Infrared heating has quickly become one of Europe's fastest growing forms of heating. At the same time, many people still wonder what infrared heating actually is, how the technology works, and why more and more people are choosing infrared heating panels instead of traditional elements and air-borne heating systems.
What makes infrared heating interesting is that it works in a completely different way than many other heating systems. Instead of primarily heating the air, infrared heating heats people, floors, walls, ceilings and furniture directly. The result is an even and comfortable heat that feels natural throughout the room.
Today, infrared heating is used in everything from villas and apartments to offices, hotels, yoga studios, warehouses and commercial properties.
What is infrared heating?
Infrared heating is a form of radiant heat that transfers energy directly to people and objects without first having to heat the air.
It's the same principle that the sun uses.
On a sunny spring day, the air can still be cool while the sun feels warm on your skin. This is because the sun's infrared radiation warms you directly.
Infrared heating panels work in the same way.
The panel emits long-wave infrared heat waves that are absorbed by floors, walls, furniture and people. As the materials heat up, the energy is stored and then slowly released back into the room.
This contributes to an even and comfortable heat that remains in the environment longer.
How does infrared heating work?
Traditional radiators heat the air closest to the radiator. The warm air rises towards the ceiling, then cools and sinks back towards the floor before the process repeats.
Infrared heating works differently.
Instead of heating the air directly, the surfaces in the room are heated:
Floor
Walls
Ceiling
Furniture
Furnishings
People
When these materials heat up, they act as natural heat reservoirs that continue to emit heat even when the panel is not working at full capacity.
This contributes to a more even and comfortable indoor climate.
This is why infrared heat feels different
What makes many people appreciate infrared heating is not the technology itself.
That's the feeling.
When floors, walls and other surfaces become warmer, the entire room feels more comfortable. Many describe the feeling as when the sun peeks out after a cold winter day.
Unlike traditional convection heating, the heat is stored in the room's surfaces, which means that comfort is often perceived as higher even at the same air temperature.
Benefits that many people notice immediately
| Advantage | Perceived effect |
|---|---|
| Warmer floors | Higher comfort |
| More even temperature | Fewer cold zones |
| Less drafty feeling | More comfortable climate |
| Heat in the surfaces | More stable temperature |
| Quiet operation | No fan noise |
| Even heat distribution | High comfort throughout the room |
Why does 21 degrees feel different in two rooms?
This is one of the most important things to understand when talking about warming up.
Two rooms can have exactly the same air temperature but still feel completely different.
The reason is that the body doesn't just react to the air temperature. The temperature of the floor, walls, ceiling and furniture also affects how hot or cold a room feels.
A room with cold surfaces can therefore feel significantly cooler than a room where the floor and walls are at a higher temperature, even though the thermometer shows the same value.
It is also one of the reasons why many people experience a big difference when they switch from traditional convection heating to infrared heating.
Infrared heating compared to traditional elements
The difference between infrared heating and traditional elements is primarily about how the heat is distributed.
Elements heat the air.
Infrared heating warms people and surfaces.
When heat is stored in floors, walls and furniture, the temperature is perceived more evenly while the feeling of cold floors and cold feet is reduced.
The difference between infrared heating and radiators
| Traditional elements | Infrared heating |
|---|---|
| Warms the air | Warms people and surfaces |
| The heat rises towards the ceiling | More even heat distribution |
| Cold floors are common | More comfortable floor temperature |
| Larger temperature differences | Smoother comfort |
| Convection heating | Radiant heat |
Does infrared heating use a lot of electricity?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions about infrared heating.
A common misconception is that installed power and actual energy consumption are the same thing.
That's not how it normally works.
Once the desired temperature is reached, the thermostat automatically regulates the heat according to the building's needs. The panels therefore do not operate at full power all the time.
Typical active operating time
| Building type | Typical active time |
|---|---|
| Well-insulated building | Approximately 30% |
| Normal residence | Approximately 50% |
| Demanding environment | Up to 70% |
The actual energy consumption is therefore often significantly lower than many people initially think.
Why does Infracenter often calculate around 100 W/m²?
When Infracenter sizes infrared heating panels, we often calculate around 100 W per square meter.
The reason is that we want to get the infrared waves down properly into floors, walls and other surfaces where comfort is created.
It is when these surfaces start to store heat that the big difference is felt. The floors feel more comfortable, cold zones are reduced and the temperature feels more even throughout the room.
However, this does not mean that the panels are working at full power all the time. During large parts of the year, energy consumption is significantly lower because the thermostat automatically regulates the heat as needed.
Can infrared heating contribute to a better indoor climate?
When floors, walls and other surfaces are kept warmer, not only does comfort change, but the experience of the indoor climate is also affected.
Cold and damp surfaces can make a room feel raw and less pleasant even when the temperature is relatively high. When surfaces are heated, better conditions are created for a comfortable indoor climate, while materials can dry out faster after, for example, showers, cleaning or periods of high humidity.
That's one of the reasons why infrared heating panels are often used in bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements and other environments where comfort is affected by cold or damp surfaces.
That's why Infracenter has become the Nordic region's largest specialist in infra panels.
Since 2014, Infracenter has specialized in infrared heating and today delivers several thousand infrared heating panels each year to customers throughout the Nordic region.
Experience from thousands of installations has been an important part of the development of our own products. Each new generation of panels is based on practical knowledge from real environments where comfort, reliability and long service life are crucial.
Our infrared heating panels are developed for permanent heating and are used today in everything from homes and holiday homes to hotels, offices, yoga studios and commercial properties.
Why customers choose Infracenter
| Infrastructure center | Customer benefit |
|---|---|
| Own products | Developed based on real installations |
| Up to 10 years factory warranty | One of the longest warranties on the market |
| Approximately 70,000 hours of lifespan | Very long usage time |
| Approved for suspended ceilings | Flexible installation |
| High IP rating | Works in demanding environments |
| Specialists since 2014 | Deep knowledge of infrared heating |
| Several thousand panels per year | Proven products |
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about infrared heating
What is infrared heating?
Infrared heating is radiant heat that heats people and surfaces directly instead of first heating the air.
How does infrared heating work?
Infrared waves are emitted from the panel and absorbed by floors, walls, furniture and people, which then store and emit the heat.
Is infrared heating energy efficient?
Yes. Because the heat is used where it is most beneficial, many people experience high comfort while using energy efficiently.
Can infrared heating be used as head heating?
Yes. With the right dimensioning, infrared heating panels can be used as main heating in both residential and commercial properties.
Is infrared heating the same thing as a patio heater?
No. Infrared heating panels for indoor use use long-wave infrared heat that provides a soft and comfortable warmth without visible light.
Summary
Infrared heating is a modern form of heating that heats people, floors, walls and other surfaces directly instead of first heating the air. The result is an even and comfortable heat that feels natural throughout the room.
With the right dimensioning and high-quality infrared heating panels, infrared heating can be used both as main heating and as supplementary heating in everything from villas and apartments to offices, hotels and commercial properties.
Since 2014, Infracenter has specialized in infrared heating and developed its own products for permanent heating. With several thousand panels delivered each year, up to 10 years of factory warranty and products with a lifespan of up to approximately 70,000 hours, Infracenter has built a position as the largest specialist in infrared panels in the Nordic region.