INSIGHTS & GUIDES
Infrared Heater Installation Guide: Wall, Ceiling & Portable Heaters
Infrared heater installation can be relatively straightforward, but the correct method depends on the heater, its mounting position and its electrical requirements.
A portable infrared heater may require little more than fitting the supplied stand or feet and positioning it correctly. A fixed wall or ceiling panel requires secure mounting, while some heaters require professional electrical installation.
This guide focuses specifically on planning, positioning and installing infrared heaters. If you're still deciding which type of infrared heating you need, start with our Infrared Heating Guide or First-Time Buyer's Guide.
Quick Answer
Are Infrared Heaters Easy to Install?
Installation depends on the specific heater. Portable models can require very little setup, while fixed wall and ceiling heaters need to be securely mounted using the appropriate fixing method.
Electrical requirements also vary. Some products may use a plug connection, while others must be professionally hardwired. Always follow the installation and electrical instructions supplied for the specific heater rather than assuming the same method applies across every infrared heater.
Infrared Heater Installation at a Glance
01 Size
Establish the heating requirement before deciding how many heaters are needed.
02 Position
Plan where each heater will provide unobstructed radiant coverage.
03 Mount
Use the mounting method and suitable fixings required for the heater and surface.
04 Connect
Follow the specific electrical requirements and use a qualified electrician where required.
Before Installation: Make Sure the Heating Is Correctly Sized
Installation should not really begin with the drill. It should begin with establishing how much heating the room requires.
The required infrared heating output can vary according to the room dimensions, building type and other characteristics of the space. This is why we don't recommend selecting a heater from a generic square-metre coverage figure alone.
If you're unsure how heater output should be selected, read our What Size Infrared Heater Do I Need? guide. Once the required output is known, our How Many Infrared Panels Do I Need? guide explains how that output can be distributed across one or more heaters.
Start Here
Use our wattage calculator to estimate the required heating output for each room before planning the final number and position of heaters.
If you're still deciding between heater formats and controls, our First-Time Buyer's Guide covers the selection stage in more detail.
Planning Your Infrared Heater Installation
Once you know the approximate heating requirement, you can begin planning the physical installation.
01 / Position Identify the Best Location
Choose a position that allows the heater to face the area you want to warm. Avoid locations where furniture, curtains or other large objects unnecessarily obstruct the heater.
02 / Electrical Check the Power Requirements
Check the electrical requirements of the particular heater before installation. Fixed and higher-output models may require professional hardwiring.
03 / Fixings Check the Mounting Surface
The correct fixings depend on the wall or ceiling construction. Use suitable fixings for the mounting surface and the requirements of the heater.
Where Should You Position an Infrared Heater?
Infrared heating is radiant, so positioning matters. The heater should have a suitable path towards the area it is intended to warm rather than being unnecessarily obstructed by furniture or other objects.
The ideal position depends on the heater type, room layout and approved installation arrangement.
Most importantly, do not assume that every infrared panel can be installed on either a wall or ceiling. Some products are designed for particular mounting orientations or ceiling types.
Always check the installation instructions for the exact heater being fitted.
If both mounting options are available for the heaters you're considering, see our Ceiling vs Wall-Mounted Infrared Panels guide for the main positioning, room-layout and radiant-coverage considerations.
Wall, Ceiling or Portable Infrared Heater?
Fixed Installation
Wall-Mounted Heaters
Wall mounting can work well where there is a suitable unobstructed position facing the occupied area. Confirm that the particular heater is approved for wall mounting and follow its specified mounting and clearance requirements.
Space Saving
Ceiling-Mounted Heaters
Ceiling heating keeps wall and floor space clear, but ceiling compatibility varies between products. Check the approved ceiling construction, mounting arrangement, height and clearances for the specific heater.
Flexible Heating
Portable Heaters
Portable infrared heaters provide a flexible alternative where permanent mounting isn't required. Setup depends on the product and may involve fitting supplied feet or stands before positioning the heater.
How to Install a Wall or Ceiling-Mounted Infrared Panel
The following provides a general overview of the mounting process. The manufacturer's instructions for your particular heater always take priority, because brackets, fixings, mounting orientation and electrical requirements differ between models.
01
Confirm the Installation Position
Check the intended heater position, required clearances and mounting orientation before drilling. Make sure the location is appropriate for the particular heater.
02
Mark the Mounting Points
Where applicable, use the supplied bracket or mounting template to identify the fixing positions accurately. Use a spirit level to keep the installation aligned.
03
Use Suitable Fixings
Drill the required mounting points and use fixings appropriate for the wall or ceiling construction, such as the relevant fixing method for masonry or plasterboard.
04
Secure the Bracket
Attach the mounting bracket securely according to the heater instructions and confirm that it is correctly positioned before mounting the heater.
05
Mount the Infrared Heater
Fit the panel or heater to its bracket using the manufacturer's specified method and confirm that it is properly secured.
06
Complete the Electrical Connection
Connect the heater according to its specific electrical requirements. Where professional hardwiring is required, the electrical installation should be completed by a qualified electrician.
Electrical Installation
Don't Assume Every Infrared Heater Is Plug-In
Electrical requirements differ considerably between infrared heater types and outputs.
Depending on the particular product, installation may involve a plug connection or a fixed electrical connection.
Some higher-output heaters have specific electrical requirements and must be professionally hardwired rather than connected through a standard plug.
Similarly, heaters being connected to an external thermostat or control system need to be installed according to the requirements of that system.
Always follow the electrical requirements stated for the exact heater and control arrangement being installed. Where hardwiring or fixed electrical work is required, use a qualified electrician.
Installing a Portable Infrared Heater
Portable infrared heaters generally require less installation than permanently mounted products.
Depending on the model, setup may involve unpacking the heater, fitting any supplied feet or stand and positioning it in an appropriate location before connecting it according to the product instructions.
Maintain the required clearance around the heater and keep it away from materials or objects that could interfere with safe operation.
Portability can be useful where heating needs change during the day or where a permanent wall or ceiling installation isn't required.
Installing Ceiling-Mounted Infrared Heating
Ceiling installation can be particularly useful where wall space is limited or where keeping heating equipment away from furniture and working areas is desirable.
However, ceiling-mounted infrared heaters are not all installed in exactly the same way.
Before installation, check:
- Whether the particular heater is approved for ceiling mounting
- The approved ceiling construction or mounting arrangement
- Required mounting height
- Required clearances
- Electrical installation requirements
- Whether the heater includes built-in controls or uses an external thermostat
You can explore suitable models in our ceiling-mounted infrared heating panel range.
If you're deciding whether ceiling mounting or wall mounting is more appropriate for the room, read our ceiling vs wall-mounted infrared panels comparison.
Plan the Thermostat Before Installing the Heater
The control arrangement should be considered as part of the installation rather than after the heaters have already been fitted.
Some infrared heaters include their own built-in thermostat, while compatible non-thermostat heaters can be controlled through an external thermostat.
Where several compatible heaters are intended to operate together within one heating zone, the electrical and control arrangement should be planned accordingly.
Our guide to built-in thermostat vs non-thermostat infrared heaters explains the difference if you're still deciding between the two approaches.
For a broader explanation of why thermostatic control matters, how heating zones work and the difference between built-in and external control, read Do Infrared Heaters Need a Thermostat?
Infrared Heater Installation Safety
Correct installation is important for both heater performance and safe operation.
01
Follow the Required Clearances
Maintain the manufacturer's specified distance from surrounding surfaces, furniture, fabrics and other objects.
02
Don't Cover the Heater
Infrared heaters should not be covered or obstructed contrary to the manufacturer's instructions.
03
Use the Correct Mounting Method
Use suitable fixings for the mounting surface and follow the mounting instructions for the exact heater.
04
Check Suitability for the Environment
Do not expose a heater to moisture, weather or outdoor conditions unless the specific product is approved for that application.
05
Follow the Electrical Requirements
Where the heater requires hardwiring or fixed electrical work, use a qualified electrician.
After Installation: Check the System Before Regular Use
Once installation is complete, check that the heater is securely mounted, unobstructed and operating according to its instructions.
Where thermostatic controls are fitted, confirm that the relevant heater or heating zone responds correctly to the control system.
If the installation includes several heaters, it is also worth confirming that their positioning provides the intended heating arrangement throughout the occupied area.
What Happens After the Heater Is Installed?
Installation is only one part of designing an effective infrared heating system. Correct sizing, positioning and thermostatic control all affect how the system is used.
A heater's maximum electrical consumption while operating is determined by its wattage, while actual energy consumption over time depends on how long it operates.
Our guide to how much infrared heating costs to run in the UK explains this in more detail.
If you're still budgeting for the system itself rather than its ongoing electricity use, see how much it costs to install infrared heating in a house and the factors that can affect the complete project cost.
Infrared Heater Installation FAQs
Can I install an infrared heater myself?
It depends on the product and installation. Portable products can require very little setup, while fixed heaters require secure mounting. Any hardwiring or fixed electrical work should be completed by a qualified electrician.
Can every infrared panel be mounted on a wall or ceiling?
No. Mounting options vary between products. Always check whether the particular heater is approved for wall mounting, ceiling mounting or both before installation. If both options are available, see our ceiling vs wall-mounted infrared panels guide.
Do infrared heaters need to be hardwired?
Electrical requirements vary. Some heaters may use a plug connection, while other products or control arrangements require professional hardwiring. Follow the requirements of the specific model.
Where is the best place to install an infrared heater?
Choose a suitable approved mounting position that allows the heater to provide radiant warmth towards the intended area without unnecessary obstruction. The exact position depends on the heater, room layout and installation requirements.
How high should an infrared heater be mounted?
There is no single mounting height that applies to every infrared heater. Follow the mounting-height guidance supplied for the specific product.
How do I know what wattage infrared heater I need?
Heating requirements vary according to the room and building. Use our wattage calculator to estimate the required heating output before selecting the heater. Our infrared heater sizing guide explains the factors behind the calculation in more detail.
Should I choose a built-in thermostat before installation?
Yes, the intended control method should ideally be decided before installation. Built-in thermostat heaters and externally controlled heaters can require different installation and wiring arrangements. Read Do Infrared Heaters Need a Thermostat? for more information on control options.
Plan Before You Install
Not Sure Which Heater or Installation Method Is Right?
Start with the heating requirement, then choose the heater type, control method and installation arrangement that suits the room.
- New to infrared? Read our Infrared Heating Guide.
- Choosing a heater? Use our First-Time Buyer's Guide.
- Need the correct output? Use our wattage calculator.
- Ready to browse? Explore our infrared heating range.
- Need help with your project? Speak to an installation specialist.
Plan the Installation Around the Heater and the Room
Infrared heater installation can range from simple portable setup to a professionally wired multi-heater system.
The key is not to assume that every infrared heater is installed in the same way. Mounting orientation, ceiling or wall compatibility, clearances, electrical connection and controls can all vary between products.
Start by establishing the heating requirement, choose the correct heater and control arrangement, plan the position carefully and then follow the installation instructions supplied with the particular product.
If you're planning an installation and aren't sure where to start, use our wattage calculator or contact the Infrared Heating Supplies team for guidance.
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.