A restaurant doesn't just sell food and drinks.
It sells an experience.
Guests should feel welcome from the moment they walk in the door until they leave the venue. But even the best food and the most professional service can struggle to make up for a cold and drafty environment.
After thousands of installations of infrared heating in restaurants, cafes, hotels and commercial properties, Infracenter has seen the same challenges over and over again. Cold window seats, entrances that let in cold air, high ceiling heights and outdoor seating areas that cannot be used for as long as the owner wishes.
That is precisely why more and more businesses are choosing infrared heating panels and Dark Heaters from Infracenter.
Since 2014, we have helped restaurants, cafés and hotels across the Nordic region create better environments for both guests and staff. Today, Infracenter is the Nordic region's leading specialist in infrared heating, and our products are used in everything from smaller cafés to hotel chains, conference facilities and commercial properties.
Modern restaurant with large glass areas where all tables are well occupied.
Why are restaurants and cafes difficult to heat?
Restaurant environments have completely different requirements than regular offices or homes.
The premises often have:
Large glass areas
High ceiling heights
Entrance doors that are opened hundreds of times a day
Cold floor surfaces
Guests who sit still for extended periods of time
Outdoor dining areas affected by weather and wind
Traditional heating tries to solve the problem by heating the air.
The problem is that the warm air quickly disappears when doors are opened or cold air flows in through entrances and glass areas.
The result is often uneven temperatures where some parts of the restaurant feel significantly colder than others.
Traditional heating or infrared heating?
| Challenge | Traditional heating | Infrared heating from Infracenter |
|---|---|---|
| Cold draft from glass areas | Common problem | Greatly reduced |
| High ceilings | The heat rises upwards | The heat ends up where people sit. |
| Entrances that are opened frequently | The heat dissipates quickly | Surfaces and people retain heat longer |
| Outdoor dining | Limited effect | Very effective solution |
| Comfort near windows | Often uneven | More even heat sensation |
| Workplaces near the entrance | Draft and cooling | More comfortable working environment |
This is precisely why infrared heating panels have become a popular option in restaurants, cafes and hotels where traditional heating often has difficulty creating the same perceived comfort.
More attractive seating all year round
Many restaurants have tables that guests prefer to avoid during the winter months.
It is often about:
Table near window
Places next to entrances
Corner table by glass partitions
Lounge areas near exterior walls
After many years of experience, we have seen that this is much more common than many restaurant owners think.
When infrared heat warms people, furniture, floors and walls instead of just heating the air, comfort in these areas is also improved.
The result is that more seats are perceived as attractive during larger parts of the year.
Restaurant guests sitting comfortably by large panoramic windows during winter.
A better working environment for staff
Restaurant staff often spend entire workdays in the same location.
Serving counters, bars, receptions and checkouts are common areas where temperature variations become particularly evident.
When the work environment improves, it is not only noticeable to the staff.
This is often noticeable in the meeting with guests.
Infracenter's infrared heating panels are currently used in restaurants, hotels and cafés throughout the Nordic region, where the goal is to create an even and comfortable temperature even in workplaces that were previously experienced as cold.
Extend the season on the outdoor terrace
For many restaurants, outdoor seating is one of the most valuable areas of the business.
At the same time, it is often the temperature that determines how long guests choose to stay.
With Dark Heater and patio heaters from Infracenter, many businesses can extend the season both in spring and autumn.
The goal is not to create peak summer heat in the middle of winter.
The goal is to give guests a reason to stay a little longer, order another cup of coffee or enjoy dessert without feeling frozen.
Every extra week that the outdoor seating can be used means better utilization of the restaurant's space.
Outdoor seating open in the evening with Dark Heater mounted above the guests.
Which solution is best?
| Environment | Recommended solution |
|---|---|
| Restaurant premises | Infrared heating panels or Dark Heater |
| Cafe | Infrared heating panels or Dark Heater |
| Hotel reception | Infrared heating panels or Dark Heater |
| Entrance areas | Dark Heater |
| Large glass areas | Dark Heater or infrared heating panels |
| Conservatory | Dark Heater |
| Outdoor dining | Dark Heater or patio heater |
| Lounge environments | Infrared heating panels |
| Conference areas | Infrared heating panels |
| Serving counters | Dark Heater |
In many restaurants, a combination of infrared panels and Dark Heaters is used to create the best possible results. The infrared panels provide even basic heat, while the Dark Heater is used where cold spots and temperature variations are greatest.
Why restaurants and cafés choose Infracenter
Many companies sell heat.
Few have worked with infrared heating as long as Infracenter.
Since 2014, we have helped thousands of customers create better indoor environments with the help of infrared heating panels, Dark Heaters and patio heaters. Our experience ranges from small cafes to some of the most demanding commercial environments in the Nordics.
When restaurants choose Infracenter, they get:
The Nordic region's leading specialist in infrared heating
Own quality products developed for professional environments
Up to 10 years factory warranty on selected products
Solutions for both indoor and outdoor environments
Products with long lifespan and minimal maintenance
Experience from thousands of installations
Discreet design that suits modern restaurant environments
High comfort for both guests and staff
Why are more and more people choosing infrared heating panels instead of more elements?
When a restaurant experiences cold zones, the most common solution is to install more elements.
The problem is that radiators primarily heat the air.
When entrance doors are opened or cold drafts occur near large glass areas, a large portion of the heat is quickly lost.
Infrared heating panels work differently.
Instead of just heating the air, they heat people, floors, furniture and walls directly. This means that the heat is perceived as significantly more stable even in environments where traditional heating systems often have difficulty creating the same results.
Frequently asked questions about infrared heating for restaurants and cafes
Does infrared heating work near large glass areas?
Yes. It is one of the environments where infrared heating often makes the biggest difference because it helps reduce the cold feeling from glass surfaces and cold drafts.
Are infrared heating panels energy efficient?
Yes. Because the heat is directed at people and surfaces, the energy is used where it is most beneficial instead of just heating the air.
Which solution is best suited for an outdoor dining area?
Dark Heater and patio heaters are the most common options for restaurants and cafes that want to create high comfort outdoors.
Do infrared panels require a lot of maintenance?
No. The products contain no moving parts and require minimal maintenance.
Can infrared panels be installed in suspended ceilings?
Yes. Many of Infracenter's infrared heating panels are developed for suspended ceilings and acoustic ceilings, which provides a very discreet installation.
When warmth becomes part of the guest experience
The best restaurant environments are those where the guest never has to think about the temperature.
When the window seats are as attractive as the rest of the premises, when the staff does not have to work in cold places and when the outdoor seating can be used for more months of the year, the heating system has become a natural part of the business's success.
That's why more and more restaurants, cafés and hotels are choosing Infracenter – the Nordic region's leading specialist in infrared heating panels, Dark Heater and patio heaters for professional environments.