of infrared sources (120; 620; 720; 820; 920) having a first set of heating parameters, the first set of heating parameters comprising at least a first peak wavelength, a first distance from the items (210; 610) moved by the conveyor system, and a first output power; and the second heating zone within the oven comprising a second plurality of infrared sources (130; 930) having a second set of heating parameters, the second set of heating parameters comprising at least a second peak wavelength, a second distance from the items moved by the conveyor system, and a second output power, with at least one of the second set of heating parameters varying from the first set of heating parameters, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance, characterized in that the first set of heating parameters for the first plurality of infrared sources (120; 620; 720; 820; 920; 1020) comprises a peak wavelength in the mid infrared portion of the spectrum, and that the second set of heating parameters for the second plurality of infrared sources (130; 930) comprises a peak wavelength in the near infrared portion of the spectrum, whereby the items (210; 610) are sequentially exposed to different types of infrared radiation, wherein an air circulation system moves air inside the oven from the first and second pluralities of infrared sources (120, 130) toward the items (210; 610) moved by the conveyor system.