Choosing the right infrared panel is important. But just as important is how the panels are placed.
Over the years, we have seen many installations where customers have chosen high-quality infrared heating panels but still not achieved maximum comfort. In almost all cases, it is not about the product – it is about the placement.
Properly installed infrared panels provide more even heat, warmer floors, fewer cold zones and a significantly higher comfort experience throughout the room.
Since 2014, Infracenter has delivered infrared heating panels to thousands of homes, offices, yoga studios, shops and commercial properties. The experience from these installations forms the basis for the recommendations in this guide.
Think of infrared heat as lighting
The easiest way to understand the placement of infrared panels is to compare them to lighting.
Just like light, infrared heat spreads from a source across a surface. Therefore, the same basic principle applies when planning heating as when planning the lighting in a room.
In a smaller bedroom or bathroom, a centrally placed ceiling light is often enough to create even light. Similarly, a centrally placed infrared heating panel is usually enough to create a comfortable and even heat.
In larger rooms it works differently.
No one would place a single lamp in a corner of a large living room and expect perfect lighting throughout the room. Instead, multiple light sources are used that work together to create an even result.
The same principle applies to infrared heating panels.
In larger living rooms, open-plan spaces, offices and commercial environments, several smaller panels often provide better comfort than a single large one. The heat is distributed more evenly, cold zones are reduced and the entire room feels more comfortable.
Ceiling or wall mounting – what does Infracenter recommend?
For Infracenter's infrared heating panels, we normally recommend ceiling mounting whenever possible.
When the panel is installed in a suspended or pitched ceiling, the heat radiation is better distributed throughout the room and reaches the floor surface more effectively. This contributes to more even heat, warmer floors and greater comfort.
One of the great advantages of infrared heating is that floors, walls and furniture absorb the heat and help store it over time. When the panel is mounted on the ceiling, the heat is better able to hit these surfaces evenly throughout the room.
In smaller rooms, the difference between ceiling and wall mounting is often limited. If the panel is sized correctly, the room will be warm regardless of its placement. However, ceiling mounting usually provides the best conditions for fully utilizing the heat from Infracenter's infrared heating panels.
Products such as mirror panels, glass panels and towel warmer panels, however, are developed for wall mounting and should be mounted on the wall according to the respective product's instructions.
Pitched roofs often work very well
Many people believe that infrared panels can only be installed in flat ceilings. However, our experience shows that sloping ceilings often work perfectly.
As long as the panel has free distribution across the room, a sloping ceiling can provide the same high level of comfort and even heat distribution as a traditional suspended ceiling.
Therefore, we do not place infrared panels as regular elements.
Traditional elements are often placed under windows to counteract cold drafts by heating the air.
Infrared heating panels work in a different way.
Instead of primarily heating the air, they heat floors, walls, furniture and people. Therefore, the placement of the heat radiation itself becomes more important than the placement of a traditional element.
This means that you don't have to think like you would when installing regular radiators. The goal is instead to let the heat reach as large parts of the room as possible and give floors and other surfaces the opportunity to store the heat.
Why do many people feel that infrared heating feels like underfloor heating?
One of the most common comments from our customers is that the floors feel warmer after installation.
The explanation is simple.
When the infrared heat hits the floor surface, some of the energy is absorbed by the floor. The floor then acts as a natural heat reservoir and releases heat back into the room over time.
The result is comfort that many people experience as reminiscent of traditional underfloor heating.
This does not mean that the floor always reaches the same temperature as a water-based underfloor heating system. However, many people find that the room feels significantly more comfortable because the floor surfaces no longer feel cold.
That feeling is one of the reasons why infrared heating has become so popular in homes, yoga studios, offices and other environments where high comfort is prioritized.
How many infrared panels do I need?
When planning a new heating system, it is easy to focus on as few panels as possible.
Our experience shows that it is usually better to focus on even heat distribution.
In well-insulated homes with normal ceiling heights, around 100 W per square meter is usually a good starting point. The solution is then adapted to the floor plan, ceiling height, window areas and how the room is used.
| Room | Common recommendation |
|---|---|
| Bedroom 10–15 m² | 1 infrared panel |
| Bathroom | 1 infrared panel |
| Living room 25–35 m² | 2–3 infrared panels |
| Open plan | 3–5 infrared panels |
| Office | Adaptable to floor plan and workplaces |
Remember that these are general guidelines. Each project is unique and should be dimensioned based on the conditions in the building in question.
Higher ceilings often require more power
In most Swedish homes, the ceiling height is between approximately 2.10 and 2.50 meters. At these heights, ceiling-mounted infrared panels work very effectively.
At ceiling heights of three meters or more, more panels or higher installed power may be needed to achieve the same level of comfort.
In some projects, the panels are also tilted down to optimize heat distribution.
It's better to choose a little more power than too little.
One of the most common mistakes we see is that customers try to size the facility at the absolute minimum.
It can work for much of the year, but during the coldest days of the year, the system risks having difficulty heating floors, walls and other surfaces sufficiently.
When these surfaces do not have time to store heat, comfort also deteriorates.
Therefore, it is often better to choose a little more power than too little.
More power does not automatically mean higher electricity consumption
It is a common misconception that more watts always leads to a higher electricity bill.
In practice, energy consumption is primarily controlled by how much heat the building loses, not by how much power is installed.
A slightly more powerful installation reaches the desired temperature faster. The thermostat then turns off the heat earlier.
The result is often:
Higher comfort
Warmer floors
More even temperature
Faster heating
Happier users
Spot heating or heating the entire room?
Infrared heating is flexible and can be used in different ways depending on needs.
Spot heating
If the goal is to increase comfort at a workplace, reception desk, reading chair or dining area, the panel can be directed towards that particular surface.
Heating the entire room
When the goal is to heat the entire room, the panels should be positioned so that the heat reaches as large an area of the room as possible. This is where ceiling mounting often provides the most even heat distribution.
Placement near windows and exterior walls
Large glass areas and exterior walls are often the areas where heat loss is greatest.
By allowing infrared heat to hit these surfaces, you can reduce the feeling of cold drafts and at the same time create a more even temperature throughout the room.
This is another example of why the placement of the infrared panels plays such a big role in the end result.
The most common mistake we see
The most common mistake is not that the customer chooses the wrong infrared panel.
The most common mistake is trying to heat large areas with too few panels.
The result is often that some parts of the room feel comfortable while others are perceived as cooler.
By thinking of infrared heating as lighting and distributing the heat over several points, you almost always get a better result.
That's why Infracenter's customers succeed better
Since 2014, Infracenter has helped customers throughout the Nordic region plan, dimension and install infrared heating panels.
Most of the problems we see are not due to the wrong product. The problems almost always occur when the panels are placed incorrectly or when the installed power is too low.
By choosing the right number of panels, the right power and the right placement, you can create a home with a more even temperature, warmer floors and significantly higher comfort.
That is why Infracenter places such great importance on dimensioning and placement right from the start. Experience from thousands of installations has shown that proper planning almost always gives a better result than trying to save on the number of panels.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about installing infrared panels
Should infrared panels be mounted on the ceiling or on the wall?
For Infracenter's white infrared heating panels, ceiling mounting is normally recommended whenever possible. This usually provides the most even heat distribution, warmer floors and the highest comfort.
Do pitched ceilings work for infrared panels?
Yes. Sloped ceilings often work very well as long as the panel has free spread across the room.
How many infrared panels do I need?
In well-insulated buildings with normal ceiling heights, around 100 W/m² is a common guideline. However, the number of panels should be adjusted according to the room size, ceiling height and floor plan.
Are several smaller panels better than one large one?
In many cases, yes. Several smaller panels often provide more even heat distribution, greater comfort and fewer cold zones than a single large panel.
Does infrared heating make floors warmer?
Many customers experience that the floors feel significantly warmer because the infrared heat heats the floor surface directly and allows the floor to function as a natural heat layer.
Can I install an infrared panel myself?
Yes, the mechanical installation of Infracenter's infrared heating panels is normally simple and the products are delivered with clear installation instructions. Many customers choose to install the panels themselves on the ceiling or wall.
Since the installation usually also includes an electrical connection and often a thermostat, some electrical knowledge is an advantage. Permanent electrical installation should always be carried out in accordance with applicable regulations and if in doubt, a qualified electrician should be consulted.