Short overview: Combining infrared heating with a Sunamp Thermino heat battery creates a fully electric, gas-free heating and hot water system. Infrared heaters provide efficient space heating, while the Thermino stores energy and delivers hot water on demand. Together, they offer a compact, low-maintenance solution that works particularly well with solar PV and off-peak electricity tariffs.
Why combine infrared heating with a heat battery?
As buildings move away from gas, heating systems are increasingly designed around electricity. In many cases, space heating and hot water are still treated as separate problems, leading to inefficient or oversized systems.
An infrared heating and Thermino heat battery setup addresses both needs in a coordinated way. Infrared heaters provide responsive, zoned space heating, while the Thermino heat battery handles hot water storage without the bulk and losses associated with traditional cylinders.
This approach is especially suitable for homes, flats, commercial buildings, and retrofit projects where simplicity, efficiency, and space are priorities.
How infrared heating fits into the system
Infrared heating works by warming people and surfaces directly rather than heating the air. This makes it highly effective in both residential and commercial buildings, particularly where rooms are used intermittently or have higher ceilings.
Key benefits of infrared heating within a combined system include:
- Fast response times
- Room-by-room zoning
- Lower heat loss in poorly insulated or large spaces
- Simple electrical installation with no pipework
Infrared heating pairs naturally with electric hot water solutions because both systems can be controlled precisely and scheduled to match occupancy and energy availability.
If you are new to infrared heating, you may find our guide How Do Infrared Heaters Work? useful.
What role does the Sunamp Thermino play?
The Sunamp Thermino is a heat battery that stores thermal energy using phase change material. Instead of keeping a large tank of water hot, it stores energy and releases it instantly when hot water is required.
This results in:
- Instant mains-pressure hot water
- Significantly reduced standing heat losses
- A much smaller footprint than a hot water cylinder
- Greater flexibility in electric-only systems
For a full explanation of how this technology works, see What Is a Sunamp Thermino Heat Battery and How Does It Work?.
How the combined system works in practice
In a Thermino and infrared heating system, space heating and hot water are supplied independently but powered by the same electrical infrastructure.
Infrared heaters operate only when and where heat is required, while the Thermino charges during off-peak periods or when surplus renewable electricity is available. This stored energy is then used to deliver hot water on demand.
Because neither system relies on stored hot air or large volumes of hot water, overall efficiency is improved and wasted energy is reduced.
Working with solar PV and off-peak tariffs
One of the biggest advantages of combining infrared heating with a Sunamp Thermino is compatibility with solar PV and time-of-use electricity tariffs.
Solar-generated electricity can be used to:
- Power infrared heaters during daylight hours
- Charge the Thermino heat battery for later hot water use
Off-peak tariffs can be used to charge the heat battery overnight, reducing hot water costs without affecting comfort.
This strategy allows buildings to maximise self-consumption of renewable energy and reduce reliance on peak-rate electricity.
You can explore this approach further on Infrared Heating and Solar PV.
Who is this type of system best suited for?
A combined infrared heating and Thermino system is well suited to a wide range of buildings, including:
- Homes and flats without gas supply
- New-build electric-only properties
- Retrofit projects where space is limited
- Commercial and public buildings
- Buildings aiming to reduce carbon emissions
It is particularly effective where heating demand varies between rooms or over time.
If you are assessing heating options for a gas-free building, our guide Is Infrared Heating a Good Option for Buildings Without Gas Supply? provides additional context.
System sizing and design considerations
Correct system design is essential to ensure performance and comfort. For infrared heating, this includes appropriate wattage calculations, heater placement, and zoning strategy.
For hot water, the Thermino unit should be sized based on expected demand rather than floor area.
Using professional guidance during specification helps ensure both systems work together efficiently.
Benefits compared to traditional heating and hot water systems
Compared to gas boilers and hot water cylinders, a combined infrared and Thermino system offers:
- No combustion or flues
- Minimal maintenance requirements
- Improved space efficiency
- Predictable operating costs
- Compatibility with renewable electricity
This makes it a future-ready solution as building regulations and energy pricing continue to evolve.
Next steps
If you are planning a gas-free heating and hot water system, you can explore the relevant products below:
Our team can also help with system design and product selection for your specific building.
