Choosing an infrared heating panel starts with how you intend to use it. Do you want temporary warmth in a seating area, greater comfort at a workstation or heating for an entire room? This guide walks through the information needed to compare versions and quotations. We help private and business end users, installation companies and wholesalers select products.
Choosing an infrared heating panel in five steps
Describe the use, have heat loss assessed, compare specific product data, check installation and controls, and calculate total costs. A price per panel or fixed watts per square metre provides insufficient information.
Step 1: understand heat transfer
A warm panel emits radiant heat to people and surfaces within range. Convection also occurs at the warm surface. Ordinary radiators likewise provide both radiant and convective heat, in a different ratio. Panels therefore do not remove air circulation, dust or moisture. A more pleasant sensation at a particular air temperature depends on factors including placement, surface temperatures and draughts; a fixed three-degree reduction is not guaranteed.
Comfort, ventilation and moisture
Heating is not a treatment for allergies or asthma and does not guarantee healthy sleep. Warmer surfaces may help reduce condensation, but damp and mould problems also require attention to ventilation, moisture production and building causes. Follow every appliance’s operating instructions; thermal exposure and hot surfaces also deserve attention.
Step 2: compare performance and costs
With electric resistance heating, almost all input electricity eventually becomes heat. This does not say how much electricity your building needs and is not the same as the radiant fraction. A heat pump can deliver more heat from the same electricity by transferring ambient heat. Compare alternatives for the same heat demand and comfort, including installation, controls, consumption and maintenance.
Calculate consumption as power in kW multiplied by actual on-time. A 1,000-watt panel operating continuously at full power for one hour uses about 1 kWh. Multiply by your total electricity tariff. The thermostat, heat demand and any standby functions determine the actual profile; do not assume the panel always runs for only a small fraction of the time. Solar panels do not automatically make winter heating free or climate-neutral.
Step 3: choose output and size for each room
A calculation considers area and height, insulation, windows, ventilation, desired temperature and operating times. Volume, construction year or energy label alone is insufficient. For primary heating, the building as a whole must also be assessed. Ask which assumptions, design conditions and electrical capacity a proposal uses.
For each infrared heating panel, consider output alongside its exact size. Check that it fits the intended position and keep installation clearances separate from product dimensions.
Metal, glass, mirrors, printing or RAL colours mainly affect the version and options of the chosen model. Not every product supports every finish. Also compare dimensions, weight, surface temperature, warranty and mounting approval. A higher price, material name or European origin alone does not prove longer life or lower consumption.
Bathroom, bedroom and kitchen
In a bathroom, model approval, placement and the electrical installation are decisive; an IP rating alone does not guarantee safe use. Distinguish a heated mirror for reducing condensation from a mirror panel sized for space heating. In a bedroom, consider operating times and distance from bedding. Installation beneath a kitchen plinth is only possible with an appliance expressly intended for it.
Step 4: check installation and controls
Assess wall or ceiling mounting according to the desired heating zone and the manual. Furniture may block radiation. Ceiling mounting is not always the best choice and does not guarantee a warm floor. Check load-bearing capacity, fixings, clearances, accessibility and the combined load on electrical circuits. Have a qualified installer carry out fixed connections and necessary alterations.
Check which thermostat, receiver and sensor belong with the model. An ordinary room thermostat generally measures air temperature, not automatically radiant heat or object temperature. An underfloor-heating thermostat is not necessarily interchangeable with panel controls. Schedules, presence sensors, apps and energy measurement are only available if the chosen combination supports them.
Step 5: request a proposal with clear assumptions
Send us dimensions, photos or a floor plan, insulation and ventilation details and your intended use. State whether you are buying for yourself, your business or a customer project. We can then discuss available versions, controls and considerations. Installation companies and wholesalers can also contact us about cooperation and supply for their projects.
Check the proposal before ordering
Have the included panels, controls, mounting work and electrical alterations recorded. Ask about documentation, warranty and maintenance and compare total costs. A low-maintenance panel still requires cleaning and checks according to the manual. We cannot promise a fixed lifespan of twenty to thirty years or permanently unchanged performance for every product.
Frequently asked questions
Is extra insulation needed?
Better insulation can reduce heat demand regardless of the heating system. Whether extra measures are needed or worthwhile depends on the building and intended use. Assess insulation, ventilation and heating together.
Can I install a panel myself?
Follow the manual for the exact version. A plug does not make every location or fixing suitable. If unsure about the substrate, load-bearing capacity, bathroom placement, circuits or connection, have a qualified installer assess what is needed.