If you read our blog regularly, you’ll know just how much we believe in the benefits of infrared heating – so much so that we’ve installed them in our offices! We’ve written a lot about the technology over the years, but we thought breaking down the 5 key benefits of infrared would be a good introduction for those considering their heating options.
Infrared heating is really cheap to run.
Unlike traditional forms of heating, it works through radiation, not convection. This safe radiation heats the fabric of the building, as well as the people inside it. Because it heats walls, floors and ceilings rather than the air, less output is required to reach the same level of warmth. Infrared heats the surface area of a building, rather than its volume. Unlike gas or electric convection heaters, infrared heating is actually 100% efficient, because it converts each unit of electricity used into one unit of useful heat. Installing infrared heating is quick and cheap too, as it requires no pipework. The panels can either be simply plugged in or easily wired into the mains for maximum control. Below, we give some average annual running costs for different heating systems:
| Heating System | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Gas central heating with zone controls | £608 |
| Herschel infrared with zone controls | £804 |
| Reversible air con with zone controls | £881 |
| Air-water heat pump with zone controls | £977 |
| Biomass | £1,209 |
| Electric convector heating with zone controls | £1,332 |
| Electric underfloor heating with zone controls | £1,508 |
| New electric night storage with automatic controls | £1,734 |
[Source: Herschel Infrared, 2017]
Infrared heating looks great!
Unlike ugly, bulky radiators, infrared panels are almost flat, at a thickness of less than 3cm. You can attach them to your wall or ceiling for a really discreet heating solution. The panels can be customised to fit in any environment; you can print them with your favourite picture, or get one disguised as a mirror! As well as looking stylish, infrared heating panels won’t take up space, and because they can go higher up on the wall, you won’t have to worry about blocking them with furniture.
Infrared helps dry out walls and prevent damp.
As well as looking horrible and causing potential structural issues in buildings, damp and mould can have nasty health effects. Infrared heating can help you maintain a healthy environment inside your home is a great side effect of infrared heating.
Infrared heating is a powerful heating source.
If you install infrared heating, you might find you feel warmer in your home. Because infrared isn’t affected by draughts (it heats people and objects rather than air), it’s easier to keep a constant temperature. The thermal mass created by heat radiation means the walls and floors will continue to give off heat even after the heating panels themselves have been switched off.
Infrared heating is better for the planet.
Because infrared heating is super efficient and cuts down your energy use, you can be sure you’re opting for an eco-friendly heating source. Less energy used means lower demand for generation, and fewer fossil fuels burned in the process. With carbon emissions directly linked to global warming and health problems, loads of us would like to cut down our environmental impact when we can. Infrared can lower your bills while helping you do your bit for the environment!
Installing infrared heating
Are you thinking about installing infrared heating in your home? We have scoured the country for the best tradespeople, so that we can make sure we only recommend those we really trust.
If you would like us to find you a local installer to help install infrared heating in your home, just fill in the form below and we will be in touch shortly!
Could you discuss the pros and cons of infrared vs installing new gas central heating? I’m a bit confused about the choices in regards to sustainability as although using less energy than other electric heaters, Infrared will also put more pressure on the grid at peak times right?