Infrared panels can electrically heat a room or occupied zone without a new water pipe to each panel. Central heating may use existing infrastructure and several heat emitters. Choose according to heat demand, comfort, installation and total costs; no technology is superior for every building.
Key considerations
Distinguish electricity conversion, radiant output share and actual consumption. Compare the same rooms and operating times. Include hot water, electrical capacity, maintenance and existing radiators or heat pumps.
Radiation and convection
Radiators and infrared panels emit both radiant and convective heat in model-dependent proportions. A panel can direct heat towards exposed people and surfaces. Distance, direction and obstacles affect comfort. There is no fixed equivalence between lower air temperature with infrared and higher temperature with central heating. Warm floors and draught-free rooms are not guaranteed either.
Compare energy and costs fairly
Resistance heating converts almost all input electricity into heat at the system; this does not mean exclusively radiant heat or a saving. Compare actual boiler or heat-pump performance for the same demand. Use your tariffs and measured or substantiated operating hours. Include remaining gas use. Own solar electricity helps when generation and demand coincide; it does not imply free winter heating or independence from fossil energy.
Installation and maintenance
Panels need power, suitable fixings, clearance and compatible controls. Have total load and possible circuit or supply changes assessed. Wall or ceiling installation must follow the exact manual. Bathroom position and electrical requirements must be checked. Panels require cleaning and inspection; controls and connections can fail. Expected lifespan is not a warranty. Compare maintenance of the entire system without universal yearly costs or zero-maintenance claims.
Indoor climate and comfort
A fanless appliance does not make air still or dust-free. Natural convection, ventilation and dust movement remain. Heating does not treat allergies, dry eyes or muscle complaints. Relative humidity depends on temperature, moisture production and ventilation. A warm mirror may limit local condensation, but cannot remove moisture or automatically prevent bathroom mould. An IP rating alone does not authorise installation.
Main heating or supplementary use?
For main heating, assess heat loss, placement, electrical capacity and room controls. Insulation or an Rc value alone cannot establish suitability. Supplementary panels and existing central heating or a heat pump must be coordinated, so additional electricity is not misrepresented as a saving while main heating remains unchanged. Compare wall, ceiling, mirror and printed models by mounting and function, not appearance alone.
Prepare a proposal
Share plans, insulation, consumption and existing heating and hot-water details. We support private and business end users, installers and wholesalers with selection and quotations. Compare purchase, fitting, energy, maintenance and replacement over a suitable period. Gas standing charges cease only when the connection is actually terminated; check conditions and costs.
Frequently asked questions
Being cheaper than gas is not a universal product feature. Panel count and output follow heat demand and layout, not a standard example room. An upgraded supply is neither always necessary nor always sufficient: have the whole installation assessed. Combining with central heating may suit the project but requires coordinated controls and comfort checks in every occupied room.