This is probably the most common question we get at Infracenter.
How many infrared heating panels are actually needed to heat a room, an apartment or an entire house?
Unfortunately, there is no one answer that fits all buildings. Two rooms that are both 20 square meters in size can have completely different heating needs depending on insulation, ceiling height, window areas and how the room is used.
At the same time, there are some clear guidelines that make it possible to estimate the power requirement and choose the right solution from the start.
The most important question is not how many panels you should buy.
The most important question is whether it will be warm and comfortable in the room even during the coldest days of the year.
There is no simple answer
Many people are looking for a simple rule of thumb where you multiply the number of square meters by a certain number of watts.
The problem is that reality is rarely that simple.
A modern house with well-insulated walls, energy-efficient windows and normal ceiling height requires significantly less energy than an older house with large glass areas and high ceilings.
Therefore, square meters are only part of the calculation.
To achieve the right comfort, you also need to take into account the building's conditions.
A simple rule of thumb for estimating power requirements
As a first guide, the following guidelines can be used.
| Building type | Recommended power |
|---|---|
| Passive house or very well-insulated house | 70–80 W/m² |
| Normal villa or apartment | 80–100 W/m² |
| Older house | 100–120 W/m² |
| Poorly insulated spaces | 120–140 W/m² |
The table above should be seen as a guide.
For most homes, around 100 W/m² serves as a very good starting point when sizing infrared heating panels. The output is then adjusted based on factors such as ceiling height, insulation, window areas and desired comfort.
Example of power requirement at 100 W/m²
If we use the rule of thumb used in many normal homes, the power requirement will be approximately as follows:
| Surface | Recommended power |
|---|---|
| 5 m² | 500W |
| 10 m² | 1000W |
| 15 m² | 1500W |
| 20 m² | 2000W |
| 25 m² | 2500W |
| 30 m² | 3000W |
These are not absolute values but a simple guideline. A well-insulated house may need less power, while an older house or a room with large glass areas may need more.
Ceiling height has more of an impact than many people think
One factor that is often forgotten is ceiling height.
Infrared heating panels work best when the infrared waves are at the right distance from people, floors and other surfaces in the room. For best comfort, we normally recommend mounting at a height of approximately 1.80 to 2.50 meters.
At higher ceiling heights, more power or more panels are often needed to achieve the same level of comfort.
This is why a room with a four-meter ceiling height may require completely different dimensions than a room with a normal ceiling height, even though the floor area is the same.
In rooms with high ceilings, Infracenter often recommends multiple ceiling-mounted infrared heating panels instead of a single large panel. This provides a more even heat distribution and better comfort throughout the room, while allowing more surfaces to absorb the infrared waves.
Windows often have more impact than walls
When customers try to estimate power requirements, they often focus on the size of the room.
In practice, it is often the glass surfaces that have the greatest impact.
Large window areas mean higher heat losses, while glass does not absorb infrared waves in the same way as walls, floors and furniture.
Two living rooms of 25 square meters may therefore need different amounts of power depending on how much glass there is in the room.
Main heating or additional heating?
There is a big difference between using infrared heating panels as the only heat source and using them as comfort heating or additional heating.
A bathroom that already has some basic heating often needs significantly less power than a holiday home or villa that is to be heated entirely with infrared heating.
When dimensioning a system, it is therefore important to first determine what function the panels will have.
More panels often provide better comfort than one large one
Many people believe that one large panel is always better than several smaller ones.
In practice, it is often the opposite.
After thousands of installations, we see the same pattern time and time again. Two or three smaller infrared heating panels often provide higher comfort than a single large panel with the same output. The reason is that the heat is spread more evenly throughout the room and reaches more surfaces at the same time. The result is often a more balanced temperature and a more pleasant heating experience.
By spreading the heat from multiple directions, more surfaces can absorb the infrared waves while the temperature becomes more even throughout the room.
The result is often greater comfort and better heat distribution.
It can be compared to lighting. Several light sources often give a more pleasant result than a single, very bright lamp.
Why a little extra power is often an advantage
A correctly dimensioned system provides both better comfort and low energy consumption over time.
After thousands of installations around the Nordic region, we have seen that in most cases it is better to have a little margin than to be right on the edge.
A thermostat always controls the temperature in the room. If there is a little extra power available, the panels will heat the room faster and then turn off earlier.
In addition, the infrared waves have a better opportunity to heat floors, walls and other surfaces in the room, which contributes to the even comfort that infrared heating is known for.
However, if the output is too low, the panels may have to work for long periods without really catching up with the heating demand during the coldest days of the year.
Therefore, it is not enough to count in square meters.
Square meters is a good starting point, but it is not enough to correctly size a heating system.
| Factor | Impact on power demand |
|---|---|
| Insulation | Great |
| Ceiling height | Great |
| Window surfaces | Great |
| Climate zone | Means |
| Area of application | Great |
| Placement of panels | Means |
It is the combination of these factors that determines how much power is actually needed.
Why customers choose Infracenter
Since 2014, Infracenter has helped thousands of customers create energy-efficient and comfortable heating solutions.
We develop our own infrared panels and sell several thousand panels each year to villas, apartments, offices, hotels, yoga studios and commercial properties around the Nordic region.
Every year we help customers size thousands of infrared heating panels for everything from bathrooms and villas to hotels, offices and yoga studios. The experience from these installations forms the basis for the guidelines and recommendations presented in this guide.
When you choose Infracenter, you choose the experience of the Nordic region's largest specialist in infra panels.
Summary
Sizing infrared heating panels is about much more than just counting square meters.
For most homes, around 100 W/m² is a very good starting point. However, to achieve the best possible comfort, consideration should always be given to insulation, ceiling height, window areas and how the building is used.
By choosing the right effect from the start, you get the comfort that makes infrared heating so appreciated – even heat, warm surfaces and a pleasant indoor climate all year round.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about sizing infrared heating panels
How many watts per square meter are needed?
In normal homes, around 100 W/m² serves as a very good starting point. The output is then adjusted based on insulation, ceiling height, window areas and desired comfort.
Is it better to have several small panels than one large one?
Yes, in many cases, several smaller infrared heating panels provide better comfort than a single large panel. The heat is spread more evenly and more surfaces can absorb the infrared waves at the same time.
Is it better to have one large or several smaller infrared heating panels?
In many cases, several smaller infrared heating panels provide better comfort than a single large panel. The heat is spread more evenly throughout the room and more surfaces can absorb the infrared waves at the same time, which often provides a more pleasant heating experience.
Does ceiling height affect power requirements?
Yes. The higher the ceiling height, the greater the power requirement will normally be.
Do bathrooms need more power?
Not necessarily. Infracenter normally sizes based on square meters, insulation and conditions in the building. However, many people want a higher temperature in the bathroom, which can affect the power requirement.
Can you get too much effect?
No, not if the system is controlled by a thermostat. A higher installed power does not automatically mean higher energy consumption. The panels turn off when the desired temperature is reached.
Why choose Infracenter?
Since 2014, Infracenter has helped thousands of customers size infrared heating for homes, offices, hotels, yoga studios and commercial properties. Our recommendations are based on real installations and extensive experience with infrared heating panels.