FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Infrared?

Infrared are heat rays emitted by the sun or in our case by our heating panels. These heat rays come in a wide spectrum from visible heat which glows red to the invisible heat rays at the far end of this spectrum which are the rays that we use.

This form of radiant heat is unique in that it heats people and objects directly without heating the air. It is completely safe and its rays are absorbed by objects in the same way we absorb the sun's rays. This absorbed heat is then released into the air and an example is when at night you can use infrared cameras to detect heat given off from people or buildings.

Is Infrared Healthy?

Yes.
In fact until recent times the far infrared rays that we use have been mostly used in heat sources for premature babies in incubators and in special infrared saunas to relieve arthritis and speed recovery from muscle injuries. This is because our bodies warm up by absorbing these beneficial rays and as a result blood flow and circulation is boosted.

Are Infrared Heaters Efficient to Run?

They are incredibly efficient and a representative for far infrared heating was invited by the UK Government to speak at the Global Climate Change conference in London in 2007.

Conventional convection heating e.g. radiators, work by slowly warming up themselves then heating the air and this in turn heats people and walls etc. Each time a transfer of heat occurs it wastes energy so conventional UK heating is not very energy efficient at all.

By contrast far infrared panels reach optimum temperature almost immediately and heat people and objects directly with no air resistance and therefore no energy wastage at all. This generally leads to our panels only running for 30% of the time.

Are They Difficult to Install?

No.
You simply hang them on a ceiling or wall in the same way you would hang a picture or mirror. They can be plugged into a socket point or wired directly like a light fitting. There are no messy pipes or boilers required and being off the floor they take up no living space.

How Long Has This Technology Been Around?

It was actually invented in 1967 by a Japanese Doctor. It has been used to heat residences and offices etc for over 14 years in Europe and North America. The ancient Greeks and Romans also used a similar heating principle by using bellows and fire to heat the walls of their buildings directly and then allowed this heat to radiate outwards and heat the air. Similarly today's wood burning stoves or Aga ranges provide heat by radiation and not convection to also heat objects directly before heating the air.

Are Maintenance Costs High?

There are no maintenance costs as the panels contain no moving parts and do not rely on water as a heating medium. As such there are no radiators to bleed, boilers to service or system to be flush cleaned.

Are They Bulky and Intrusive?

They are about 1.5 inches deep and are usually rectangular or square. They come in a standard black or white finish to blend with furnishings but can also be customised to have a mirror finish or even look like a painting! The finish look is virtually unlimited.

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