Products

Testimonials from users of infrared radiant panels

If you live in an upstairs house with large volumes, you notice that between the ground floor and the first floor there is a noticeable difference in temperature.

It is the same phenomenon in a room with a large height.

To alleviate this unpleasant sensation, one solution is the infrared radiator.

Before we learn about our customers' experiences, here is a short theoretical explanation.

Understanding the thermal stratification of air

In a room, a phenomenon of stratification of warm air occurs: warm air is less dense than cold air. It becomes trapped at ceiling level

At the same time, the cold air remains at floor level. This will become increasingly important as the ceiling height increases.

This is a very important phenomenon.

It is necessary to count 1° of difference for every 1 meter.

thermal stratification diagram
Thermal stratification of air (source: Wikipedia)

This should be avoided for 2 reasons:

  • Occupant comfort
  • Energy consumption: you need to heat more to achieve a comfortable temperature in the lower layers.
    While at the same time, you are unnecessarily overheating the upper strata of the room.

Higher rooms are therefore more susceptible to this phenomenon. Several solutions can be considered to reduce the heat:

  • Diffusion with a larger number of radiators
  • Downward radiating system
  • Distributed radiation system

Testimonials from our electric infrared radiator customers:

We have grouped together 4 realizations of our customers facing a common problem: how to heat a large volume?

  • Apartment with a ceiling height of 3.4 metres
  • Sewing workshop
  • Office
  • Massage room

How an infrared heater works

Heating a flat with a high ceiling

3.4m high: Suspended radiators to heat the bar area and kitchen

large volume flat heating design

Context: So-called "Canut" Lyonnais flats: they were used as both a workshop and a home.

They were therefore designed to accommodate looms that rose up to 3 or 4 metres high. Exposed beams, large volumes, these flats are common in Lyon.

They were designed to accommodate the looms which rose up to 3 or 4 metres high.

HSP : 3.40 metres, with a mezzanine for a double bed in the main room. (opposite the trunk)

Problem : heating the kitchen area and the future standing eating bar area (above the trunk) without overheating the sleeping area of the mezzanine.

Solution : 3 extra flat 550W ceiling radiators to heat each area independently.

Regulation : radiator connected to Xiaomi Wifi socket controlled by smartphone.

Manual or time-based activation with temperature set point obtained by Xiaomi temperature sensor.

Result: the gas boiler is switched on very rarely because the night space is very little heated.

Infrared is more than enough. These designer radiators fit in harmoniously with the style of this flat.

.

Heating a sewing room in an attic without wall space

Heating ceilings for crowded walls

large volume flat heating design

Context: sewing workshop (non-professional) where every square meter is used. 3 convectors in place but too long to heat everything. Space not used much in the evening because space too cold.

.

HSP : 3.5 metres at highest, with sloping ceiling

Problem : high ceiling height. Impossible to put radiators on walls as space is needed.

Escape little used in winter. Heat diffusion also needs to be localised as seamstresses remain fairly static during the day, like in front of a computer.

Escape not used much in winter.

Solution : 1 ultra-flat 1200w overhead radiator and 2 small 550W ones above the administrative stations.

Regulation : customer feedback: "manual regulation on switch. If needed we turn on when we are there, and turn off when we are fine. it is very responsive"

Result: customer feedback: "work very well, I'm happy with it.. we can finally use this workshop in winter. Before she didn't go there much in the evening and I even less. Now I can also go and read next to her when she is making her creations."

: opinion: "we can finally use this workshop in winter.

Lacentrale-eco's parcel area and logistics office

A barrier against draughts from coming and going

large volume flat heating design

Context: Well insulated area following a refurbishment, dedicated to parcel reception, preparation and re-dispatch. Double flow ventilation installed for employee air quality and heat recovery.

.

Space called "shop" because customers can also pick up parcels.

HSP : 2.8 metres. Almost standard ceiling height

Issues: The door to this 40sqm store room is often open with the cold coming in.

Need to heat sufficiently when working statically in front of computers but also when handling packages.

Solution : 2 x 810W design panels, spaced to ensure even radiation.

Regulation: On time slot with Tydom Deltadore box.

The box retrieves the temperature sent with an IP1000 thermostat and switches on a receiver placed in the electrical panel, after the circuit breaker dedicated to this heating line.

Result: The extra-flat radiators allow a pleasant work in any situation.

Durable installation (simple, economical, indestructible, maintenance-free). Everything we love about Lacentrale-eco.com!

The 3 people working on it enjoy the warm feeling, even when sitting for a long time.

Heating a massage room in an apartment

Discreet and efficient heating for client harmony

large volume flat heating design

Context: Space dedicated to massage.

The client had previously purchased a 2012 wall mounted infrared panel for a 12m2 room. Following a move at the beginning of 2020, she moved to a 20m² room.

The client had already purchased a wall-mounted infrared panel in 2012 for a 12m2 room.

HSP : 2.5 metres. Standard ceiling height.

Problems: Conventional flat with communal hydraulic heating and poor individual radiator control.

Cold walls and floors.

Solution : 2 x 810W infrared ceiling lights.

Lacentrale-eco.com note: the electrician put them in a central position side by side when it would have been better to separate them. He used the lighting ducts to bring in the power supply

Control: Manual (a conventional switch to turn these ceiling heaters on or off)

Result: "Hello Guillaume, I am delighted with the result.

When I sit on the floor in a meditation position, conducting my workshops, I feel a gentle warmth as if I were in front of a wood fire

In contrast to the classic back-up driver, the feeling of warmth is felt within a few minutes. And aesthetically, the result is elegant. I recommend this product without hesitation. Thank you"

Why do we feel cold in a large volume?

The feeling of cold or discomfort occurs when there is a 1 degree difference per metre of height.

You will feel cold if you are 19° on the ground, 20° at the waist and 21° at head level. Which is often the case.

Your body also feels the radiation coming from the walls, glazing, or the floor. Hence the importance of having good double or triple glazing.

Example of a cold room with tiled floors and poorly insulated walls:

If you heat with a convector heater you will heat the air, and widen the temperature differences between the air and the surfaces, which will cause you a real feeling of discomfort.

The more you heat, the hotter the air will be.

.

This hot air if it is humid (kitchen, bathroom, WC if you have a bad VMC), will generate condensation on the windows, but also on the walls. Mould will appear and the overall air quality will deteriorate. Hence the importance of checking the ventilation.

Why infrared heating eliminates the feeling of cold

Your body feels uncomfortable when it perceives cold radiation from walls, floors and elements. Infrared radiation will warm up these elements and eliminate this cold feeling.

Infrared radiation is the most effective way to prevent coldness.

By increasing the temperature of the walls and direct radiant heat, it is possible to lower the temperature of the heater by 2 to 3°C while maintaining the same feeling of warmth.

With long infrared heating, you will:

  1. Heat solid bodies (floor, wall, elements) through radiation,
  2. Significantly reduce the temperature differences between the air and the bodies, thus reducing the feeling of coldness of your body,
  3. Reduce the temperature of the ambient air so avoid having dry air, while avoiding condensation on the walls and therefore improve air quality,
  4. Make energy savings! As you will not have any more this feeling of discomfort you will be able to heat the room less.
    It is known that with a temperature set at 19 ° on the thermostat of an infrared heater, you have the same feeling as if it was 21 °.

How to reduce your heating electricity bill with infrared heating

The sum of these factors can provide up to 30% savings over comparable systems when used as the primary heating system.

With island heating solutions instead of a fan heater, the savings potential can be even greater.

Heating a space in the house by zone according to the time of life

With radiant heat, it is possible to create specific thermal comfort zones(e.g., an office, a reading nook, a winter garden, ...).

In contrast, convective systems must heat the entire volume.

For example:

In the morning: you can heat only the kitchen area and not the whole living room, as you need to be comfortable in this space only for breakfast. So 30 minutes? 1 hour? before you leave the house for work.

.

In the late afternoon: you accentuate the heat on the children's homework/play area, but not the sleeping area if that is separate.

At dinner: you heat the dining area

In the evening: you heat the living room area to feel good on your sofa. And reduce the night zones.

This zoning is proving its worth in the bioclimatic house built in 2005 by the manager of Lacentrale-eco and his family.

By distributing the infrared emitters and setting up individual regulation on time slots, you will really lower your bill.

A drop in temperature of one degree Celsius reduces heating costs by around 6%.

It should be noted that the comfort temperature with high quality infrared heating systems is 2-3 degrees lower than with conventional heaters due to direct radiant heat and increased wall surface temperature (thus reduced body heat dissipation).

Beware, a traditional radiant heater you find in the shops is not a long wave infrared heater.

Conclusion:

Now you can see why long wave IR heating is an excellent way to heat a high-ceilinged room, while saving money and improving air quality.

Unlike convective systems, infrared heating panels produce virtually no rising hot air and therefore reduce heat loss to the ceiling.

And if you can, opt for underfloor heating.This will of course be the best solution to plan for in traditional construction or renovation.

But if you are building or renovating with a performance level close to a passive house, radiant heating will be the reactive, economical and healthy solution.And in this case forget the floor because too much inertia.

Opt also for a floor, which will be less cold than a tile.

To the main pageNext article