An electric heating panel can encompass different technologies and versions. Start not with the exterior but with the question: do you want temporary extra warmth in one place, to heat an entire room or to address a whole building? We explain how to match technology, output, controls and costs to that application.
Key choices
Compare products at the same desired comfort and usage. Ask about heat loss, positioning, electrical load and suitable controls. A low purchase price, high wattage or the word infrared alone does not tell you the running costs.
What types of panels are available?
A convector gives off a relatively large amount of heat through air flowing past its element. An infrared panel is intended to radiate heat towards exposed people and surfaces, but also gives off convection heat. Combination or hybrid panels use both forms; operation differs by model. Here, hybrid does not automatically mean a combination with a heat pump or boiler.
With electric resistance appliances, input electricity ultimately becomes almost entirely heat at the point of use. That differs from the radiant fraction or savings. A heat pump also transfers heat from another source and can therefore deliver the same amount of heat using less electricity. Include that distinction when considering main heating.
Comparing performance and consumption fairly
Calculate using actual power, operating time and your own tariff. A 1 kW appliance actually switched on for two hours consumes 2 kWh; this is a calculation example, not a prediction for a room. With thermostat control, operating time depends on heat demand. Where possible, use measurements of the complete system and compare at equivalent comfort.
Heating does not automatically reduce heat loss through ventilation or a poor building envelope. Heated walls and furniture also release stored heat later; storage does not supply extra energy. A fixed reduction in air temperature, a mould-free home or relief from health complaints is not a general product promise.
Applications at home and work
Local supplementary heating can be considered for a seating area, home office or workstation. Assess distance and obstacles such as a desk, sofa or cabinet from the actual position of use. For an entire living room or home, assess the complete heat demand and coverage instead. Local warmth does not automatically make it appropriate to let the rest of the building become much colder.
Bathrooms and workshops require additional assessment. Where moisture is present, check the exact model, mounting point and electrical installation together; an IP code alone is insufficient. In workshops, also assess dust, combustible materials, impact risk and other machinery. A living-room model is not automatically suitable for industrial conditions.
Coordinating output and installation
Have heat loss calculated for main heating. External surface area, insulation, glazing, ventilation, height and desired temperature are among the factors. Floor area, volume or a single insulation value alone does not determine required output. Also check how warmth reaches the places used and how each room is controlled.
Use only the mounting method permitted for the product. Have load-bearing capacity, fixings, clearances, cable route and electrical load checked. Ceiling mounting is not automatically better than wall mounting. Even a plug-in appliance needs a suitable socket and use according to the manual; do not cover it or improvise with extension leads.
Coordinate thermostat, receiver and panel technically. Choose a representative sensor position and test each zone. An app or protocol name does not establish compatibility. For main heating, also record what happens during power or communication failure and how users can intervene manually if the model supports this.
Our help with product selection
We help private and business end users, installers and wholesalers with a suitable combination of version, positioning and controls. State what is already present and send photographs and a floor plan. For mirror, printed or coloured panels, also compare exact dimensions, weight and factory options actually available; do not alter the heating surface yourself.
From choice to a complete plan
Switching to electric heating also requires attention to simultaneous load, domestic hot water, cooking and the existing installation. Solar electricity is not available at every heating moment; assess winter use and grid consumption. Include purchase, installation, controls, energy and maintenance without assuming a fixed payback period. Low maintenance still means cleaning and checks according to the manual remain necessary.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a panel alongside my existing heating?
That is possible with a suitable version and installation. Coordinate both control systems so they do not unintentionally work against each other. Measure total consumption: using less gas alongside more electricity does not in itself establish cost savings.