What is the difference between short wave and long wave infrared?
Short wave infrared is what comes directly from the sun. It is converted into heat when it comes in contact with an object. Long wave infrared, as a result of solar energy, has started as short wave, but has come in contact with an object and is now felt as heat. This is what you see when you look at a hot object in the summer and you see waves coming up from it (the short wave energy is being converted to heat). Other sources of long wave energy include furnaces and fireplaces.
