Infrared Heater Maintenance & Troubleshooting
Simple checks and maintenance guidance for infrared wall panels, ceiling panels, mirror heaters, bar heaters and freestanding infrared heaters.
Isolate the electrical supply and allow the heater to cool completely. Do not open, dismantle or modify the heater. Internal electrical inspection or repair should only be undertaken by an appropriately qualified person.
Infrared heaters require very little maintenance
Many infrared panel heaters contain no fans, pumps, filters or circulating fluids. Routine care is therefore mainly about keeping the heater clean, unobstructed and checking visible electrical components for damage.
Keep it clean
Once the heater is isolated and cool, wipe accessible surfaces using a soft, dry or lightly damp lint-free cloth.
- Avoid abrasive cleaners
- Do not spray liquid directly onto the heater
- Do not immerse any part in water
Check cables
Periodically inspect visible power cables, plugs and accessible connections for signs of damage, wear or excessive strain.
- Stop using damaged equipment
- Do not attempt makeshift cable repairs
Keep it unobstructed
Do not cover the heater or position objects against its heated surface. Maintain the clearances specified for your particular heater.
- Keep curtains clear
- Do not cover with clothing or towels
- Follow mounting clearances
Check the controls
If your heater uses a thermostat, remote control or smart control, periodically confirm that the controls are operating correctly.
- Check remote batteries
- Confirm temperature settings
- Check schedules where applicable
Common infrared heater problems
Start with the basic checks below. Exact controls and reset procedures vary between heater models, so always refer to the instructions supplied with your product where applicable.
- Check that the socket, isolator or fused spur is switched on.
- For a plug-in heater, confirm that the socket is providing power.
- Check whether a thermostat or controller is calling for heat.
- Set the required temperature above the current room temperature for testing.
- For smart models, check that the heater/controller has power even if the app shows it as offline.
First confirm that the heater is warming normally. If it is producing heat but the room cannot reach the required temperature, the issue may relate to system sizing, positioning, building heat loss or controls.
- Check that sufficient wattage has been installed for the room.
- Check that the heater is not obstructed by furniture or other objects.
- Confirm thermostat settings and schedules.
- Consider insulation, glazing, draughts and ceiling height.
- Allow additional warm-up time where the building fabric is initially very cold.
You can compare the installed output with our wattage calculator.
A heater stopping does not necessarily indicate a fault. A thermostat may have reached its set temperature, a schedule may have ended, or a protective device may have operated.
- Check the thermostat set temperature.
- Check any programmed schedule or timer.
- Check whether the heater has been covered or obstructed.
- Isolate the heater and allow it to cool before further inspection.
- If it repeatedly stops unexpectedly, contact our technical team.
Where a freestanding model is fitted with tip-over protection, tilting or knocking the heater can interrupt operation as a safety feature.
- Place the heater upright.
- Use it only on a stable, suitable surface.
- Check the model instructions before restarting.
Some heaters can make occasional light sounds as materials expand and contract during heating and cooling. This can occur during normal operation.
If the sound is unusually loud, persistent, accompanied by an electrical smell, visible damage or abnormal operation, isolate the heater and contact us.
Surface temperatures vary substantially between infrared heater types. A wall panel, ceiling panel and high-output bar heater are not designed to operate at the same surface temperature.
Do not judge whether a heater is faulty by comparing its surface temperature with a different product type. If you believe your heater is not operating correctly, contact our team with the product model and order details.
Wi-Fi, remote & thermostat troubleshooting
If the heater itself has power but a remote, thermostat or smart function is not responding, check the control setup before assuming that the heater has developed a fault.
Pairing procedures differ between products, so use the instructions supplied with your specific heater or controller when carrying out a reset or re-pairing procedure.
Storage & periods of non-use
- Keep the heater in a clean, dry environment.
- Do not place heavy objects on the heater.
- Protect cables and controls from damage.
- Follow the product instructions regarding isolation during extended periods of non-use.
- Inspect the heater before returning it to service after storage.
When should you stop using the heater?
- The heater repeatedly trips electrical protection.
- A cable, plug or electrical connection is visibly damaged.
- There is an unusual electrical or burning smell.
- The heater shows visible physical damage.
- It repeatedly shuts down unexpectedly.
- You suspect an internal electrical fault.
Let us help identify the problem.
If the checks above haven't solved the issue, contact our technical team. Where possible, include your order number, heater model or SKU and a clear description of what is happening so we can help diagnose the issue.
