INSIGHTS & GUIDES
Best Infrared Workshop Heaters: Heating Garages & Workshops
Infrared workshop heaters can provide a practical way to heat garages, workshops and larger working spaces where high ceilings, frequent door opening or limited insulation can make conventional air heating difficult.
Instead of relying primarily on warming and circulating the surrounding air, infrared heaters provide radiant heat towards people and surrounding surfaces. That makes the technology particularly relevant to workshops where the heating requirement may be very different from a conventional room in a house.
In this guide, we compare infrared bar heaters, heating panels and portable infrared heaters, explain what to consider when sizing a workshop system and look at controls, positioning and installation.
Quick Answer
What's the Best Infrared Heater for a Workshop?
For larger workshops and garages requiring higher output, infrared bar heaters are often the most practical option because individual heaters are available at higher wattages.
Infrared panels can suit areas where a flatter, more discreet heater is preferred, while portable infrared heaters can provide greater flexibility in smaller spaces or where a permanent installation isn't required.
The right solution ultimately depends on workshop dimensions, building type, insulation, mounting position and required temperature. Start with our infrared heating wattage calculator rather than selecting a heater from floor area alone.
Why Use Infrared Heating in a Workshop or Garage?
Workshops can be challenging spaces to heat. They may have high ceilings, large doors, colder external surfaces and periods where doors are opened while people or vehicles move in and out.
Traditional convection heating relies heavily on raising the temperature of the surrounding air. Warm air rises, and changes in the air within the building can affect how that warmth is distributed.
Infrared workshop heaters work differently. They provide radiant heat towards people and surfaces rather than depending entirely on heating the surrounding air first.
If you are new to the technology, our infrared heating guide explains how radiant infrared heating works in more detail.
Benefits of Infrared Heaters for Workshops
01 / Radiant Direct Heat Delivery
Radiant heat is delivered towards people and surrounding surfaces rather than relying solely on heated air.
02 / Space Wall & Ceiling Options
Fixed heaters can make use of wall or ceiling positions instead of taking up valuable workshop floor space.
03 / Control Zoned Heating
Suitable layouts can allow different work areas or heating zones to be controlled according to how the space is used.
04 / Operation Silent Heating
Infrared panels and suitable bar heaters can provide heat without relying on fan-driven air circulation.
05 / Maintenance Simple Construction
The heaters do not depend on the fans, pumps and filters associated with some other heating systems.
06 / Choice Multiple Heater Formats
Bar heaters, flat panels and portable heaters allow the system to be matched to different workshop layouts.
What Does an Infrared Workshop Heater Cost to Run?
There is no single running-cost figure for a workshop heater. While the heater is operating, its maximum electricity consumption is determined by its wattage.
For example, a 3kW heater running continuously for one hour uses 3kWh of electricity. Actual usage across a working day depends on how the system is controlled and how long the heaters remain active.
Workshop heating costs therefore depend on factors including:
- Total installed wattage
- Your electricity tariff
- Building size and height
- Insulation and heat loss
- Required temperature
- Operating hours
- Thermostat settings and zoning
See our detailed guide to infrared heating running costs for more information.
What to Consider When Choosing a Workshop Heater
01
Required Wattage
Calculate the heating requirement from the building rather than relying on a generic square-metre coverage figure.
02
Workshop Height
Consider ceiling height and the approved mounting height of the particular heater.
03
Building Construction
An insulated modern workshop and an older draughty industrial unit can have very different heating requirements.
04
Whole-Space or Zoned Heating
Decide whether the entire workshop requires one temperature or whether different working areas need separate control.
05
Heater Position
Consider wall, ceiling or portable placement and follow the approved installation requirements for the selected heater.
06
Controls
Consider whether individual built-in control or a central external thermostat better matches the way the workshop operates.
Which Type of Infrared Heater Is Best for a Workshop?
There isn't one heater format that suits every workshop. The most useful comparison is between the output, installation and control requirements of each type.
01
Higher Output
Infrared Bar Heaters
Infrared bar heaters are particularly relevant to larger workshops, garages and commercial units where higher output is required from each heater.
Their higher individual wattages can reduce the number of heaters required compared with lower-output panels, depending on the total calculated heating requirement.
Explore our infrared bar heater range, including standard and built-in thermostat options.
02
Discreet Installation
Infrared Heating Panels
Flat infrared panels can suit workshops where a discreet wall or appropriate ceiling installation is preferred.
Multiple panels can also form part of a larger heating layout where the required wattage is distributed across the space.
Our framed infrared heating panels provide several output options for suitable workshop applications.
03
Flexible Heating
Portable Infrared Heaters
Where permanent mounting isn't required, portable infrared heaters offer a more flexible option.
They can be particularly useful for smaller garages or situations where the required heater position changes rather than remaining fixed.
Workshop Heater Comparison
| Heater Type | Useful For | Installation | Key Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infrared Bar Heater | Larger workshops, garages and higher-output requirements | Fixed wall or appropriate ceiling installation depending on model | Higher individual heater outputs |
| Infrared Panel | Distributed heating and flatter installations | Depends on the specific panel and approved mounting arrangement | May require multiple panels for larger heating loads |
| Portable Infrared Heater | Smaller garages and flexible heating requirements | Portable / freestanding as designed | Useful where permanent mounting isn't required |
How Many Infrared Heaters Does Your Workshop Need?
This should be calculated from the total heating requirement, not simply the workshop's floor area.
A large, modern insulated workshop may require a different wattage from an older building of the same dimensions. Height and building construction also matter.
Calculate Before Choosing Products
Enter your room dimensions and relevant building information into our infrared heating wattage calculator. Once you know the approximate total wattage required, you can decide how best to distribute that output between bar heaters, panels or other suitable products.
Built-In Thermostat or Central Workshop Control?
Control becomes particularly important when a workshop requires several heaters.
A system using compatible non-thermostat heaters can be connected to an external controller such as the Netmostat Smart Thermostat, allowing suitable heaters to operate together as a heating zone.
Built-in thermostat heaters provide individual control at each heater and can be useful where separate areas are used at different times.
We've covered the differences in more detail in our guide to built-in thermostat vs non-thermostat infrared heaters.
Larger Workshop or Commercial Unit?
Plan the Heating System as a Complete Project
For a larger workshop, warehouse-style unit or commercial project, heater selection should consider the entire building rather than choosing individual heaters in isolation.
This includes:
- Total required heating wattage
- Building dimensions and ceiling height
- Insulation and construction
- Heater positions
- Required zones
- Thermostat and control strategy
- Electrical installation
See our dedicated garage and workshop heating solutions page or contact our team if you need help planning a larger system.
Installing Infrared Workshop Heaters
Correct installation is important for both heater performance and electrical safety.
Always follow the installation instructions supplied with the specific heater, including approved mounting position, mounting height, clearances and electrical requirements.
Fixed higher-powered heaters may require professional electrical installation. Where hardwiring or dedicated electrical supplies are required, the work should be carried out by a qualified electrician.
In particular, RADI8 3000W bar heater models are not designed for connection using a standard UK 13A plug and require professional hardwiring to a suitable 16A fused spur.
For further guidance, see our infrared heater installation guide.
Infrared Workshop Heater FAQs
What is the best infrared heater for a large workshop?
Higher-output infrared bar heaters can be particularly useful in larger workshops because each heater can provide more wattage than many flat panel options. The final choice should still be based on the calculated heating requirement and layout of the building.
Can infrared heaters heat a garage?
Infrared heaters can be used for garage heating. The appropriate heater output and format depend on the garage dimensions, construction, insulation, required temperature and how the space is used.
Are infrared heaters suitable for high ceilings?
Infrared heating can be relevant to higher spaces because it uses radiant heat rather than depending entirely on warming and circulating air. Heater selection and mounting must still follow the requirements of the specific product.
Should I use bar heaters or panels in a workshop?
Bar heaters offer higher individual outputs and may suit larger heating requirements. Panels provide a flatter alternative and can be distributed around a suitable space. The total required wattage should be calculated before deciding which format to use.
Can several workshop heaters use one thermostat?
Compatible non-thermostat heaters can form part of a centrally controlled system. The Netmostat has a maximum direct switching load of 16A / 3680W, while appropriately designed higher combined loads can be controlled through a correctly specified contactor installed by a qualified electrician.
How do I calculate what size workshop heater I need?
Use our wattage calculator to estimate the total heating requirement from the room dimensions and building characteristics rather than relying on a fixed square-metre coverage figure.
Heat Your Workshop
Find the Right Infrared Heating Setup
Start by calculating the required output, then choose the heater format and control arrangement that best suits the way your workshop is used.
- Need higher output? Browse our infrared bar heaters.
- Prefer flat panels? Explore our framed infrared heating panels.
- Need flexibility? View our portable infrared heaters.
- Not sure how much heating you need? Use our wattage calculator.
- Planning a larger project? Visit our garage and workshop heating solutions page.
- Need system advice? Speak to our infrared heating team.
Choosing the Best Infrared Heater for Your Workshop
The best workshop heater depends on the building rather than there being one product that suits every garage or industrial space.
Infrared bar heaters can provide higher individual outputs for larger spaces, infrared panels provide a flatter heating format, and portable infrared heaters offer flexibility where permanent installation isn't required.
Whichever format you choose, calculate the heating requirement first and consider the mounting position, controls and electrical installation as part of the complete system.
Browse our full range of infrared heaters and accessories, visit our garage and workshop heating page, or contact our team for help planning your project.
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.