Infra Red Heating

[Puff]

Not really renewable but on the face of it £ saving. Anyone have any experience of it? Coupled with Solar PV/Wind maybe?

 

[gmgmgm]

All electric heating is equally 100% efficient.

Infrared is useful for large buildings (like warehouses or workshops) where you have frequent air changes and want to heat the objects/people. IR won't save you money in a domestic building.

 

[Puff]

I ask as I read this article https://www.thegreenage.co.uk/tech/infrared-heating-panels and on the face of it, will save money over a conventional (oil/gas & radiator) setup

 

[gmgmgm]

The article is trying to sell installer services. It's not remotely objective.

"we suggest using electric infrared panels in the home, since you do not need to integrate any pipe work or fuel storage facilities when you install the panels". This is the only statement which implies IR panels are "cheaper", and it's comparing them to installing a brand-new set of pipes & plumbing around a house. Obviously it's cheaper to not to install central heating plumbing, but that's nothing specific to IR.

If you already have working central heating, then IR is pointless. If you have a property without central heating, then efficient air devices such as "mini-split" air-source heat pumps are much better. Once you've insulated, of course. Buildhub is a good UK forum to delve into these details.

(This advice applies to domestic buildings, not barns!)

 

[Puff]

I'm doing a barn conversion and as yet have no heating decided on/installed. Looking at all the options and this was one someone mentioned. I'll check out BuildHub - cheers!

 

[How much]

I have a portable infra red heater in the workshop and its ideal to keep you warm at a bench or in front of machine but it is not at all good at heating the environment up it is instant heat without the moisture associated with propane or space heaters but it would be waste of time in a house as you would need it in front of you to keep warm .

In terms of heating a barn conversion and future proofing it as much as possible the key would trying to make it as air tight a possible firstly to reduce the amount of heat you are going to require then secondly insulation and lots of it how practical getting it air tight is depends on the building I guess.
And in terms of heating probably electric radiant panel heaters as gas is ultimately on the way out now .

 

[Puff]

I'm reasonably fortunate in that I am converting the end of my barn with a small extension and there is an internal (to garage) wall. We've discovered one of the 2 sides is unstable so that will replaced too, so most of the building will be cavity with stone facing. Re-roofed too.The outer existing wall I'll insulate with that foam stuff and the internal one should be ok for drywalling if I don't foam it. The floor will also be new/insulated. Most of the windows will be fixed triple glazed. Total area is around 90sqm. End result should be pretty well insulated. Initial thoughts are ASHP (or maybe a GSHP) with u/floor heating throughout plus a small stove with b/boiler. But open to suggestions and new technologies.

 

[gavztheouch]

the Most energy efficient building will be super air tight and insulated with as few thermal bridges as possible. You can use mechanical ventilation with a heat exchanger, it brings cold fresh air into the building while at the same time extracting the heat from the moist stale air exiting the building. Something to be aware with high levels of insulation is condensation in the walls especially if you have timber elements.