We’ve been using infrared heaters for decades in the UK but it’s only in recent years that technology has made a significant step forwards in terms of style and versatility. Radiant bar heaters were among the earliest infrared heaters but they came with a host of problems. These old heaters were bulky, ugly and could be easily tripped over due to their size. Thankfully, over time our understanding of infrared heat has greatly improved and allowed the development of more sophisticated means of delivering radiant heat. Infrared products are now attractive, slimline and have a wide range of installation options to make them more convenient.
Infrared heaters work by using infrared radiation which is on the same electromagnetic spectrum as natural light. This radiant heat passes through the air to heat people and objects directly, so unlike convection, it doesn’t require warm air currents to be effective. ‘Radiation’ can be a scary-sounding word but it’s a completely natural phenomenon that’s happening all around us. We, as humans, emit radiant heat from our bodies constantly and we also absorb the same type of heat from the sun’s rays. Infrared heaters use this principal to deliver soothing radiant heat that our bodies can absorb easily. You may not be aware of it but many other heater types deliver radiant heat, such as radiators and stoves, so this form of heating is exceedingly commonplace. The only difference with infrared heaters is that they deliver only infrared heat, rather than a combination of radiation and convection.
It’s important to bear in mind that infrared heaters work very differently to conventional heating methods. Radiators, for example, work by using both radiation and convection so they will eventually heat up all the air in the room to provide an even spread of heat. As infrared heaters don’t provide any form of convection, all of their radiant heat is projected outwards in a defined area. Think of a spotlight projecting outwards to light up a specific area of a stage – infrared heaters work in the same way and anything falling outside of their heating range will not benefit from their radiant heat. However, it’s a problem that’s easily resolved with careful placement, and as long as you position your infrared heater in a way that will cover your main occupancy areas, you won’t notice any cold spots.
Infrared heaters are well-suited to use throughout the home and can even be used in bathrooms due to the high IP (ingress protection) ratings of some products. They’re incredibly energy-efficient and convert almost 100% of the energy used into effective heat, ensuring low running costs across the lifespan of the appliance. If you’re not familiar with the different types of infrared heater available, take a look at the range we offer below.
Infrared panels
Panels provide completely discreet heating by looking almost like a blank canvas hung up on the wall. They may have a simple appearance but they use their larger surface area to deliver a wide spread of radiant heat into the room. They’re as slim as heaters get at just 2.5cm deep, which is what makes them such a popular heating solution. Unlike bulkier heaters, infrared panels take up barely any space and can even be used to create a striking focal point on your wall.
They have multiple installation options and can be wall mounted, ceiling mounted or fitted freestanding with the purchase of separate feet. Wall and ceiling mounted options are particularly effective as they provide a heat source that’s out of the way and allows the infrared heat to be projected into the room without being hindered by any large objects. Infrared panels use ‘far’ or ‘longwave’ infrared, which is a much gentler form of infrared heat that’s suitable for long periods of use and comfortably absorbed by the body.
Many infrared panels have high IP ratings to allow them to be installed in bathrooms. Our Herschel Inspire range of infrared panels have an IP54 rating, making them splashproof. If you are purchasing an infrared panel to be used as your primary heating method, it’s highly advised that you purchase an additional thermostat to really get the most out of your user experience. Modern thermostats will allow you to programme the heater to come on at specific times for a bespoke heating schedule that fits around your lifestyle. This can make using your infrared heater much more convenient and also help to reduce your energy usage. Our infrared panels begin from £309.99 and are available in a range of sizes.
Mirror Panels
Infrared mirror panels deliver all of the same effective heat of a standard infrared panel but have the added function of providing a reflective surface. These are particularly useful in bathrooms where they provide two room functions in one: a mirror to help you with your daily routine, and an efficient room heater to keep your bathroom warm and inviting. The added benefit of mirror panels is that they won’t fog up when in use because their surface is kept warm. This can be particularly handy in busy family bathrooms – no more having to wipe the mirror down with a towel when someone’s had a particularly steamy shower.
These panels allow you to have a completely inconspicuous heater in your home and are a good option if you would like a more aesthetically pleasing option that won’t detract from your interior design scheme. Mirror panels come in various sizes to suit rooms large and small and begin from £749.99.
Ceramic Heaters
Ceramic heaters tend to fall into the realm of commercial infrared heaters due to their fairly utilitarian appearance. There’s nothing to say that they can’t be used the home but ceramic heaters are more commonly aimed at indoor heating for garages, factories and warehouses.
Unlike infrared panels that radiate their heat over the wide surface area of the product, these heaters are more compact and use ceramic elements to project radiated heat outwards. They look a little like lamps as they’re intended to have a wall mounted installation that’s well out of the way. Large, ceiling mounted ceramic heaters are available for industrial areas that need a greater spread of heat and can provide effective comfort heating for staff members. Ceramic heaters also use gentle far infrared for maximum comfort and is the reason they produce no visible light when in operation. This can be beneficial if you need neutral lighting maintained within a work environment.
The deep radiant heat provided by far infrared also gives it further industrial applications. Freestanding ceramic heaters can be used to dry walls that may have been flood damaged or even help plaster to dry more quickly without damaging the plaster itself. As far infrared uses a longer wavelength, it can penetrate deeply into the brickwork and greatly reduce drying times. This mellow heat also prevents micro air bubbles beneath the surface of fresh plaster from superheating and expanding, ensuring the surface of the plaster remains even.
Some ceramic heaters are suitable for outdoor installation, so always check the individual IP ratings of products to ensure they can be used for this application. Ceramic heaters are available from £299.99 and come in a wide variety of styles and wattages.
Quartz Heaters
Quartz heaters use ‘near’ or ‘shortwave’ infrared, a more intense form of radiation which is useful as its effects can be felt almost immediately. The downside to quartz heaters is that they’re not designed for long periods of use because of their more intense heat. Near infrared products often produce an orange glow when in use so it’s easy to tell when the heater is still switched on. If your eyes are sensitive to the glare produced, you should always look for ‘low glare’ products which are designed to reduce this effect.
In domestic applications, quartz heaters really come into their own when you need quick heat at short notice. Small bathroom quartz heaters are fantastic for when you need to quickly nip to the loo but don’t want to have your full heating system running to heat this infrequently used space. It’s also an economical heat source for guest ensuites that are only used occasionally.
Larger quartz heaters are used as home patio heaters as the stronger heat they provide is well suited to offsetting colder outdoor temperatures. Installation options for these products can vary depending on their manufacture. Some quartz heaters are designed to be freestanding for easy placement outside, whereas others can be either wall mounted or fitted to the underside of patio umbrellas. Many of these heaters are waterproof and designed to be installed outside, however you will always need to check individual product pages to ensure they have a high enough IP rating for their intended use.
Quartz heaters are popular in commercial applications too as they’re perfect for restaurant terraces and outdoor seating areas. The wide range of wattages available means that there are high-powered models available designed to heat larger areas. We also offer quartz heaters with in-built lighting for two-in-one functionality; it can be a much more convenient option over installing two separate lighting and heating systems. Our larger quartz heaters start from £199.99, but we also offer smaller bathroom quartz heaters from £69.99.
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Infrared is a fantastic way of heating your home and business but if you’re not sure what product is right for you, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 0330 880 7008. Our helpful Heatingpoint sales team are always on hand to provide you with all the options and can even create a free, no obligation quote for your project. If you want to learn more about infrared heating, be sure to check out our in-depth buying guides for infrared panel heaters and outdoor infrared products.