Infrared heat is an energy form similar to the sun's rays warming the earth. Infrared rays are part of the visible light spectrum and travel at 186,000 miles per second in a straight line without loss of heat traveling through the air. The infrared rays can be focused by the material that has a reflective surface such as bright aluminum, like our Patio Comfort aluminum reflectors. When the infrared rays strike an object like human skin, glass, concrete, wood and paint, the infrared rays are converted into heat and these surfaces, in turn, heat up and radiate heat and warmth.