Infrared Heating for Sports Halls and Leisure Centres
Sports halls and leisure centres present one of the biggest challenges when it comes to energy-efficient heating. These large, open spaces often feature extremely high ceilings, vast volumes of air, and intermittent usage throughout the day. As a result, conventional heating systems are often slow, costly and ineffective, leaving large sections of the space under-heated or entirely unused during colder months.
With traditional gas and convection heating, warm air rises and quickly escapes through structural gaps, doors or windows — especially as these spaces are frequently accessed by staff, students or the public. This makes it incredibly difficult to maintain consistent warmth. Heating systems are often left running long before the space is used, consuming unnecessary energy and causing bills to soar.
Infrared heating offers a smarter, more targeted approach. Rather than trying to heat all the air within the building, infrared technology works by warming people, equipment, walls and flooring directly. This allows facility managers to focus warmth precisely where it’s needed — such as specific training zones or spectator seating areas — without wasting heat or energy in empty corners or the upper ceiling void.
Our range of infrared bar heaters are ideal for sports halls, as they provide powerful radiant heat that can reach floor level quickly even from high mounting positions. These units are perfect for installing along side walls or ceiling beams, keeping them well out of reach of users while delivering targeted warmth to athletes, guests or fitness classes below.
For smaller leisure rooms, yoga studios or reception areas, our panel heaters offer slimline, silent performance with easy wall or ceiling installation. Combined with smart controls and zoning systems, these solutions allow you to customise usage per area and drastically reduce running costs.
Infrared heating also eliminates the dryness, noise and dust circulation often associated with conventional heating systems. It creates a fresh, healthy environment with no moving parts, no filters to clean and no fan noise — making it ideal for both active zones and spectating lounges. If you're unsure which setup is best for your facility, our guide on built-in vs non-thermostat heaters can help you make the right choice.
Recommended Products for Infrared Heating for Sports halls and Leisure centres
Why Choose Infrared Heating Panels?
Energy Efficient
Save up to 60% on your heating bills compared to traditional heating methods.
Health
Reduces dust circulation and improves air quality — great for allergies.
Enhanced Comfort
Even heat distribution with no cold spots, just warm, balanced spaces.
Zoned Heating
Heat only the rooms you use, increasing efficiency and reducing waste.
Quick Instant Heat
Feel warmth almost immediately — perfect for cold mornings and rooms.
Low Maintenance
No moving parts means less to go wrong. Just install and enjoy.
Silent Operation
No fans or noise. Enjoy uninterrupted warmth in peace and quiet.
Damp & Mould Prevention
Reduces condensation and moisture by heating surfaces evenly.
Why Infrared Heating is Ideal for Sports Halls and Leisure Centres
- Instant Heat When You Need It: Infrared heaters warm up quickly and radiate heat directly, which makes them perfect for irregularly used spaces like sports halls or gymnasiums. There's no need to preheat the entire room for hours — just switch them on before activity begins.
- Targeted Heating Zones: Because infrared warms objects and not air, you can focus the heat specifically in areas of use — such as training zones, court edges or spectator seating — instead of heating unused airspace.
- Flexible Installation: Our infrared bar heaters can be mounted high on ceilings or walls to keep them safely out of the way while still delivering effective warmth. This is particularly useful in spaces with high ceilings and fast-paced activity.
- Better Energy Use: Unlike fan or convection heaters, infrared does not require air circulation to be effective. This reduces wasted energy from hot air rising or escaping, offering up to 60% lower running costs in large buildings.
- Low Maintenance: With no moving parts and no ongoing servicing requirements, infrared systems reduce maintenance demands for busy facilities and allow teams to focus on delivering sports and leisure services without technical interruptions.
- Comfort for Users and Spectators: Whether it's for athletes training on court or guests watching from the sidelines, infrared offers a comfortable warmth that doesn't create stuffy air or cold draughts — supporting an ideal atmosphere for everyone.
- Sustainable and Eco-Friendly: When paired with renewable electricity sources, infrared becomes one of the most environmentally responsible heating solutions available — helping you align with long-term sustainability goals.
- Supports Zoned Heating Control: Our systems integrate with smart thermostats and control panels so different areas of the building can be heated only when needed, reducing waste and optimising efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will infrared heat large spaces like a gym or sports hall?
Yes. Our bar heaters are designed for high-ceiling and large open spaces. When installed correctly, they effectively warm both users and surfaces without wasting energy.
Can I heat only parts of the hall?
Absolutely. Infrared heating is ideal for zoning. You can choose to warm only the areas being used — such as class zones or audience sections — and leave the rest unheated.
Is infrared heating expensive to run in large buildings?
Not at all. It’s actually cheaper than traditional systems. You’ll save on both energy usage and preheat time, and there’s no heat loss from air circulation. Many facilities report savings of up to 60%.
Does infrared cause stuffy air or dust movement?
No. Because it works through radiant waves rather than blowing air, there is no dust circulation or humidity loss, making it ideal for healthy indoor spaces.
Speak to Our Heating Experts Today
If you require any further information or have any questions, then please contact us and speak to one of our specialist technical team who will be happy to help.
Call us on 01204 520544 or email us at info@infraredheatingsupplies.com.