Heating with infrared panels - Perplexity
- Externe publicaties
- Feb 2
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 6
Intro
Heating with infrared panels is a modern form of electric heating that provides direct radiant heat to objects and people in a room, similar to the heat of the sun. Infrared panels are particularly suitable as supplementary heating or for specific applications in well-insulated homes, but can also serve as primary heating with a good layout and sufficient insulation. [1] [2] [3] [4]
Benefits of infrared panels
Instantly pleasant warm feeling when switched on, without air circulation, so less spread of dust or allergens. [2] [5] [3]
Simple and flexible installation without pipes or radiators, suitable for both residential and commercial spaces. [6] [4]
Suitable for local heating, allowing only used zones (e.g. a workplace) to be heated particularly efficiently. [5]
Modern and sleek appearance, often fitting into the interior. [3] [6]
No noise, no outdoor unit and low maintenance compared to a heat pump or central heating boiler. [1] [3]
Can be beneficial in combination with solar panels, because production and consumption are electric. [7]
Disadvantages and points of interest
Relatively high electricity consumption when used as main heating: in a well-insulated corner house this amounts to approximately 4,650 kWh per year for infrared panels (excluding tap water), more than twice the consumption of a standard electric heat pump. [1]
Only surfaces and people within the radiation range are heated efficiently; corners and shaded areas may remain cold. [3]
Higher purchase costs than electric panel heating, and a good installation plan is important for total comfort. [7] [3]
Less suitable for poorly insulated homes due to direct heat loss through walls and windows. [3] [7]
Aesthetics: Visibility of panels can be perceived as disturbing if they are not properly integrated. [3]
Energy consumption and savings
The consumption of a panel (550 watts) is 0.55 kWh per hour, which means a significant power demand when used frequently, especially if it serves as the main heating system. [8]
In well-insulated houses, infrared can save approximately 10 to 40% energy compared to traditional heating, provided the system is used efficiently and selectively. [5]
However, compared to an electric heat pump, the total annual consumption can be significantly higher: fully electric heat pump (2,700 kWh) versus infrared panels as main heating (4,650 kWh). [1]
Applications in the home
Ideal as additional heating, for example in the bathroom, home office or sitting area. [4]
Can be the main heating source in smaller or highly insulated homes, provided panels are correctly positioned and sized. [4] [7]
Flexible in use and quick to switch on/off, useful for people who only heat for a short time or in limited areas. [2] [4] [1]
In summary: infrared panels are particularly interesting for targeted, fast, and localized heating, and are ideal for heavily insulated spaces or as supplementary heating. With primary heating, the total electricity costs are often considerably higher than with a heat pump, although the investment/installation can be simpler. [4] [1] [3]
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