Infrared panel heaters at home

An infrared panel is an electric heater fixed to a wall or ceiling. Plenty of people look at one for a bathroom, a loft room or a home without gas. This page sets out the rules these heaters are sold under, and when fitting one has to be notified.

Where they fit

The Energy Saving Trust groups infrared heaters with panel heaters and wall-mounted electric radiators as "direct" acting electric heating. It says direct electric heating is sometimes used as the main heating system. This is often when a property has no storage heating, heat pump or mains gas supply.

Some direct electric heaters support a main heating system instead, and the Trust calls these secondary heating. It says direct electric heating typically has high running costs, because standard rate electricity is more expensive than gas or oil.

The rules they are sold under

Ecodesign rules set minimum efficiencies for local space heaters, electric ones included. The UK version of Regulation (EU) 2015/1188 sets minimum seasonal space heating energy efficiencies in its Annex II, which have applied since 1 January 2018.

For electric fixed local space heaters with a nominal heat output above 250 W, the minimum is 38%. For electric radiant local space heaters, it is 35%. Ask the seller which category a heater meets.

Wiring one in

Approved Document P says installing fixed electrical equipment is within the scope of Part P of the Building Regulations. It is notifiable only if it involves work set out in regulation 12(6A).

That regulation, as quoted in the 2013 edition, lists the installation of a new circuit, the replacement of a consumer unit, and any addition or alteration to existing circuits in a special location. For notifiable work, the person carrying it out must give a building notice or deposit full plans, unless a registered tradesperson self-certifies it. The Planning Portal says competent person schemes allow tradespeople to self-certify that their work complies with the Building Regulations.

Bathrooms

A special location includes the space around a bath or shower. Next to a bath tub or shower tray, that space runs from the floor up to a height of 2.25 metres, and out to 0.6 metres from the edge of the tub or tray. A room containing a swimming pool or sauna heater counts too.

Approved Document P says that in this space, minor additions and alterations to existing circuits are notifiable, as well as new circuits.

Before you buy

The Energy Saving Trust says an insulated home with a well-controlled heating system will help reduce your heating bills, whatever form of heating you have. The Office for Product Safety and Standards publishes product safety alerts and recalls on GOV.UK, and the list can be searched.

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