Infrared FAQ

1. How do infrared heating panels work?

2. Is infrared heating efficient?

3. Is infrared heating safe?

4. Is infrared expensive to run?

5. Are there maintenance and servicing costs with infrared heating panels?

6. What size of infrared panels do I need?

7. Can I have an infrared panel in my bathroom?

8. How do I control infrared heaters?

9. Do far infrared panels glow?

How do infrared heating panels work?

Infrared heating panels provide powerful, but comfortable heat, whilst looking great and taking up minimal space. This has made them a very popular modern heating choice. They work through far infrared radiation, which means that they heat up objects rather than air – unlike traditional convection heaters. They are the perfect solution for those without gas central heating, and also as cheap supplementary heating for those who do.

Is infrared heating efficient?

Infrared heating is 100% efficient; you get out what you put in. Heat travels directly from the panel to the solid objects in its path, warming surfaces, furniture and people. This cuts out the middle man, as it doesn’t waste energy heating the air. In contrast, convection (such as that from radiators) requires another transfer of energy during which heat is lost, meaning it is less efficient. Because infrared doesn’t heat air, the temperature is not affected by draughts in the room. You will require a lower wattage than equivalent convection heaters to reach the same temperatures. As heating is the main contributor to household bills, the low running costs of infrared heating could save you a lot of money.

Is infrared heating safe?

Yes! It is the same heat you get from the sun – and that your own body gives off! It’s even used to heat babies’ incubators.

Do bear in mind that, like any heater, the surface temperature can get pretty hot, so they’re usually mounted halfway up the wall, or popped out of the way on the ceiling (as we recommend for maximum efficiency).

Is infrared heating expensive to run?

Other forms of electric heating, such as storage heaters, are inefficient because they have to be heated to a very high temperature in order to work well. Most also have to power fans to distribute heat around the room. Infrared panels have a thin, tightly-coiled heating element evenly distributed across the inside. They only need to heat themselves to the relatively low temperature of 90°C in order to work efficiently, and there are no fans. The temperature output is the same as other electric heaters with a fraction of the energy input.

Are there maintenance and servicing costs with infrared heating panels?

No. Make sure they’re installed correctly by a competent electrician. After that, you’ll just need to keep them clean with a soft, dry cloth.

What size of infrared panels do I need?

If you’re installing infrared heaters, the required wattage is unlikely to be as high as that of whatever heating system you have at the moment. The exact number, configuration and wattage of panels that your particular property would need is dependent on a host of factors including the current insulation on the building, the number and size of windows, the height of the ceilings, and several other factors. We generally suggest slightly oversizing, to ensure comfort. All that will happen is that the panels will switch themselves off once they reach the temperature you have pre-programmed.

You can install infrared panels on either the walls or ceiling. In some room shapes/sizes, it might be better to install a couple of smaller panels that add up to the total required wattage, rather than one large one – to ensure full coverage of the whole room. This is why it’s always worth checking with an expert before buying what you think you’ll need!

If you’d like to discuss with one of our experts exactly what kind of panels would best suit your needs, please use the contact form on this page.

Can I put infrared in my bathroom?

Yes, Herschel’s infrared panels are CE-marked and completely safe for use in bathrooms. They have the added benefit of helping to reduce damp and condensation, as well as keeping the room toasty. A heated towel rail is a great addition, as is a mirror panel, as it won’t steam up like normal panels would!

How do I control infrared heaters?

Infrared heaters need to be hard wired and then you can control them with a thermostat solution for optimal efficiency. There are many different ways to do this. Read more about infrared control systems here.

Do far infrared panels glow?

Mostly no. Near and Middle infrared heaters (i.e. patio heaters outside bars) glow orange because they need to be hotter to project the heat outdoors. Far infrared heaters – which are panels are – do not emit any light.

Let us know if there’s anything we’ve missed and we’ll be happy to help!