What is Infrared Heating?

By Cormac Breen

Content Manager

Cormac is Selectra.ie's energy expert along with being the chief content and editorial manager for the website. His aim is to help find the best deal for you and your home energy needs so that you save money on your annual bills. His knowledge and experience of the Irish energy market allows him to offer the best advice and insight into current prices, emerging trends and overall energy saving tips.

Infrared heating is an electric heating technology that uses radiant heat to directly warm objects, surfaces, and people in a room, rather than heating the air. It is the same, safe, natural form of warmth you feel from the sun, but without the harmful UV rays. The average price for a standard infrared heating panel in Ireland generally falls between €250 and €550, depending on the wattage and design.

What is Infrared Heating?

Infrared heating is an innovative electric heating technology that differs fundamentally from traditional convection heating methods like standard radiators or fan heaters.

How Does it Work?

Unlike convection heaters, which heat the air (which then circulates and rises, leading to heat loss), infrared heaters operate by emitting infrared radiation.

• Radiant Heat: This is the same, safe form of heat you feel from the sun, or from a mild fire. The infrared waves travel through the air and directly warm the solid objects they encounter, including walls, floors, furniture, and people.
• Warming Objects, Not Air: By warming the objects and surfaces within a room, those objects then re-radiate the heat back into the space. This process creates a deep, comfortable, and consistent warmth that is less susceptible to heat loss from draughts or open doors.
• The Result: The perceived temperature is often higher than the actual air temperature, allowing users to set the thermostat lower while feeling just as comfortable. This contributes significantly to their energy-saving potential.

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How Much Does Infrared Heating in Ireland?

The initial investment and running costs are key factors for anyone considering a new heating system.

The cost of infrared heating panels in Ireland varies based on size, wattage, design, and mounting type (wall, ceiling, or freestanding).

Note: Prices can fluctuate significantly, especially for designer panels (like mirror or art panels) or those with advanced Wi-Fi and smart home capabilities. Installation costs are typically separate.

What Are the Running Costs of Infrared Heating?

Infrared panels are often marketed as being highly energy-efficient.

While they are electric and must convert electricity to heat, their efficiency comes from the way they heat, as they are:

• 100% Efficient at Point of Use: Every watt of electricity drawn is converted into usable heat energy.
• Reduced Overall Energy Consumption: Because they warm objects directly, the panels heat the thermal mass of the room, reducing the rate at which heat is lost and requiring less energy to maintain comfort. Many suppliers suggest potential energy bill reductions of 30% to 70% compared to traditional electric heating, though actual savings depend heavily on your home’s insulation, usage habits, and existing electricity tariff.
• Targeted Heating: With precise zone control via thermostats and timers, you only heat the rooms you are using, reducing wasted energy.

How Does Infrared Heating Compare to Other Home Heating Systems?

The suitability of infrared heating is often best understood when compared to other common heating solutions in Ireland, such as electric storage heaters:

Infrared Heating vs. Space Heaters (Convector/Fan Heaters)

Infrared panels are generally more efficient than a standard electric space heater.

While a space heater quickly warms the air through convection, this heat is easily lost. Infrared panels provide a deeper, more lasting radiant heat that is not instantly lost to open doors or draughts.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Infrared Heating?

Like any heating system, infrared heating will have its pros and cons and may or may not be suitable for your home heating needs:

The Advantages

• High Energy Efficiency: 100% conversion of electricity to heat, with energy savings driven by targeted, radiant warming.
• Low Maintenance: With no moving parts, water, or boiler, they require no annual servicing.
• Aesthetics and Space-Saving: Slimline design, available in various finishes (e.g., mirror, art, or plain white panels), and can be mounted discreetly on walls or ceilings.
• Health Benefits: They do not circulate dust or allergens like convection heaters, and their heat can help reduce dampness in walls.
• Easy Installation: Typically a simple electrical installation, often plug-and-go for smaller panels, or simple wiring by an electrician.

The Disadvantages

• Upfront Cost: The initial cost for a whole-house system can be higher than other electric heating options.
• Heat Obstruction: Because they heat objects directly, the panels must be placed carefully so that furniture or other large objects do not block the infrared rays.
• Electricity Dependent: They rely solely on electricity, which is often more expensive per unit than natural gas in Ireland. Efficiency is crucial to offset this.
• Cannot Heat Water: Infrared heating panels are a space heating solution only and cannot be used to heat domestic hot water, requiring a separate immersion or other water heating system such as a heat pump.

Where Can I Buy Infrared Heating in Ireland?

A number of specialist suppliers in infrared heating Ireland offer a variety of panels and full heating solutions.

These include:

• Specialist Irish energy-saving and heating solution companies.
• Online electric heating retailers who ship to Ireland.
• Select electrical wholesalers.

It is advisable to consult a supplier or specialist installer to conduct a full heat loss calculation for your property to ensure you purchase the correct wattage and number of panels for optimal performance.

How Do Install Infrared Heating in My Home?

One of the key benefits for homeowners and landlords is the simplicity of installation.

1. Placement: The ideal placement is determined by the size of the room and the desired heat coverage, often on a wall or ceiling to ensure an unobstructed path for the infrared rays.
2. Mounting: Panels are lightweight and typically screw directly to the mounting surface using a provided template.
3. Wiring: Smaller infrared heating panels frequently come with a standard plug for a simple DIY plug-and-go setup. For permanent or bathroom installations, a qualified electrician should wire the panel directly into the main circuit and integrate the required thermostats and controls. No plumbing or pipework is needed.

By Cormac Breen

Content Manager

Cormac is Selectra.ie's energy expert along with being the chief content and editorial manager for the website. His aim is to help find the best deal for you and your home energy needs so that you save money on your annual bills. His knowledge and experience of the Irish energy market allows him to offer the best advice and insight into current prices, emerging trends and overall energy saving tips.