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Replacing Storage Heaters with Infrared Panels

Old night storage heaters are bulky, hard to control, and often run out of heat by the evening, just when you need it. Many people swap them for infrared heating panels: slim panels on the wall or ceiling that warm you and the room as soon as they switch on. This guide explains how the swap works.

Storage heaters and infrared panels side by side

Storage heater Infrared panel
When it heats Charges overnight, gives heat out next day Only when you want heat
Control Guess tonight how warm you want to be tomorrow Thermostat and timer, room by room
Warm-up Slow, and fades in the evening Feel the warmth within minutes
Size Deep and heavy About 2 to 3 cm deep, wall or ceiling
Running cost Uses cheap night units Uses standard-rate units, but only when needed
Check your tariff. On Economy 7 or a similar tariff, the night rate is cheap but the day rate is usually higher than a standard tariff. If you take out all storage heaters, ask your supplier about moving to a standard or smart tariff. If you keep some storage heaters, panels in the rooms you use most in the day still work well.

How to size the panels

Measure each room: length × width × ceiling height gives the volume in m³. Then allow:

  • 25 W per m³ for a well-insulated room
  • 30 W per m³ for a room with cavity wall insulation and double glazing
  • 35 W per m³ for solid walls or old windows

Example: a living room 4.5 m × 3.5 m with a 2.4 m ceiling is 37.8 m³. At 30 W per m³ it needs about 1,130 W, so two 600 W panels. Our heating calculator does this for you and shows running costs.

Which panels we recommend

For most homes we suggest our ECOSUN UB infrared panels: 300 W from £180.50, 600 W from £257.67 and 850 W from £297.64. If you want a slim frameless look or a wireless thermostat, see our Herschel Select XLS panels. In a bathroom, an infrared mirror heater gives you a mirror and a heater in one.

Add a thermostat to each room. Our thermostat guide shows which one suits your panels.

The swap, step by step

  1. Measure each room and size the panels (or send us the sizes for a free quote).
  2. An electrician removes the storage heaters and checks the circuits. The old storage heater supply can often be reused for the new panels.
  3. Panels go on the wall or ceiling, away from furniture, facing where you sit.
  4. Thermostats are fitted and set to your routine.

We supply the panels and help you plan. Our installation partner Standard Electrical Services can quote for fitting.

Get a free quoteTry the heating calculator

Questions? Call us on 01342 645021. We usually reply to quotes within 1 working day.

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