What to Look For in an Infrared Heater for Public Buildings

Heating public buildings such as churches, village halls, community centres, museums, or civic venues brings a set of unique challenges. These spaces are often large, difficult to insulate, and only used occasionally. Many still rely on outdated systems like gas boilers or fan heaters, which are expensive to run and slow to heat. Infrared heating provides a modern alternative that delivers efficient, targeted warmth with minimal disruption to the building.

But choosing the right infrared heater isn’t as simple as picking the first model you find. In public or heritage settings, performance, zoning, safety, appearance, and ease of control all play a vital role.

This guide will walk you through what to look for in an infrared heater for public buildings, helping you make a confident, informed investment that pays off for years to come.

Why Public Spaces Require Special Heating Consideration

Unlike homes or offices, public buildings tend to have:

• High ceilings and vast, open areas

• Limited or no insulation

• Irregular usage patterns

• Accessibility requirements and fire regulations

• Heritage features that cannot be altered

Traditional convection-based heating systems work by warming air. In a large, draughty space, most of that warm air rises above head height, wasting energy and delaying comfort. Many churches and community venues wait hours for the space to warm up, only to see the heat lost as soon as doors open.

Infrared heating works differently. Instead of heating the air, it directly warms people, surfaces, and objects. This delivers faster comfort, lower energy use, and better preservation of interior materials.

1. Check the Wattage Is Right for the Building

A common mistake is installing infrared heaters that are too small or too weak for the space. In public buildings, you need enough radiant power to penetrate the volume and overcome heat loss through uninsulated materials like stone or brick.

Use this general guide:

You can also use our Wattage Calculator to determine what’s required for your layout and insulation level. Underpowered systems lead to poor results, longer heat-up times, and higher running costs.

2. Match the Heater Type to the Ceiling Height

Infrared panels designed for domestic spaces will struggle in larger venues. In buildings with tall ceilings, it’s essential to use bar-style infrared heaters with the right output and mounting angle.

Look for features like:

• Ceiling-suspended heaters that direct heat downward

• Wall-mounted models that can be tilted toward seating areas

• Larger bar heaters in the 2400W to 7800W range

• Wide heat coverage and deep radiant reach

Our Heritage Infrared Bar Heaters are made specifically for these kinds of settings.

3. Aesthetic Considerations in Sensitive Spaces

Public spaces often have visual or architectural restrictions. Churches, museums, and community halls may have listed status or heritage features that cannot be altered or hidden.

That’s why heater appearance matters. Look for units with:

• Slim, clean designs

• White, black, or neutral colour finishes

• No exposed elements or industrial-style grills

• Optional colour-matched or ceiling-blended casings

• Brackets that allow flush mounting or subtle suspension

This ensures the heating system blends into its environment and doesn’t disrupt the building’s visual integrity.

4. Verify Safety Standards and Certifications

Because public buildings are open to people of all ages and physical abilities, safety is crucial. Always select infrared heaters that are:

• CE marked and UKCA certified

• Manufactured according to EN60335 standards

• Enclosed with no exposed wires or elements

• Silent and vibration-free

• Splash-proof or IP-rated for damp areas like entryways or bathrooms

Proper mounting also ensures that units stay out of reach while providing full coverage to occupied areas.

5. Invest in Smart Controls and Zoning

One of infrared heating’s biggest advantages is zoning. You do not need to heat the entire building at once. Instead, you can target specific zones, like the pews in a church, the stage area in a hall, or one half of a multipurpose room.

This is most effective when paired with:

• Programmable thermostats

• Room-by-room zoning

• WiFi controls or app integration

• PIR sensors or timers for event-based use

• Grouping and scheduling tools for different days or seasons

Adding a smart thermostat system will reduce energy use and improve comfort.

6. Look for Low Maintenance and Long Lifespan

Traditional heating systems often require:

• Annual inspections

• Boiler servicing

• Fuel delivery

• Radiator bleeding or filter replacement

Infrared systems are much easier to manage. A quality heater will offer:

• Zero maintenance

• No filters or pumps

• No fuel delivery or gas checks

• 100,000+ hour lifespan

• Warranties from 5 to 10 years

Over time, the savings from lower service and repair costs add up significantly.

7. Choose Heaters Based on the Use Case

Not all public spaces have the same needs. Your heater choice should reflect how the building is used.

Always consider how much of the building is occupied at one time. There’s no benefit in heating unused areas.

8. Think Ahead with Scalability

Many public buildings are supported by grants, donations, or phased refurbishments. Choosing a modular heating system gives you room to grow. If your usage increases or new funding becomes available, you’ll want a system that can adapt.

Look for:

• Expandable thermostats or zone controllers

• Universal brackets for future ceiling mounts

• Standardised voltage and connector options

• Manufacturer support for larger projects

Infrared systems can be scaled more easily than gas or hydronic systems because they do not rely on central distribution infrastructure.

Summary: What Matters Most

To get the best results in a public or heritage space, the right infrared heater must do more than just warm the room. It should provide:

• Sufficient radiant power for your ceiling height

• Focused coverage to reduce waste

• Smart zoning and remote control capability

• Visual subtlety that respects the interior

• Full safety compliance

• Low lifetime costs with no maintenance

• Future scalability for new uses

Choosing the right heater ensures your building stays warm, efficient, and fit for purpose, without harming its architecture or budget.

Need Personalised Advice?

We’ve helped churches, charities, councils, and community trusts install infrared systems that save money and preserve heritage. Whether you’re retrofitting a Grade II listed chapel or upgrading a modern hall, we can help.

• Use our Wattage Calculator

• Browse the Public Building Heater Range

• Contact our technical team for layout support or a custom quote