Reptile Systems Gold Infrared Unit 100w – Infrared Heat Lamp for Vivariums

The RS Gold Infrared Unit is a 100w infrared heating system supplied complete with lamp, designed to deliver deep, penetrating heat with minimal visible light output. It is suited to reptile keepers who want an effective primary heat source that does not disrupt their animal's day/night cycle — a genuine advantage over standard basking spots.

What infrared heating does for your reptile

Infrared light sits beyond the visible spectrum, beginning where the human eye stops detecting colour at around 700nm. This unit is rich in both Infrared A (IR-A, approximately 700–1400nm) and Infrared B (IR-B, approximately 1400–3000nm) — the wavelengths absorbed directly by tissue, supporting thermoregulation, digestion, and natural activity patterns. Because reptiles are ectotherms, the quality of heat available to them has a direct impact on their physiological function and overall wellbeing.

Why gold infrared differs from a standard basking lamp

The lamp takes its name from the gold metallic coating visible when the unit is cold. This coating is functional: it shapes the infrared output and keeps visible light emission extremely low. Unlike a conventional basking bulb, this lamp heats through radiation rather than primarily warming the air — meaning air movement has little effect on its efficiency. Heat is projected across a broad area, more closely replicating the diffuse warmth of natural sunlight than a concentrated spot lamp can achieve. Surrounding surfaces absorb and re-radiate this energy, adding a conductive and convective component to the enclosure's thermal environment.

How to use it correctly

This unit must be used with a dimming thermostat — not an on/off or pulse-proportional model. The 100w output is appropriate for moderate-sized enclosures; a higher-wattage version is available for larger setups. It can serve as the sole heat source within a terrarium, provided the thermostat is correctly calibrated for the species being kept.

What's included

• RS Gold Infrared Unit housing and 100w infrared lamp included as standard
• Rich in IR-A and IR-B wavelengths for deep tissue heat absorption
• Low visible light output — does not interfere with day/night photoperiod
• Broad heat projection area for a more natural basking experience
• Compatible with dimming thermostats
• Suitable as the primary heat source in a vivarium or terrarium

For reptile keepers who take thermoregulation seriously, the RS Gold Infrared Unit offers a biologically relevant heat source that works with your animal's physiology rather than simply raising ambient temperature.