INSIGHTS & GUIDES
5 Best Places to Install Infrared Heating Panels in Your Home
Infrared heating panels can work in almost any room of the home, but where you install them matters. The right position can improve radiant coverage, free up valuable floor space and help the heating system work around how each room is actually used.
Bedrooms, living rooms, bathrooms, home offices and even garages or workshops can all be good candidates – but each space has different requirements for heater output, positioning and controls.
If you're deciding between different panel styles first, see What's the difference between Framed Panels and Frameless Panels?
Quick Answer
Where is the best place to put an infrared heating panel?
The best position depends on the room and the panel being installed. Infrared heaters provide radiant heat, so you want good coverage of the occupied part of the room without large objects obstructing the heater.
Wall and ceiling positions can both work well where the particular panel is designed for that mounting method. Correct output is just as important as position: even a perfectly positioned panel will struggle if it is undersized for the room.
01
Bedroom
02
Living Room
03
Bathroom
04
Home Office
05
Garage / Workshop
Why panel position matters with infrared heating
Many conventional heating systems warm a room primarily by heating the surrounding air and creating convection currents.
Infrared heating works differently. The panel emits radiant energy that travels outwards from the heater and is absorbed by people and surfaces within its field of radiation.
This means heater positioning matters. Large furniture or unsuitable placement can restrict radiant coverage, while a well-positioned heater can direct warmth towards the part of the room where it is most useful.
You can learn more about this process in our infrared heating guide.
Space
Free Up Floor Space
Fixed wall and ceiling panels avoid occupying the floor area required by freestanding heaters.
Comfort
Radiant Warmth
Infrared panels provide radiant heat towards people and surrounding surfaces rather than relying solely on heating room air.
Control
Room-by-Room Heating
Suitable thermostatic controls allow different rooms or heating zones to follow their own temperature and schedule.
01
Bedrooms
Bedrooms can be particularly well suited to low-profile infrared panels because the heater does not need to occupy valuable floor space.
A suitable fixed panel can provide radiant warmth while operating silently, which is useful in a room where noise from fans or mechanical heating equipment would be undesirable.
Wall-mounted panels can integrate neatly into the room, while compatible ceiling-mounted panels provide another option where usable wall space is limited.
Placement Tip
Avoid positioning a wall panel where its radiant path will be substantially blocked by a wardrobe or other large furniture. For bedrooms used overnight, choose appropriate thermostatic controls and follow the manufacturer's installation and operating instructions.
02
Living Rooms
Living rooms are another natural location for infrared heating because they tend to be occupied for longer periods and often have a clear seating area where comfort matters most.
Infrared panels can be incorporated into the room without taking up usable floor space, and the range of framed, frameless, glass and other finishes allows the heater to become part of the interior rather than simply another appliance.
The important part is selecting enough heater output for the room and positioning the panel so that radiant coverage is not unnecessarily obstructed.
Infrared heating can therefore be considered as part of the room design rather than something that has to dominate it. If you're updating the wider space, you may also find our home decor guide useful.
Placement Tip
Consider the main seating area when planning the heater position. Avoid hiding a wall panel behind large furniture, curtains or other obstructions, and use more than one heater where the room's size or shape requires broader coverage.
03
Bathrooms
Bathrooms can be an excellent place for infrared heating, but they require more careful product selection than a standard living space.
The heater must be suitable for the bathroom environment and installed in an appropriate location in accordance with its electrical and installation requirements.
One advantage is the range of panel formats available. A suitable mirror infrared heater can combine room heating with a functional bathroom mirror, while other bathroom-compatible panels can provide a clean, low-profile installation.
Explore our mirror and glass panels when planning a bathroom installation.
Bathroom Installation
Do not assume that every infrared panel is suitable for every bathroom position. Product suitability, electrical zones, IP protection where applicable and installation requirements need to be checked for the specific heater.
04
Home Offices
A home office is a particularly interesting application because the room may be occupied for long working periods while the rest of the house is empty.
An independently controlled infrared heater can allow the office to operate as its own heating zone rather than automatically heating every room to the same schedule.
This is where zoning can potentially reduce unnecessary energy use: the saving comes from heating according to occupancy and demand, not because an infrared panel somehow produces more heat from each unit of electricity than another resistance heater.
If you're planning a dedicated workspace, see our infrared heating for offices guide.
Placement Tip
Think about where the desk and main working position will be before choosing the heater location. A properly sized panel and suitable thermostat can then control the office independently from other areas of the home.
05
Garages and Workshops
Garages and workshops can be challenging to heat because they may have greater heat loss, large doors, less insulation or intermittent occupancy.
Radiant heating can be useful in these spaces because warmth can be directed towards occupied working areas rather than relying solely on warming the complete volume of air first.
Depending on the size, ceiling height and heat requirement, a higher-output infrared bar heater may be more appropriate than a domestic panel.
See our dedicated garage and workshop heating guidance for more information.
Placement Tip
Garages and workshops should be assessed individually. Ceiling height, insulation, room volume, door openings and the location of the main working area can all influence heater type, output and mounting position.
How do you choose the right size infrared panel?
Position is only half of the equation. The heater also needs enough output for the room.
Avoid choosing an infrared panel from floor area alone. Heating demand varies according to factors such as:
- Room dimensions
- Ceiling height
- Building age
- Insulation level
- External walls
- Windows and glazing
- Room type and usage
This is why a 400W panel, for example, should not simply be advertised as heating a fixed number of square metres in every property.
Calculate Before You Buy
Use our infrared heating wattage calculator to estimate the required output for each room before deciding how many panels you need.
Is a wall or ceiling better for an infrared panel?
Both can be effective, provided the particular heater is designed and approved for the chosen mounting method.
Wall mounting can work well where there is clear wall space with good radiant coverage of the room. Ceiling mounting can free up wall space and provide a clear path into the occupied area below.
However, not every infrared panel can be mounted in both positions. Always follow the installation requirements for the specific product.
Will putting infrared panels in individual rooms save money?
It can in the right circumstances, but the reason needs to be understood correctly.
Infrared panels are direct electric heaters. Their electricity consumption is determined by their wattage and how long they operate.
Where savings can potentially arise is through zoning and control. If only the home office is occupied during the day, for example, independently heating that room rather than unnecessarily heating unused rooms may reduce total heating demand.
That does not mean infrared is automatically cheaper than gas central heating or a heat pump. Electricity tariffs, building heat loss, controls and the heating system being compared all matter.
For a fuller explanation, see our guide to infrared heating running costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an infrared heating panel take to warm a room?
There is no universal 10 or 15-minute answer. You may feel radiant warmth before the whole room reaches its target temperature, but actual warm-up time depends on heater output, room size, starting temperature, insulation, heat loss and the thermal mass of surrounding surfaces.
Can infrared heating panels be installed on ceilings or walls?
Many infrared panels are designed for wall or ceiling installation, but mounting options vary by product. Some models are designed only for particular installation formats, so always check the requirements for the specific heater.
Are infrared heating panels safe for pets and children?
Infrared heating can be used safely in homes when the correct heater is properly installed and operated according to the manufacturer's instructions. Panel surfaces can become hot, so positioning is important. Fixed heaters should be installed at a suitable height and location, particularly where young children or pets are present.
You can read more in our guide: infrared heating panels are safe when appropriately specified, installed and used.
What maintenance does an infrared heating panel need?
Fixed infrared panels generally have relatively low maintenance requirements because many have no fans, pumps or other moving mechanical components. Keep the heater unobstructed, follow the manufacturer's cleaning instructions and have any electrical fault or damage appropriately investigated.
Do infrared panels use less electricity than other electric heaters?
Infrared panels should not be described as automatically using less electricity than other direct electric resistance heaters. A 600W infrared panel operating continuously for one hour consumes 0.6kWh of electricity.
The potential advantage comes from how radiant heating, zoning and thermostatic control are used within the property. Actual consumption therefore depends on the building, heater sizing, temperature settings and operating time.
Can I put furniture in front of an infrared panel?
Large furniture directly in front of a wall-mounted infrared panel can obstruct radiant coverage. Heater positioning should provide a reasonably clear path towards the area you want to heat while also meeting the manufacturer's required clearances.
Plan Your Infrared Heating
Find the Right Panels for Every Room
Start with the room's heating requirement, then choose the panel style, wattage and position that best suits the space.
- Calculate the output: Use our infrared heating wattage calculator.
- Explore the full range: Browse our infrared heating collections.
- Planning a home office? See our office heating solutions.
- Heating a garage or workshop? Explore our garage and workshop heating guide.
Where Should You Put Infrared Heating Panels? The Bottom Line
Bedrooms, living rooms, bathrooms, home offices and garages or workshops can all be excellent locations for infrared heating – but there is no single panel position or wattage that works for every room.
The best installation combines correct heater sizing, good radiant coverage, suitable positioning and appropriate thermostatic control.
Wall and ceiling mounting also give infrared heating a practical design advantage by freeing up floor space and allowing heaters to be integrated more discreetly into the room.
Before choosing a panel, calculate what the room actually requires and then select a heater designed for that particular location and mounting method.
NEED HELP WITH YOUR PROJECT?
Find the right infrared heating setup for your space.
Use our wattage calculator to estimate your heating requirement, or speak to our team for product and project guidance.