HEATING INSTALLATION GUIDE

Infrared Heating Installation UK: Infrared Panel Heater Guide

A complete guide to infrared heating installation in the UK — how radiant heat differs from convection, panel sizes and power ratings from 300 W to 1,800 W, dedicated circuit requirements, thermostat and zone control options, ceiling versus wall mounting, 2025 installation costs, and comparison with traditional heating.

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12 min readUpdated 2026-05-18Andrew Moore, Founder of Elec-Mate

Written and reviewed by Andrew Moore, founder of Elec-Mate, against BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, IET Guidance Note 3 and the IET On-Site Guide.

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Key Takeaways

  • 1Infrared heating panels emit long-wave infrared radiation (far infrared, wavelength 8–14 microns) that heats objects and people directly rather than heating the air, which then heats occupants indirectly as with convection heaters.
  • 2Infrared panels range from 300 W for small rooms and bathrooms to 1,800 W for large open-plan spaces. A common rule of thumb is 60–80 W per square metre for a well-insulated UK room with 2.4 m ceiling height.
  • 3Panels above 2 kW should be wired to a dedicated radial circuit. Panels under 2 kW can typically be connected via a fused connection unit on an existing ring main circuit, subject to load assessment. Plug-in versions (13 A plug) are available for panels up to 1,200 W.
  • 4Infrared panels should be controlled by a room thermostat or programmable timer rather than running continuously. Without a thermostat, running costs are significantly higher than necessary and the efficiency advantage over convection heating is lost.
  • 5Installed costs range from £200–£600 per panel (supply and installation), depending on panel wattage, brand, and whether a new circuit is required. Whole-house infrared systems for a 3-bedroom property typically cost £3,000–£7,000 installed.
  • 6Infrared heating is most effective in well-insulated spaces, rooms with high air change rates (workshops, garages, conservatories), and as supplementary heating for specific zones rather than as the sole heating system in a poorly insulated property.
01 · Heating Installation Guide

How Infrared Heating Works

Infrared heating panels emit electromagnetic radiation in the long-wave infrared spectrum (far infrared, approximately 8–14 microns wavelength). Unlike visible light, this radiation is absorbed by solid objects — furniture, walls, floors, and people — raising their surface temperature without first heating the air.

  • Radiant vs convective heat — traditional panel heaters and radiators warm the air, which then circulates by convection to warm occupants. Infrared panels warm objects and occupants directly. This means a person sitting near an infrared panel feels warm even if the air temperature is relatively low — a useful characteristic in draughty or high-ceiling spaces.
  • Thermal mass effect — walls, floors, and furniture absorb infrared radiation and re-radiate heat over time, creating a gentle thermal mass effect. Rooms heated by infrared tend to feel warm more quickly after the panel switches on and retain warmth slightly longer after it switches off compared to pure convection heaters.
  • No air movement — infrared panels have no fans and create no forced air circulation. This makes them popular in environments where dust circulation is a concern (allergy sufferers, server rooms, precision environments) and in quiet spaces such as home offices and bedrooms.
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02 · Heating Installation Guide

Panel Sizes and Power Ratings

Infrared panels are available in a wide range of power ratings and physical sizes. Correct panel selection is essential for comfort and efficiency.

  • 300–500 W — suitable for small bedrooms (up to 6 m²), bathrooms, and hallways. Physical size approximately 60 × 60 cm to 60 × 90 cm. Can typically be connected to an existing ring main via a fused connection unit.
  • 600–900 W — suitable for average bedrooms (8–12 m²) and smaller living rooms in well-insulated properties. Physical size approximately 60 × 120 cm. Suitable for ring main connection below 2 kW total load.
  • 1,000–1,400 W — typical living room or open-plan kitchen/dining specification (15–20 m²). Physical size 60 × 150 cm to 90 × 120 cm. May require dedicated circuit at upper end of range depending on existing ring main load.
  • 1,600–1,800 W — large rooms, open-plan spaces, conservatories, and workshops (25–30 m²). Physical size 90 × 150 cm to 120 × 120 cm. Dedicated radial circuit recommended. These panels are often ceiling-mounted for maximum coverage area.

As a sizing guide, use 60–80 W per square metre for rooms with good insulation and 2.4 m ceiling height. Increase to 80–100 W/m² for older properties with less insulation, high ceilings, or significant glazing areas.

03 · Heating Installation Guide

Dedicated Circuit vs Plug-In

The electrical connection method for infrared panels depends primarily on the panel's power rating and the existing circuit loading.

  • Plug-in (13 A socket) — panels up to approximately 1,200 W are available with a standard 13 A plug. Suitable for temporary or portable use. For permanent installations, a fused connection unit (FCU) with appropriate fuse rating provides a neater and more professional connection than a socket and plug arrangement. Ensure the ring main circuit load budget is not exceeded.
  • Fused connection unit (FCU) — for permanent wiring of panels up to 2 kW onto an existing ring main or radial circuit. The FCU is wired from the nearest available socket or junction, with appropriate fuse rating (3 A for panels up to 700 W, 5 A for panels 700 W–1,100 W, 13 A for higher ratings). The FCU provides local isolation for the panel.
  • Dedicated radial circuit — required for panels above 2 kW, for installations in zones where the existing ring main is at or near full load, and for any bathroom infrared installation. A 2.5 mm² radial circuit with a 16 A or 20 A MCB and 30 mA RCD protection is appropriate for most infrared panel applications.
  • Part P compliance — any fixed wiring of infrared panels (fused connection unit or dedicated circuit) is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations. The work must be self-certified by a registered competent person or notified to building control.
04 · Heating Installation Guide

Thermostat Options for Infrared Panels

Running an infrared panel without a thermostat is wasteful — the panel runs continuously regardless of room temperature, eliminating the energy savings achievable through temperature-based switching.

  • Built-in thermostats — some panels include a built-in thermostat and timer. Convenient for single-panel rooms but less accurate than a separate room thermostat positioned at head height away from the panel.
  • Wireless room thermostats — a wireless thermostat and receiver can control one or more panels in a zone without running control wiring from the thermostat position to each panel. Salus iT500, Honeywell Evohome wireless zones, and Hive wireless receivers are all compatible with infrared panels.
  • Smart thermostats — Google Nest, Drayton Wiser, and tado° can control infrared panels via wireless receivers, providing scheduling, geofencing, and learning capabilities. Compatible receivers must be rated for the panel's current draw.
  • Thermostat wiring — when wiring a wired thermostat to an infrared panel, the thermostat switches the live supply to the panel. The thermostat must be rated for the panel's full current. A 16 A thermostat is appropriate for panels up to 3.5 kW.
05 · Heating Installation Guide

Zone Control for Infrared Heating

One of the practical advantages of infrared heating is the ease of implementing true room-by-room zone control, unlike wet central heating systems that require thermostatic radiator valves or zone valves.

  • Individual panel control — each panel controlled by its own thermostat provides perfect zone control. A bedroom panel can be set to 17°C while a living room panel is at 21°C, with different schedules for each room.
  • Multi-zone smart systems — platforms like Drayton Wiser, Honeywell Evohome, and tado° support multiple independent zones on a single app. Each zone has a wireless receiver controlling the panel(s) in that room. Up to 12–16 zones can be managed on a single hub.
  • Open window detection — smart thermostats with open window detection (tado°, Wiser) reduce or eliminate heating when a window is opened, preventing wasted energy from heating outdoor air. Particularly useful in rooms with frequent ventilation.

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06 · Heating Installation Guide

Ceiling vs Wall Mounting

Both ceiling and wall mounting are suitable for infrared panels, and the choice depends on room geometry, ceiling height, and the primary occupancy pattern.

  • Wall mounting — positioned high on the wall (1.9–2.1 m) directing radiant energy across the room. Best where occupants are mobile (hallways, kitchens) or where ceiling access is impractical. Side-wall mounting angles energy toward seating or working areas. Most domestic installations use wall mounting for bedrooms and living rooms.
  • Ceiling mounting — provides the largest effective coverage area from a single panel. Best for rooms where occupants are stationary (home offices, dining rooms) and for commercial applications (workshops, factories). Ceiling height 2.4–4.5 m is optimal. Mounting above 4.5 m significantly reduces intensity at floor level.
  • Structural considerations — ceiling-mounted panels must be fixed to structural joists or adequately rated plasterboard fixings rated for the panel weight (3–8 kg typical). Do not fix to plasterboard with standard plasterboard plugs — use dedicated hollow wall anchors rated for the panel weight or fix through the plasterboard into joists.
07 · Heating Installation Guide

Infrared Panel Costs (2025)

Infrared heating has lower upfront installation costs than wet central heating but higher running costs than a heat pump. The economics depend heavily on electricity tariff and usage pattern.

  • Panel supply only — 300 W panel: £80–£150; 600 W: £130–£220; 900 W: £180–£280; 1,200 W: £220–£350; 1,800 W: £320–£500. Premium brands (Herschel, Redwell) command a price premium over budget manufacturers.
  • Installation per panel (existing circuit) — £100–£200 per panel to supply, fix, wire to FCU or existing circuit, and test. More for ceiling mounting requiring access to loft or floor void.
  • Installation per panel (new circuit) — £200–£400 per panel when a new dedicated radial circuit is required from the consumer unit.
  • Whole-house infrared system (3-bedroom, 6 panels) — £3,000–£6,500 installed, including panels, wiring, thermostats, and consumer unit additions if required.
08 · Heating Installation Guide

Infrared vs Convection Heating

Understanding how infrared compares to convection heating helps electricians advise customers on the most suitable heating technology for their property and lifestyle.

  • Speed of warming — infrared panels feel warm almost immediately (within 1–2 minutes). Convection heaters warm the air first, which then warms occupants — this takes longer, particularly in large rooms. For rooms used intermittently, infrared has a practical advantage.
  • Air quality — infrared heating creates no air movement and does not dry the air or circulate dust. Convection heaters create air circulation that can dry mucous membranes and distribute airborne allergens. Infrared is preferred in bedrooms and spaces occupied by allergy sufferers.
  • High-ceiling and draughty spaces — in high-ceiling rooms, warm air rises to the ceiling where it provides no benefit to occupants. Infrared heats objects at the level where people are present, regardless of ceiling height. Workshops, conservatories, and period properties with high ceilings benefit significantly from infrared over convection heating.
  • Heat pump comparison — an air-source heat pump achieves 200–300% efficiency (coefficient of performance) compared to 100% for infrared. Running costs for infrared are 2–3 times higher than a heat pump for the same heat output. For properties where a heat pump is feasible, it is the economically superior choice.
09 · Heating Installation Guide

For Electricians: Infrared Panel Installation

Infrared panel installation is straightforward domestic electrical work with good margins. Most residential jobs are half-day to full-day installations, and the growing interest in electric-only heating makes this a recurring enquiry source.

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Use the Elec-Mate certificates app to complete Minor Works Certificates or Electrical Installation Certificates for infrared panel installations on your phone. Clients receive Part P compliance documentation before you leave.

Quote Multi-Room Systems

Single-panel enquiries often convert to multi-room systems when you present a clear whole-house proposal. Use the quoting app to build itemised quotes for each room and present the total system cost professionally.

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