Heating with electricity through infrared rays

When building a house, there is always the question of the right heating system. Here there are many variants that need to be considered, and infrared heating is one of them. The model shows many advantages that adapt well to different living situations. But under what conditions is the installation of infrared heating worthwhile and how exactly does heating with electricity actually work?

Pleasant and healthy heat through infrared rays

The radiation of the infrared heating works differently than other heating systems, because the radiation does not warm the air in the room, but directly the body. This includes not only the human body, but also walls, ceilings or floors and even the furniture. The principle can be compared to sunbathing in winter. Due to this technique, the heat is already perceived by the body as pleasantly warm at low temperatures. This means that only low temperatures are necessary, thus saving electricity and heating costs. Another advantage of infrared heating is that the rooms do not have to be preheated for a long time so that the body is pleasantly warm. This provides comfortable warmth and thus increases the well-being and health.

Installing infrared heating – low installation work & low costs

The installation for an infrared heater is very simple. All that is needed are the heating elements in the room and also a power socket nearby. Other heating systems require pipes that need to be laid throughout the house, as well as boilers, hot water tanks and the radiators that need to be connected. This incurs installation and material costs and labour wages for tradesmen. With infrared heating, depending on the model (wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted, floor-standing or suspended), no or only minimal installation work is required. The costs for installation are therefore significantly lower than the costs for the installation of other heating systems.

The durability of infrared heaters also compares favorably to other heating systems. Most heating systems require regular maintenance to maintain performance. This incurs not inconsiderable costs for repair and maintenance, which should be included in long-term planning. Infrared heating is generally considered to be very cost effective in this area. It has a long life and does not require maintenance, as it has a very simple structure and the few components are not susceptible to damage.

Installing infrared heating as a supplement to other heating systems

Especially in old buildings, infrared heating offers a good addition to already existing heating systems. When expanding within an already existing heating system, it is usually difficult to lay new pipes, as this is time-consuming and expensive. An alternative is offered here by infrared heating, which can heat additional rooms in combination with the original heating system, and this simply at the socket. The low installation effort and the low initial costs attract builders and property owners. The low maintenance costs compensate for the relatively high operating costs and speak for infrared heating. But also with the occasional heating of rooms the infrared heating is a good alternative. The short time for preheating and the individual use of the system is advantageous for heating certain rooms only rarely or on certain occasions.

Installing infrared heating as the sole heating system

In new construction, heating alone with infrared heating is not a problem. The modern insulation that is installed during construction provides sufficient heat in the rooms. In old buildings, the whole thing looks a little different. Here the infrared heating is worthwhile as a sole heating system only under certain conditions, so that the heat is not lost, the building must have a certain insulation. The better the insulation of the building, the more lucrative the use of infrared heating. When renovating and refurbishing an old building, it is no problem to strengthen the insulation and install an infrared heating system.

Tip! Heating system in comparison

Save up to 55% costs (heat energy)? Tip! Not only already, but practically? Save energy with the heating system in your property. Use the next time for renovation or your upcoming new building. Here you will find our guide heating systems: solar, oil, gas, heat pump, pellets in comparison and as extra, state subsidies. Continue reading here:

• Heating system: comparison

Advantages and disadvantages at a glance

Advantages of infrared heating

Infrared heating is a worthwhile alternative to other conventional heating systems and offers a number of advantages for both old and new buildings.

Rapid feeling of warmth throughout the room despite low temperatures

Infrared heating warms rooms not through the air, but by infrared rays directly warming the body. The body stores this heat and carries it around with it, whereby the heat is perceived as the same in the entire room. Due to the heat storage in the body, low room temperatures are sufficient to create pleasant comfortable temperatures.

Healthy indoor climate for allergy sufferers

Unlike conventional heating systems, infrared heating does not stir up dust, which keeps the dust concentration in the air low. For dust, animal hair but also pollen allergy sufferers, the air is easier to breathe and also asthmatics can breathe easier. A spreading of allergy substances in the room is avoided, which leads to less dust spreading and thus cleaner air.

Positive effect on the body

The infrared heater warms the body through radiant heat from IR-A infrared radiation. This radiation penetrates a few millimetres into our skin and thus increases the tissue temperature. We feel a pleasant warmth through this technique, comparable to sunbathing. The increased tissue temperature dilates the blood vessels and promotes blood circulation. Comparable to a red light treatment, the infrared rays can have a tension-relieving effect and thus be beneficial to health in the case of muscle complaints or back pain.

Variable and advantageous costs

The purchase costs for an infrared heater are very low. Only the heating panels are needed and a power outlet. Compared to other heating systems where many materials and installation costs are incurred, the infrared heating is probably the cheapest in the purchase.

When using an infrared heater, heating costs are only incurred when heating is actually taking place, i.e. only when it is switched on. The less heat is needed, the lower the costs are.

Since the body already feels the low radiant heat of the infrared rays as pleasant and stores them, the heater does not have to run at high temperatures like other models to create a comfortable indoor climate. The operating costs can therefore be kept as low as possible.

Since the infrared heating consists of few and simple components that are not susceptible to malfunctions, the infrared heating has a long life and low maintenance costs.

Disadvantages of infrared heating

But infrared heating also has some disadvantages that property owners and builders need to consider before making the purchase.

High costs for electricity and operating costs

Heating with electricity is comparatively rather expensive. Electricity prices fluctuate constantly, which means that the operating costs for infrared heating also vary. To keep electricity costs as low as possible, the property should have good insulation so that as little heat as possible is lost to the outside.

Carbon dioxide emissions and environmental friendliness

Heating with electricity is not environmentally friendly. It even produces higher carbon dioxide emissions than conventional heating systems. By combining it with green electricity or a photovoltaic system, the eco-balance can be improved, but even then there is still a high environmental impact.

Room temperature difficult to determine

The room temperature is difficult to measure because it is perceived by our own body as warmer than it actually is. The temperature of the room is therefore always somewhat lower than our sensation. Thus, the temperature of the room can be determined but not the temperature we feel.

Heating guide: types, prices & comparison

Heating & Types – The topic of heating is not only interesting for builders, but also for property owners. After all, heaters are not only necessary in a property, they are also required by law. Which types of heating are there, how do they have to be maintained and are there legal subsidies for the construction of certain types of heating or do the costs have to be paid completely by the owner? Especially when building a house or renovating and modernising, the heating system plays a decisive role, because a large part of the later running costs depend on it, for you or for your tenants.

When deciding on a heating system, a number of things need to be considered, as there are major differences. Depending on the property, it must be decided individually which system is best suited to efficiently heat the entire property. The systems differ not only in environmental friendliness, but also in efficiency and price. Solar, oil, gas, heat pump, pellets:

• Heating: Comparison & Costs

Asbestos at a glance: Health-endangering building material

• Mineral fibre
• Poses a high health risk
• Formerly installed in wall or ceiling cladding
• Strict safety precautions for shoring today
• High costs due to high effort
• Property must not be used or occupied when working with asbestos

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Efficient heating with environmental energy – the heat pump makes it possible

The heat pump is one of the newest renewable energies that can be used to heat buildings. In addition to solar energy and the environmentally friendly alternatives with biogas and bio fuel oil, the heat pump offers a CO2-neutral option for builders and property owners.

Functionality – how the heat pump works

The heat pump uses the thermal energies already stored in the environment to convert them into usable heat for heating. The special thing about this technology is that nothing is burned here, as with wood, gas or oil heating systems, but a technical process converts the thermal energies into heat. The principle is the same as in a refrigerator. Thermal energy with low temperatures are to be raised to a higher level. With the heat pump it works only the other way round. The environmental heat can therefore not only be used in the heating system, but also to provide hot water for the household.

The energy sources of the heat pump – air, earth & water

The heat pump uses different energy sources to generate heat. The brine-to-water heat pump uses the earth as an energy source, the water-to-water heat pump uses the water as an energy source and the air-to-water heat pump uses the air as an energy source. Which heat pump is best for your property depends on a variety of factors, but especially on the location of the property.

The air-to-water heat pump – thermal energy from the air

The energy source air is the easiest to use by the heat pump. The heat pump works with a simple system that sucks in and blows out the air. For this purpose, the heat pump uses the outside air, which is always available and is therefore one of the renewable energies. But even if the heat pump works with outside air, it can be placed inside the house. It then uses ducts to draw in air from outside. But it is also possible to place the system outside the property. There is no need for ducts as the system directly uses the air that is in the surrounding area. However, it is important with a heat pump that works with air that it is always kept free of frost in winter. Since the system has to work with air temperatures below zero, it becomes increasingly difficult to convert the cold air into usable heat. The colder the air, the more difficult the conversion. To keep the efficiency of the heat pump as high as possible, regularly clear it of frost and make sure it is properly maintained.

The brine-to-water heat pump – Earth as an energy source

Thermal energy is also stored in the ground, which the brine-to-water heat pump uses to generate heat for heating. For this purpose, pipes are installed in the ground in which a mixture of water and antifreeze circulates. The liquid, also called brine, extracts heat from the earth and transports it to the heat pump, which feeds it into the heating system. Each metre of ground provides thermal energy of approximately 50 watts that the brine fluid can extract from it. For a normal building, an average of around 150 metres of depth is required, which can, however, be divided into several boreholes. Depending on the individual circumstances of the property, deep boreholes or shallow collectors can be installed. The deep boreholes go up to 100 metres deep into the ground and therefore require special permits and are also not permitted in every area. With this method, plastic pipes (probes) are then installed in the ground.

If this variant is technically or legally not possible, the variant of flat plate collectors can be used. Here, similar to underfloor heating, pipes are laid at a depth of 1.50 m, which can extract 25 watts per square metre. A modern single-family house needs about 350 square meters of pipes to provide heating. The big advantage over the air-water heat pump is that the heat can be extracted all year round without any loss. This fact increases the efficiency of the heat pump and thus reduces the electricity costs incurred. See also: money guide.

The water-to-water heat pump – thermal energy in groundwater

Thermal energy can also be found in the groundwater, which can be used to generate heat. The water-to-water heat pump has a relatively simple mode of operation, as it has two wells that transport the groundwater to the water-to-water heat pump and back again. The wells must be installed in the direction of flow of the groundwater with a minimum distance to prevent the groundwater, which has already cooled down, from entering the heater again.

However, before installing a water-to-water heat pump, the groundwater must be tested. Good water quality is a prerequisite for installation, because chemical ingredients can put a great strain on the heat exchanger and thus limit efficiency enormously. In addition, the use of groundwater in a water-to-water heat pump is subject to approval and is not permitted everywhere. However, the thermal energy that can be used from groundwater is the most constant throughout the year, as the temperatures in the groundwater are not subject to large fluctuations. The water-to-water heat pump is one of the most effective variants of the heat pump.

The cost of a heat pump – installation, operation and energy source

The costs involved in installing a heat pump are generally divided into three areas. The cost of the energy source, i.e. the extraction of thermal energy from the air, earth or water, the cost of the system itself and the cost of operation and maintenance. Depending on which system is suitable for your property, the costs differ depending on the model and the system.

Costs for the extraction of environmental energy from air, earth or water

The choice of thermal energy from which the heat is to be extracted decisively determines the costs. An air-source heat pump, for example, requires hardly any additional technology, whereas with a brine heat pump, the drilling and additional materials must also be paid for. The cost of one metre of deep drilling is around 60 to 80 euros, while one square metre of surface collector costs 10 to 20 euros. The water heat pump also requires costs for the drilling, because the two wells must be laid to the groundwater and back. The costs here amount to about 5000-6000 euros for both wells. Depending upon condition of the environment and situation of the real estate the prices can deviate however also. An exact offer can only be made by a specialist.

Costs for the heat pump itself

The heat pump itself consists of the same components, regardless of the energy source itself, and can be combined with all three options. Depending on the size, installation costs range from 8000 to 12000 euros. However, the installation of a heat pump can be subsidised by various grants. Again, depending on the size required and individual circumstances of the location, prices may vary. For precise prices, request a quote from a specialist company.

Costs for the operation of the heat pump

All heat pumps operate electrically and require electricity to convert the thermal energy into heat. However, the level of these operating costs is highly variable. They depend on the selected energy source, the energy status of the property and the type of heat transfer to the various rooms. It is therefore not possible to give an exact price here and it must be calculated individually for each property.