Infrared Heating for High Ceilings: What You Need to Know

Heating buildings with high ceilings has always been a challenge. Whether it’s a church, sports hall, community centre, or event venue, traditional heating systems often struggle to provide comfort without wasting huge amounts of energy. The reason is simple: warm air rises.

Infrared heating offers a practical, energy-efficient alternative — one that delivers warmth exactly where it’s needed, without trying to heat the entire vertical volume of air.

If you're dealing with high ceilings, here's what you need to understand about how infrared performs, where it excels, and how to get the most from your system.

Why High Ceilings Are a Heating Nightmare

Most conventional heating systems work by convection. That means heating air, which then circulates around the space. In tall buildings with ceilings 4 metres or higher, this quickly becomes inefficient.

Here’s why:

• Heated air rises and collects at ceiling level

• Occupants remain cold at floor level

• Energy is wasted heating the upper void

• Large areas take hours to reach comfort temperature

• Air movement can stir up dust, which is especially problematic in public spaces

The result? High costs, long warm-up times, and uncomfortable users — especially in buildings used intermittently or only during certain hours.

The Infrared Solution: Direct, Focused Heat

Infrared heating works completely differently. Instead of heating air, it emits radiant energy that warms people, objects, and surfaces directly. You feel the heat instantly, just like standing in sunlight.

In spaces with high ceilings, this offers several major advantages:

• No energy lost to the ceiling void

• Immediate warmth at floor level

• Zoning is easy — only heat the areas in use

• No air movement — better for comfort and air quality

• Silent and maintenance-free operation

This makes infrared perfect for tall spaces with occasional use — such as churches, gyms, galleries, barns, or industrial workshops.

Placement is Key: How to Heat a Large Vertical Space

To get the most from infrared in high-ceiling settings, proper installation is essential. The goal is to angle or suspend the heaters to radiate warmth downward and across occupied areas.

Here are the most common configurations:

• Ceiling-suspended bar heaters over pews or seating areas

• Wall-mounted panels angled downward to create warmth zones

• High-power bar heaters spaced strategically for wide coverage

• Grouped zoning with smart thermostats for segmented control

This strategic placement means you can warm a 20-foot space efficiently — without needing to flood it with heated air.

Choosing the Right Infrared Heater for Tall Ceilings

Not all infrared units are built for height. You’ll need higher wattage models with a deeper radiant reach.

We recommend:

• 4800W Heritage Infrared Bar Heater - for mid-height spaces up to 4m

• 7800W Heritage Infrared Heater - for large halls, churches, and sports spaces with ceilings above 5m
  

Pairing these with WiFi controls allows for easy pre-heating before events or services.

Real-Life Use Cases

• Churches with vaulted ceilings - heat only the nave or altar area, not the entire structure

• Village halls - maintain comfort for local events or weekly activities without running a system all day

• School sports halls - deliver warmth for classes without creating stuffy air

• Historic barns and converted spaces - enjoy fast comfort with zero impact on original architecture

Summary: Don’t Let Ceiling Height Cost You Comfort

Infrared heating isn’t just effective in high-ceiling environments, it’s often the only system that makes sense.

With rapid warmth, no condensation, and focused coverage, it reduces running costs while improving user comfort. And with no pipes or ducting, it keeps your space visually clean and architecturally intact.

If you're struggling with heating in a tall space:

• Explore our collection of high-power infrared heaters

• Contact us for tailored layout and placement advice