Ceiling heating has long had a mixed reputation. Many have heard that ceiling heating works poorly because the heat rises upwards and never reaches the floor where people actually live.
That's true to some extent – but only when talking about traditional air-borne heating.
Infrared heating works in a completely different way.
Therefore, it is important to distinguish between air-borne ceiling heating and ceiling-mounted infrared heating. They are two different technologies that work according to completely different principles.
Why has ceiling heating gotten a bad reputation?
The explanation is actually quite simple.
Traditional heating systems heat the air. When the air gets hot, it rises and collects at the ceiling. The higher the ceiling height, the greater the problem.
The result is often that it is warm up near the ceiling while the temperature near the floor feels significantly lower.
| Airborne heat | Results |
|---|---|
| Warms the air | The heat rises upwards |
| High temperature at the roof | Lower temperature at the floor |
| Large temperature differences | Uneven temperature in the room |
| The heat collects at the top | Poorer comfort where people stay |
That's why many people still believe that all ceiling heating works poorly.
Infrared heating does not work like traditional ceiling heating
Infrared heating does not use air to transport the heat.
Instead, the infrared waves are sent directly from the panel to floors, walls, furniture and people.
This means that the heat does not first need to heat the air and then spread throughout the room.
The principle is similar to the heat we feel from the sun. The sun warms the ground even though it is far above us. In the same way, an infrared panel in the suspended ceiling can heat the floor and other surfaces in the room.
| Airborne heat | Infrared heating |
|---|---|
| Heats the air first | Heats surfaces directly |
| The heat rises upwards | The infrared waves hit the floor and walls |
| Cold floors are common | Floors and surfaces become warmer |
| Large temperature differences | More even temperature in the room |
Does the floor get warm with infrared heating?
This is one of the most common questions we get.
The biggest objection to ceiling heating is often that the floors become cold.
This is often true when the heating system heats the air. The warm air rises and collects at the ceiling while the floor remains cold.
Infrared heating works differently. The infrared waves hit floors, walls, furniture and people directly, which also heats the floor surfaces.
It is also one of the reasons why many people find that infrared heating provides a more comfortable temperature than what the thermometer shows.
Why infrared heating works so well in suspended ceilings
For many rooms, the suspended ceiling is the best location for infrared panels.
When the panel is mounted in the false ceiling, the infrared waves can spread freely throughout the room without being blocked by sofas, desks, cabinets or other furnishings.
The heat can thus reach floors, walls and furniture effectively.
This is one of the reasons why ceiling-mounted infrared panels are used as main heating in many apartments, townhouses, villas and single-family homes.
Not all infrared panels work equally well on ceilings.
This is an important difference that many people miss.
Many infrared panels on the market are primarily designed for wall mounting. When mounted in suspended ceilings, a large portion of the heat can be lost back towards the ceiling instead of out into the room.
Infracenter Standard series and
The panels are equipped with a reflector mat that helps direct up to 90% of the heat forward towards the room instead of backward towards the ceiling.
In addition, the panels are equipped with a smart zig-zag bracket that makes them easy to install in both suspended and pitched ceilings.
Where is ceiling-mounted infrared heating used?
Infrapanels from Infracenter are mainly used in apartments, townhouses, villas and single-family homes, but work equally well in many other types of premises such as offices, bathrooms, WCs, toilets, laundry rooms, garages, basements, yoga studios, pilates studios, stables, farmhouses, changing rooms and swimming pools.
Stables have strict requirements for electrical equipment and normally require at least an IP54 rating. Infracenter's Standard series and
Is ceiling heating energy efficient?
How energy efficient a heating system is depends on several factors, but the technology behind the heating plays a major role.
Airborne systems must first heat the air before the heat is distributed throughout the room.
Infrared heating instead heats people, floors, walls and other surfaces directly. When these surfaces become hot, some of the heat is stored in the materials and gradually released back into the room.
This is one of the reasons why infrared heating is used as main heating in everything from homes to offices, training facilities and other types of properties.
Frequently asked questions about ceiling heating
Is ceiling heating bad?
Traditional air-borne ceiling heating can cause large temperature differences because hot air rises. Infrared heating works in a completely different way and heats people, floors and surfaces directly.
Does infrared heating work in ceilings?
Yes. Infrared heating is one of the few heating technologies that works very well in suspended ceilings because the infrared waves can spread freely throughout the room.
Does the floor get warm with infrared heating?
Yes. Infrared waves heat floors, walls, furniture and other surfaces directly.
Can infrared panels be installed in pitched ceilings?
Yes. Infracenter Standard series and
Are all infrared panels approved for ceiling installation?
No. Many models on the market are primarily designed for wall mounting. Therefore, it is important to choose a panel that is designed and tested for suspended ceilings.
Summary
Ceiling heating has gotten a bad reputation because many people associate it with airborne heat where the warm air rises and collects at the ceiling.
Infrared heating, on the other hand, works in a completely different way. By heating floors, walls, furniture and people directly, ceiling-mounted infrared panels can create an even and comfortable temperature throughout the room.
This is also the reason why ceiling-mounted infrared heating is today used as main heating in everything from apartments and villas to offices, yoga studios, stables and other demanding environments.