"An infrared heater wouldn't be the best choice to heat up a large room," says Micetich, "but they're great for spaces like a small kitchen or bedroom, office, or breakfast nook." That said, you may also find when reading reviews that some models do a good job making a large room feel cozier, despite the manufacturer's ...
Rooms are heated on the basis that they may be used. Not always the case. Infrared heat is felt almost instantly. Infrared heats people and objects first.
It may sound good, but you might remain concerned about the safety issues of these electrical appliances. The good news is that modern infrared heaters are very safe to use even when left unattended during the night, even while you are sleeping.
Aside from being efficient, there are a variety of other benefits to heating your house with infrared. Firstly, infrared heaters do not produce carbon dioxide like gas central heating does so you won't have to worry about any gas leaks, making it not only the safer option, but the simpler one too.
Can you heat a whole house with infrared heaters? You most certainly can. Each panel comes as a standalone unit, but you can buy ceiling-mounted, wall-mounted, or specialist panels to install in all rooms of your home.
Infrared heaters, therefore, do not heat the air in a room the same way conventional space heaters do; nonetheless, they raise the temperature slightly. Many manufacturers give square footage guidelines for specific models.
The upfront cost of installing infrared heating can also be a deterrent for some homeowners. While infrared heating panels are competitively priced when compared to installing boilers or central heating systems, people may still see them as more expensive than traditional convection heaters or electric radiators.
But don't worry, infrared heaters are incredibly efficient. They're designed to keep a space warm while using as little electricity as possible.
Infrared panels offer a different heating experience to many traditional methods. As their use isn't widespread (just yet at least), you may be curious to know how long it takes these panels to warm up and heat a room. In most cases, they are very quick to warm up and can reach full temperature in less than 10 minutes.
Runs on expensive electricity – Infrared panels use electricity, which is currently more expensive than gas (from 1st January 2025 to 31st March, costs will be 24.86p/kWh vs. 6.34p/kWh respectively). While their efficiency can lower energy bills, electricity prices may still impact overall savings.
If you're new to using a sauna, it's best to start with shorter sessions of 15 to 20 minutes. You can gradually increase the duration as your body gets used to the infrared heat. Typically, experienced infrared sauna users enjoy sessions between 30 to 45 minutes, aiming to maximise the potential benefits and comfort.
Infrared panels are suitable for all-day heating.
The gradual build-up of heat ensures a comfortable environment, allowing them to be left on for extended periods without making a room feel stuffy.
Quartz tungsten infrared heaters emit medium wave energy reaching operating temperatures of up to 1,500 °C (2,730 °F) (medium wave) and 2,600 °C (4,710 °F) (short wave).
Infrared panels are made for continuous operation over many hours. Once turned on, they'll heat up in a few minutes and can be left running for extended periods of time without issue. With the incorporated safety features, if the panel gets too hot, they will automatically shut off until the temperature has reduced.
In contrast, infrared heaters work like the sun, directly warming objects, walls, furniture, and people. This direct heat transfer is far more energy-efficient. Think of it like standing in sunlight: even on a cold day, you feel warm when the sun's rays hit you.
Typically, you need 70 watts per square meter of space. If you wish to identify the minimum wattage required for efficient heating, multiply the square meterage of your room by 70. For instance, a 10-square-meter room would generally require a 700W panel heater for moderate insulation and ceiling height.
High up on the wall or ceiling are the best locations for infrared panels.
It reduces the like-for-like wattage, which means low electricity usage in the long run. With infrared heaters, you can only heat the room you are using. Unlike central gas heating, for example, you need to heat the entire house, even if you use a single room. Infrared heaters can be programmed as per your need.
We understand why people look at infrared heating—it sounds energy efficient. But in reality, infrared heaters need to stay on longer to maintain warmth, and because they only heat what they directly touch, they often end up using more energy than expected.
Can infrared heaters run all the time? Yes, and if you want an efficient heating system then this is the best way to set them up.
100% efficient at point of use
Infrared heaters get their power directly from the mains, so there are no system losses like you'd find in a fuel-based system. As they convert every watt of energy into radiant warmth, you're never paying for waste.
Near IR can be harmful to the eyes because it penetrates as far as the cornea (Voke, 1999). Uncontrolled, frequent, or long-term exposure to Near Infrared can also cause thermal burns and ageing effects such as “Bakers Arms” or “Glassblowers Face” (Cho & others, 2009).
Infrared heater energy consumption is much less than other forms of heating systems due to their direct method of transferring heat, as outlined earlier. As a result, you can expect your energy bills to be significantly lower over traditional electric or gas heaters.
The protein of eye lens is very sensitive to IR radiation which is hazardous and may lead to cataract.