Is Infrared Heating any good?
Yes, infrared heating is absolutely great! This article sets out to explain the reasons why infrared heating could be the right solution for you. If you are thinking about changing your home heating system, here our some reasons why infrared heating should be at the top of your list.
Improved Comfort
Infrared heating is nothing new. It may look super modern with the designer styles on offer, however infrared radiant heating is the oldest form of heating known to man, used by cavemen and Romans and the same heat as a log burner.
Humans have evolved over time to emit and absorb far infrared heating. This is why we so enjoy the feeling of comfort from infrared heating systems and why infrared heating is frequently used in the wellness industry. Biologically, our sense of comfort is most significantly affected by infrared. The feeling of comfort and natural warmth from infrared heating, just like the experience of warmth through a window on a winter’s day, is one of the benefits our customers enjoy most about our heaters.
“When I know that the house is chilly and it’s chilly outside and I walk up into my living space and that warmth just envelopes you. It’s really nice. And it’s not overbearing. I don’t get that blocked nose. I don’t get the stuffiness from central heating”.
It’s Electric!
There is a lot of media coverage on reducing global carbon emissions and steps that can help the transition to a net zero, sustainable planet – including the switch to low carbon, electric heating technologies. When you move to electric heating, it’s important to choose the right heating system for you and your home. Many of our customers tell us that they don’t want a heat pump, for various reasons, but were keen to switch to electric. Infrared heating offers an energy-efficient and highly practical, alternative electric heating solution that can be used alongside a clean energy tariff. An infrared heating system costs significantly less to purchase and install, than a heat pump. The budget you save from buying a heat pump could instead be better used to improve building design. For example, better insulation to minimise heat loss or else investment in on-site solar and battery storage to help future proof against rising fuel prices. These purchase decisions alongside infrared heating present a compelling, low carbon investment choice.
Flexible Control
We’re all used to gas central heating which is centrally controlled, with a boiler that heats the entire house, even those rooms that don’t require heating. One of the fantastic benefits of infrared heating is the opportunity to decentralise your heating, allowing you to control your heating room by room. Why waste energy heating rooms that are unoccupied? Infrared heating lends itself to simple, precise control to suit the modern lifestyle, with the ability to only heat the rooms that require heating when they require heating. With the recent trend to work from home on a regular basis, flexible control has become even more important.
Simple Installation and Zero Maintenance
Qualified electricians can install infrared heating and the only requirement for installation is for access to mains power. Unlike heat pumps they do not need to be installed by specialist installers. There are even DIY-friendly and portable options available if you are not looking for a fixed installation. With the option to install on a modular, room by room approach, an infrared heating solution will ensure disruption is minimised, in terms of mess and time. This also facilitates a staggered approach to installation, if preferred, to help manage any budgetary requirements. In addition, infrared heaters use solid state technology meaning that there are no costly annual maintenance or service requirements.
Designer, Space-Saving Styles
Whoever said heating needs to be boring? The broad range of contemporary, designer finishes available with infrared ensures your heating blends into your home, either discreetly or as an additional piece of decor. Choose between dual purpose mirror heaters and towel heaters that heat the room, or alternatively white panels that can be neatly ceiling-mounted. There is a design to suit every building, every requirement plus there is the additional advantage that floor space is maximised. There is even the option to personalise the heater and create a centre-piece for living areas. Our personalised Inspire Picture panels make your room look and feel radiant!
Efficiency
Radiant heating works by warming people, objects and the fabric of the building which then begin to radiate warmth themselves back into the room. This differs from convection heaters and means that no energy is wasted heating the air. This means that infrared heating panels can run at around a 1°C lower air temperature than convection heaters whilst creating the same level of comfort. Read about the recent independent testing undertaken at Salford Energy House here. When the efficiency of infrared is compared to a heat pump, along with the associated lifetime costs of both technologies, infrared heating presents a practical, economically viable and perhaps more attractive solution for the majority of domestic properties looking to upgrade their heating system to electric.
Find out whether Infrared Heating will work for you
Our customers frequently tell us how much they enjoy their infrared heating systems and a high proportion of our new customers come to us through recommendation. Take a look at what our customers say here.
Our friendly team of experts are hugely passionate about the benefits infrared heating can offer you and will happily answer any queries you have. They can also answer any enquiries about the new HydroNova hot water system that provides an electrical, space-saving alternative to immersion heaters. We offer free, no obligation virtual consultations and face-to-face appointments to our showroom in Bristol .
