FAQs
What is Infrared Heating?
Infrared waves, or infrared light, are part of the electromagnetic spectrum. People encounter Infrared waves every day; the human eye cannot see them, but humans can detect them as heat. The heat is the same feeling of warmth as the sun on your face on a cold winter day.
Infrared heaters work by converting electricity into radiant heat which is the direct transfer of heat from the heater to the object (you and the room around you) without heating the air in between, as traditional radiators do. This makes infrared heating systems highly efficient, creating a comfortable, draught-free environment with an even heat distribution throughout the area.
Where is Infrared Heating used?
With continuous advances in technology, the controlled precision, cost -effectiveness and eco-friendly energy efficiency of infrared heat means it is a popular, efficient and a widely used heating system in residential, commercial and large industrial units. Either Infrared underfloor heating is installed or infrared heating panels are installed, or a mixture of both. Our systems are very popular with anyone looking to integrate an eco friendly system and infrared heating is often teamed with solar energy.
Domestic applications include whole house heating, dry and wet rooms, extensions, patios, conservatories, basements, garages, garage conversions, sheds, garden rooms and other outbuildings. Whereas in the past we frequently had domestic clients use our system for one room, such as their conservatory, we now find we are providing infrared heating more and more as the clients new, efficient and whole house heating system.
Certain infrared heaters are designed to heat larger interiors which makes them great for commercial and industrial purposes such as offices, cafés, restaurants and pubs, Churches,
factories, warehouses, workshops, garages and schools.
Our outdoor patio heaters are proving increasingly popular as more and more people utilize their outdoor space for longer periods during the year. And as the heat feels like the sun is shining on your face it is reportedly very enjoyable.
How do you control Infrared Heating?
Whether it’s Infrared Heating Panels or Underfloor Heating, programmable thermostat
controllers are being used to control your heating system. Unlike central heating systems, infrared heating is being controlled on an individual basis with a thermostat controller in each room. This ensures you only heat the rooms you need heated, when you want them heated. Precise heating in this way avoids wasting energy and minimizes your heating costs. Our thermostat controllers are fully programmable to suit your heating needs.
Do Infrared Heaters work instantly?
Infrared Heating products provide almost instant heat since it is transferred directly onto the surrounding bodies and objects. You don’t need to wait for the air to heat up before you feel the warmth.
How do Infrared Heating panels work?
Infrared Heating systems are still a fairly recent addition to the UK market but their efficiency, simplicity and potential to reduce your energy bills makes them well worth considering over a traditional heating system.
By emitting radiant heat, infrared heating panels directly warm objects and people rather than the air, as traditional radiators do. So, if you were to sit near an infrared heating panel in a cold room, you would feel warm despite the air being cold.
Why is the right placement of Infrared Heating panels vital?
Infrared waves travel from the source until they are absorbed by a solid object – it is a direct heating method. The type of heat they produce is unaffected by air movement and can’t be lost through draughts, making infrared heating products so efficient.
However, due to the direct nature of infrared waves, it means that they also must be pointed toward the right place. Convection products work by warming the total air volume within a given space and can be placed almost anywhere but
infrared heating products require an unimpeded line of sight to the area that
needs to be heated.
Why Underfloor Heating?
Underfloor heating is a cleaner, more efficient way to heat a home. Our electric underfloor heating systems require less energy to reach an ideal temperature compared to traditional heating systems, saving you money on your heating bills. These systems allow responsive zoned heating, offering a flexible, more personalized heating solution for your home. Zoned heating means you can heat just the bathroom or kitchen in the morning without turning the heating on for the whole house, with each zone having its own dedicated heating controller.
Floor heating uses radiant heat technology to distribute warmth into a room. Radiant
heat is how the Sun heats the Earth, focusing on gently warming the objects and people in the room directly, instead of just warming the air like central heating systems. This process promotes a sustainable approach to energy usage whilst retaining the same level of comfort.
Would Underfloor Heating suit my home?
Underfloor heating systems can be installed under almost any surface. The systems are also completely invisible and quiet in operation. Conventional radiators do not contribute to the aesthetics of a room and can reduce room space. Installing a radiant floor or ceiling heating
system allows more flexibility in creating the perfect living environment.
How efficient and clean are Underfloor Heating systems?
Traditional central heating systems work by heating water in the radiator. This then heats the air which creates air currents as warm air rises and cold air falls due to differences in their density. This creates a temperature differential in the room with the ceiling space being
heated first.
Radiant heat is the most efficient form of heat distribution available. The objects in the room are heated first and they then gently warm the surrounding air. This means that the air temperatures can be lowered in the room whilst still maintaining comfort levels, resulting
in a reduction in heating bills.
As the air does not circulate there are no draughts created. Dust is not circulated in the room which brings higher comfort levels, especially for allergy sufferers. There is a more even vertical
heat distribution throughout the room which is far closer to the ideal distribution.
Benefits include:
• Luxury of a heated floor, especially in winter.
• Precise and responsive temperature control in each room.
• Keeps wall space free from radiators.
• Low surface temperature (typically 27-30°C, compared to 65-80°C for a
conventional radiator system).
• Reduced temperature differences and reduced dust circulation.
Is Underfloor Heating expensive to run?
Running costs can vary depending on your home’s design, how well insulated it is, what energy tariff you are on and how you control and monitor your home’s heating.
Underfloor heating can offer substantially lower running costs compared to traditional central heating. This is because underfloor heating systems offer much quicker heat-up times than
central-heating based systems whilst also running at lower temperatures yet still producing the same level of warmth in the room.
Do I need insulation for Underfloor Heating?
Installing insulation boards is highly recommended when fitting infrared heating film, electric cable mats or loose heating cable. The insulation boards will dramatically cut warm-up times.
This will mean less energy is used heating the floor. As a result, your bills will be lower.
While it is highly recommended that you install insulation boards under cable mats or loose cable, it is not necessary if you cannot build the floor up. However, if you are installing infrared heating film element, it is vital that you use the underfloor insulation. This will protect the element from any moisture in the sub-floor, which can cause nuisance tripping of the RCD. The insulation also provides excellent sound insulation, which is vital when using a laminate floor
covering.
Whatever underfloor heating system you use, it is sensible to invest in proper insulation. This will keep your system running efficiently and save you money over the life of the system.
Whether or not Infrared Heating is safe?
Well, the good news is that despite being a form of electromagnetic radiation, infrared heating is safe when installed correctly and connected by a qualified electrician. The word radiation often scares people and it is true that some types of electromagnetic radiation can be dangerous, such as ultraviolet and x-rays, however remember that visible light (that we see with our eyes) is also a type of electromagnetic radiation – and this, much like infrared, is 100% safe!
Since infrared is an effective heating mechanism, more and more people and companies around the world are looking to utilize this in their heating systems and therefore it is becoming a much more popular heating solution.
How do you use Infrared Heating technologies safely?
Different types of infrared heating products (heating panels, space heaters, industrial heaters, underfloor heating film) produce various amounts of heat. Depending on the technology you use, each will have its own safety operating procedures. Always refer to the operation manual if in doubt.
Are electric Infrared Heaters environmentally-friendly?
Electric infrared heaters don‘t generate gaseous products, toxic fumes, or fine particulates that have adverse effects on the environment. They do not agitate the surrounding air, which carries dust and allergens. Moreover, energy efficiency of infrared heaters helps to green the environment.
I want to switch from Central heating to your advanced, Infrared underfloor heating and infrared panels. Can you help me design the system?
Yes. We offer a free one to one consultation. You can email us or give us a call.
What flooring can I use with your underfloor heating film?
The heating film is designed for floating floors: laminate, engineered wood and click vinyl or click eco flooring laid on an underlay. Always check that your chosen flooring is suitable for use over underfloor heating. For tiled floors, use an underfloor heating cable mat instead of the film.
Can we put Carpet on top of your advanced heating system?
Yes. Carpet up to 2.5 tog can be used, laid over a board overlay system such as the Flexel ECOMAX-DUO on top of the film.
Can I use tile?
Not with the heating film. For tiled floors we recommend an underfloor heating cable mat, which is designed to go under tiles. It takes a little longer to install and to warm up, but works very well. If you would prefer to use our heating film, we can recommend waterproof click flooring with a tile effect.
Is there an alternative to tile you recommend?
Yes. Just email us and we will make sure you get a free
sample.
Is it messy to install?
No. Our system does not need to be screeded in. It is very
fast and simple to install and a lot less mess than other systems.
How long will my floor take to heat up?
One of the benefits of this system is it does begin to heat
up immediately. The heating film takes about 15 seconds to reach its operating
capacity. With traditional underfloor heating a lot of energy is then
needlessly used to heat up the screed (concrete used to set the heating mat
in place). Our system does not need screed. The floor begins to heat up
immediately, making this fast and more economical.
The heat does need to distribute through the floor. A
thicker floor covering will take a bit longer. A larger room may take 15-20
minutes to reach capacity.
With modern thermostats you can plan the heating of any
rooms individually. Making the whole heating experience fast, efficient and
economical.
Can I put furniture on top of the underfloor heating?
Yes. The system we use is set so that large items of
furniture can be placed on top of the floor. If you want to move your furniture
around at a later date you can.
Would you put underfloor heating under the cooker etc.
No. There is no point to do that. The output would be
wasted. On a complete refurbishment, where the room is empty, we can help you
plan where to install the underfloor heating. But under cookers, fridges etc is
not advisable.
Does underfloor heating give better heat distribution compared to traditional radiators?
Absolutely. There are no “hot spots”. You will not need to
sit by the radiator to get warm. The heat is distributed evenly.
Is it more hygienic to use our Underfloor Heating system?
Yes. Less moisture is created with this system as opposed to
central heating. Dust mites do not have the environment that they prefer and
are certainly not “at home” with our system. There is not the usual disruption
of dust with our underfloor heating. Dust will not collect underneath or around
the radiator.
People with allergies will find this system more
comfortable. Similarly, our infrared heating panels offer such benefits.
What are the differences between this underfloor heating system and conventional underfloor heating? Why is your heating film so good?
Traditional underfloor heating needs to be screeded in. With
a wet floor system pipes need laid. There is nothing wrong with these systems.
They work. But traditional underfloor installations take longer, is more
complicated and is generally more expensive and messier than our system. Our
system is economical and heats the room faster. The heating film is very easy
to install and maintenance free. There are no moving parts to worry about. In
addition, if you change the flooring in years to come, our advanced underfloor
heating system will still work. With a traditional system you would need to
renew it.
Is this system easy to install?
Yes. Laying the film is straightforward and many of our customers do it themselves, but all electrical connections must be made and certified by a qualified electrician.
Can you install the underfloor heating for us?
We design and supply the heating, but we do not install it ourselves. Our official installation partner, Standard Electrical Services, can install it for you expertly and quickly.
What does the heating equipment cost per m²?
The cost depends on the room size, floor build-up and controls. Our carbon heating film starts from £12.97 per m², and complete kits are available. Send us your room sizes and we will give you a free, itemised quote.
Why would someone install a wet (water) underfloor system rather than your system?
Mostly because they do not know our system exists, or because they already have pipes laid and are updating an existing wet system. In homes with average to good insulation, our system is generally cheaper to install and to run.
Is your system cheaper to use than conventional underfloor heating systems?
The traditional system has to heat up a layer of concrete as
well as your floor. Therefore it is more costly. Also, the layer of concrete
(screed) will have to cool down after the heating is turned off. Often the room
gets overheated.
Our Underfloor heating uses 130 W/m² as standard, with 110 W/m² and 80 W/m² available for well-insulated rooms.
Traditional underfloor heating uses 150, 180 or 200 watts
per m2
Even without the screed a traditional system costs more than
our system to install and run. We can tailor your system, so it is as efficient
as possible.
Do I need to service this system?
No. There are no moving parts to service. Making this
maintenance free
How long should the system last?
As already stated, this is a maintenance free system. We
estimate it will last up to 50 years.
If I change the flooring, do I need to renew the heating system?
One of the many benefits to installing our advanced heating
system is that you can change your flooring many years later if you wish and
the underfloor heating does not need replaced. This is another advantage over
the traditional underfloor heating.
Are there any space saving benefits?
Yes. Underfloor heating film and wall or ceiling panels take up no floor or wall space in the way radiators do, so you can place furniture wherever you like.
What is the manufacturer’s warranty?
Our carbon underfloor heating film has a 20-year manufacturer's warranty, and the manufacturer expects it to last up to 50 years. Warranty periods for our other products vary and are shown on each product page.
Are there any health benefits to using infrared Heating?
Unlike traditional heating systems that heat the air and circulate it around the room, Infrared heating is a direct heat system. Dust mites and allergens are not being circulated around the room when you use infrared heating, therefore it is particularly beneficial to anyone who suffers from allergies or asthma.
An additional benefit is that the heat produced creates a dry indoor climate. This reduces the risk of mould formation, which contributes to a healthier living or work environment.
You can install infrared heat panels or infrared underfloor heating. Give us a call for some free advice 01342 645021
Do you sell infrared heaters for office use?
Yes! Many offices now use our infrared heating system to heat their offices quickly and economically. Here are some of the heaters available. Feel free to contact us for free design advice
Do you sell infrared heaters for outside patio use?
Absolutely! Our Patio Heaters are used by many restaurants and hotels. Aside from commercial use many people want to continue using their outside space in the autumn and winter. Our Patio Heaters are a great addition to any residential home.