Designer Infrared Heating Panels for Homes

Yes, infrared heating can be used to heat a whole house. We have many customers who choose to install our infrared heating panels throughout their entire home as they look to make the switch away from fossil fuels to cleaner electric heating. It is possible to specify and install Herschel Infrared panel heaters as part of one large, entire home heating retrofit, or new installation, however infrared heating also provides customers with the flexibility to install on a room-by-room basis. It may suit some people to install infrared on a room by room in order to manage disruption and budget. Infrared heating panels provide people with a flexible, highly controllable and comfortable heating solution.

Yes, Herschel Infrared heating can replace a gas boiler. It is a fantastic and practical alternative for those customers keen to get off gas to improve their carbon footprint and lower their carbon emissions or for those looking to replace their gas boiler and radiator system, as it nears end of life. Infrared heating panels are an electric heating solution that can very easily be powered by a 100% green energy tariff or alternatively through surplus on-site solar and battery storage, reducing reliance on the grid. Herschel panel heaters have many advantages over gas systems including no central point of failure, no leaks or heat losses through pipes plus they offer a more stylish and space-saving solution for homes.

Infrared heating panels from Herschel are easy to install with several installation options to choose between. Herschel offers a range of Select XLS infrared panels that all come with the EASYFIX mounting system allowing for simple wall-mounting (and plug in to a mains socket) by keen DIY-ers. The Select XLS infrared panel range can also be professionally installed on a ceiling using a qualified electrician, requiring standard electrical not specialist skills, for a quick install. Inspire panels should be professionally installed and qualified electricians just need the provision of electricity and space to mount the panel heater. Optional feet are also available for purchase should a freestanding option be preferred for those seeking a no-install option for Herschel Infrared panel heaters.

The cheapest way to heat a house with electric is by using a technology that transforms electricity into heat efficiently. Infrared panel heating is a technology that uses electricity efficiently through direct transfer of the heat energy, rather than heating a volume of air. When considering which heating system may work best for particular requirements, it is essential to take into account total cost of ownership. Efficiency, capital outlay, servicing and maintenance requirements should all be considered and infrared heating panels provide a hugely compelling and competitive proposition for people. Herschel Infrared heating panels are a practical and efficient heating solution that is likely to be cheaper to install that other electric heating solutions. Herschel panel heaters also require no annual servicing.

There have been a number of low voltage, very thin, carbon based heating products in the form of “Wallpaper”, in-wall, ceiling or underfloor mats that have recently appeared on the market promoting themselves as “Infrared”, “far infrared” and / or “Radiant” heating technologies. Typically these systems are low voltage (via transformers) heat mats which can be installed to cover a large area within walls, ceilings and floors.

These heating systems reach a maximum of 40°C surface temperature and are usually much cooler once covered with plaster, carpet, paint etc. For the reasons explained below, these systems usually demonstrate a relatively low percentage of radiant (infrared) heat as a proportion of their total power, with most of their heat energy being in the form of convection and conduction.  It is therefore misleading to make claims of these systems as being “Infrared” or “Radiant” heating solutions and they cannot be classified as radiant (infrared) heating systems under UK and international electrical standards.

Radiant Heat Transfer

To have radiant (infrared) heat, you must have a distinct temperature difference between the heater and the things it is trying to heat.  If two objects are at the same temperature, then no radiant heat (infrared) transfer occurs.  If they are at nearly the same temperature, then very little radiant heat (infrared) transfer occurs.  The greater the temperature difference between two objects, the more radiant heat (infrared) transfer occurs. The amount of radiant energy transfer as a proportion of the heater’s total power is known as the “Radiant Effectiveness” of a heater and it is a critical determinant of whether a heater can call itself “Infrared” or not.

The following diagram shows the difference in radiant heat (Infrared) transfer between 3 objects: one at 25°C (roughly surface temperature of human skin); 50°C (i.e. central heating radiator) and one at 100°C (i.e. Infrared Heating panel).

You can see from the diagram that the infrared heat transfer between something at 50°C and another at 25°C is very small:  around 0.2 watts per metre. This is barely discernible on the skin as radiant heat and you can easily test this yourself by moving your bare arm closer and closer to a central heating radiator until you can sense the heat. (You almost have to touch it). In other words the “Radiant Effectiveness” of a central heating radiator is going to be small as a proportion of its total power.  Most of its energy will be producing convective, not radiant, heat.

Contrast this with an Infrared panel at 100°C and an object at 25°C where the heat transfer is about 1 watt per metre and easily discernible on the skin up to a couple of metres away from the panel. Radiant Effectivess of an IR panel is consequently high as a proportion of its power and is the reason why these heaters are classified as “Infrared”.

Heater Temperature, Surface Area and Power

The ratio between the surface area of a heater and its power is important in defining the heater temperature. More watts per area of surface = more temperature (= more infrared heat).

Infrared heating panels require between 900 – 1000 watts /m2 surface area to produce between 90 – 100°C panel temperatures (to be able to transmit infrared heat effectively per the above chart).

Infrared Wallpaper requires approximately 200 watts / m2 to produce a maximum of 40°C surface temperature. (Whilst lower energy per m2, the low resulting temperature does not produce effective infrared heat transfer per the above chart).

In our view, at this low power : surface area and low resulting temperature, there is little radiated heat transfer from the wallpaper and by being in direct contact with the walls and ceilings, all the wallpaper is doing is slowing down their rate of heat loss by conduction. (Indeed suppliers urge you not to place it on outside walls at all). Otherwise at 40°C, it is otherwise just warming the air in the room.

We don’t dismiss that this might be effective in some way if you cover enough of your walls and ceilings with it. However, at 40°C and 200W/m2 Electric Infrared Wallpaper cannot claim to be radiant (i.e Infrared) and claim the benefits that infrared heating panels have over convection heaters.

International Performance Standards

The international (IEC) standard for performance of household radiators classifies heated wallpapers (or any heater at or below 40°C) out of scope for radiant performance assessment. This is for the reasons described above and shown very clearly by the chart: there is too little transmissiveness of radiant heat as a proportion of the total power consumption to allow the heaters to claim they are radiant (as opposed to convective or conductive).

IG Infrared https://www.ig-infrared.com/en/home.html  is the EU Infrared manufacturers trade association and defines infrared heaters as requiring a minimum surface temperature of 75°C and a minimum watts coverage over the panel surface of 900 watts/m2 to qualify as “Infrared Heaters”. (Wallpaper temperatures are a maximum 40°C and watts coverage is 200w/m2 and would not qualify on either requirement).

In the UK, the BEIS is also laying down the performance markers for Infrared panel performance along IEC lines, in two recently commissioned reports defining infrared panels as having 70% radiant efficiency and 80°C temperature. See:

Cost-Optimal Domestic Electrification (CODE) report from 2021
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-optimal-domestic-electrification-code which covers infrared-red radiant panels (page 41) and

Research paper no: 2019/021
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/831079/Electric_heating_options_in_off-gas_grid_homes.pdf page 15.

We have had a number of customers who have installed this type of heating say it has not lived up to expectations and have switched to our infrared heating panels.

See also:

Are there standards for Far Infrared Panel Performance

How do Infrared Heaters work?

Managing electricity costs is a continuing priority for people as they seek to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels for heating and make the switch to electric heating. Electric infrared heaters will keep you comfortably warm whilst minimising energy consumption and electricity costs. Let’s explain how infrared heaters are energy efficient, how much electricity infrared heaters use and how you can use them to keep track of your energy bills.

How to calculate how much electricity your infrared heaters will use?

Infrared heaters offer people the flexibility to run their heaters in whatever way what works best for them. They differ from heat pumps which run for long periods of the day and rely on their coefficient of performance (COP) to keep the overall costs down. With Infrared, people can choose to only heat specific rooms or areas, they can power them in conjunction with time of use tariffs to prime the thermal mass and make the most of the opportunity provided by cheaper, off-peak energy tariffs, or however they choose. The difference with Infrared is that there is no need to run your heating 24/7. Decentralised control means minimising your energy consumption whilst maximising your comfort levels and this flexibility is how the cost savings are made.

Very simply, however, to calculate how much it costs to run infrared heaters you need to know your pence per kW hour. This is the price you are charged by your electricity supplier, as per your electric bill, for each kW of electricity used.

So let’s look at a Comfort 600W infrared heating panel, as an example. At an average of 6 hours a day, we can assume an electricity cost of 25 pence per kW (average as at September 2024).

Heater Output (kW) x Cost Per kW Hour (pence) x Hours in Use = Daily Cost (pence)

0.6kW x 25p x 6 hours = 90 pence per day

To understand the cost per room and per house, you will need to take into account how much wattage you need for each room and this will be based on the size of the rooms as well as their insulation levels. Our handy online calculator can work out a specification for you. Alternatively, our specification team can discuss your heating requirements with you and provide you with a free quote detailing what heaters you will need.

Will infrared heaters save me money?

Infrared heating offers an energy efficient heating solution due to the way in which it uses radiant heat technology to warm people and buildings. Not only are infrared heaters energy efficient in the way they heat, they can also save you money due to their zero servicing requirement plus their lower purchase and installation cost than alternative, low carbon heating solutions. We even offer some DIY-friendly and portable heating options.

As with any heating solution, the more you can do to improve the heat loss of your home, through for example insulation, the better and the lower your heating requirement will be.

Are there real-life scenarios of households that have made the switch to infrared panel heaters that show how much they have saved in energy costs?

Our customer contacted us to share how he had changed his heating system from gas and installed infrared, alongside solar PV, and this has given him an 80% reduction on his bills. Take a look at the case study here.

Why are infrared heaters energy efficient?

Radiant heat technology warms people directly

Infrared heaters use radiant heat transfer to warm people and objects directly, this differs from convection-based heating systems that heat the air. Air retains heat poorly and can easily be lost on draughts or cold spots. As a result, heating air requires much higher energy.

Turn your room into a 360° radiator

By using radiant heat transfer to heat objects, people and the fabric of the building directly, the thermal mass of the room warms up. The thermal mass is able to retain the heat, radiating it back into the room and keeping the environment warmer for longer. As a result, infrared heaters only need to be on to top up. This is why Herschel Infrared heaters save energy.

Targeted zone heating

Infrared heating is unique in its ability to heat specific zones or areas. Rather than heating every room in the house to the same temperature, even when they are unoccupied, infrared heaters can be used to precisely heat each room as and when you need it. Not only that, each infrared heating panel can be controlled independently. So, if you have a space in your living room that is frequently occupied and in which you’d like more targeted comfort, simply install a heating panel over that specific area and leave the unused areas unheated.

Zero heat loss

Infrared heaters are 100% efficient. Every watt of energy is converted into radiant warmth that can be used directly from the mains. There is no heat loss from clunky, poorly insulated pipes and little ‘infiltration loss’ due to warm air disappearing through open doors.

Leading the way in Innovation Development

Herschel is at the forefront of infrared heating and we have used our experience as UK market leader, alongside extensive research and development, to keep driving innovation in our infrared technology. Our UK made Herschel Comfort infrared panel heater features Herschel’s innovative Swift Comfort Plus system to deliver enhanced performance. This includes our new high performance, long life German made heating element which heats up to higher temperatures extremely quickly from startup and delivers an optimum spread of heat across the surface of the panel. A combination of high quality, UK made insulation material and a specially treated radiant reflective stainless steel back panel also reduces rearward heat loss by over 20%. The result is the best infrared panel currently available.  Comfort has been tested and approved to the new IEC 60675 standard for radiant efficiency.

With a 10 year warranty, our solid state Comfort infrared heating panels contain no moving parts, offering a long life, energy efficient heating solution. For additional peace of mind for our customers, and for the environment, we’ve also made sure our Comfort infrared heating panels are fully repairable.

 

How do I switch to infrared heating and use it as energy efficiently as possible?

• Simply calculate your heating requirement by using our handy online calculator or, alternatively, we offer free specification quotes or virtual consultations with our team, consultation appointments can be booked here.
• Choose your infrared panel heaters and thermostat controllers from our full range.
• Once you’ve installed your infrared heaters, be sure to maximise the unrivalled control capabilities offered by infrared to manage your heating bills as efficiently as possible.
• With smart App-enabled, flexible control of your infrared heaters from anywhere in the world, our range of thermostats incorporate Lot 20 compliant Energy-Saving features such as Open Window technology and Adaptive Start.
• You can also set up your own customised heating routines via App control to suit your lifestyle, and benefit from geofencing to automate your heating and save you energy. Why heat your house when you are not there? The addition of our motion sensors can also save energy based on room occupancy, when used in conjunction with Herschel’s App-enabled thermostats.

Alongside our infrared heating panels for homes, we offer energy efficient heating solutions across the built environment including commercial, heritage and industrial buildings.