Electric panel heaters: a buying guide
A panel heater is a wall-mounted electric heater, commonly known as an electric convector: it draws in cold air at the bottom, warms it and releases it at the top. Four things matter when buying: the heat demand of the room, the ingress protection rating (an IP24 model for bathrooms), the built-in thermostat and the wiring.
In brief
- A panel heater is a wall-mounted electric heater, commonly called an electric convector: it warms the air, without a fan, so it is quiet.
- Only a model protected against splashing water belongs in a bathroom, for example the IP24 Adax Neo WiFi "H"; IP20 panels are for dry rooms only.
- Panel heaters come with a built-in thermostat; the WiFi models can also be controlled from a phone, with a weekly schedule.
- The panel is mounted on a vertical wall, 10–20 cm above the floor, ideally under a window.
- You can fit the wall bracket yourself; the 230 V connection should be made by a qualified electrician.
Which panel heater should you buy? Six steps
- 1
Work out the room's heat demand
The output you need depends on the size of the room, its insulation and its windows and doors. For an estimate use the panel heater calculator; for a whole home, an on-site survey is the way to go.
- 2
Decide where it will go
A panel heater is mounted on a vertical wall, 10–20 cm above the floor, ideally under a window. If you use several panels, place them well apart from each other.
- 3
Only a protected model for the bathroom
The Adax Neo WiFi "H" is rated IP24 and protected against splashing water. The Adax Neo and Glamox TPA are IP20: dry rooms only.
- 4
Choose the controls
The panels have a built-in thermostat. The Adax Neo is digital and programmable; the WiFi models can also be controlled from your phone, with a weekly schedule.
- 5
Have an electrician connect it
You can fit the wall bracket yourself, but the 230 V connection should be made by a qualified electrician. With several panels the electrician also checks the circuits: a 2000 W panel draws about 8.7 A.
- 6
Stand, if you want to move it around
Placed on a stand, the panel becomes portable; the stand is not included and can be ordered separately.
Panel heaters in our web shop
Adax, Glamox, BEHA, Thermor Soprano and others are available in our web shop, which you can also browse by brand. Panel heaters in the web shop (Hungarian-language shop, delivery within Hungary).
Panel heater families: which one is for which room?
Protection rating and controls as given in the manufacturers' and distributors' product pages.
| Family | Protection rating | Built-in thermostat | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adax Neo | IP20 | digital, programmable | dry room |
| Adax Neo WiFi "H" | IP24 — protected against splashing water | digital, weekly schedule, WiFi | bathroom too, observing the zone rules |
| Glamox TPA | IP20 | digital, with timer | dry room |
| BEHA PB | see product page | manual and Bluetooth, programmable | see product page |
| Kolumbo | IP20 — not for bathrooms according to the manufacturer | see product page | dry room; freestanding or wall-mounted |
Sources: Adax Neo — dimat.hu product page (September 2026); Adax Neo WiFi, Glamox TPA, BEHA, Kolumbo — manufacturers' short descriptions on the product pages of the web shop.
Panel heater, convector, electric heater: what is the difference?
Several names are used for the same kind of wall-mounted, electrically powered appliance that heats the air: panel heater, electric convector, electric heater. They all work in the same way: cold air entering at the bottom of the unit is warmed by the heating element and leaves at the top. A panel heater has no fan, so it runs quietly.
An infrared panel heats on a different principle: it warms surfaces by radiation rather than the air. You can read more on the infrared panel page and in the article Panel heater or infrared panel?
Questions about panel heaters
What is a panel heater?
A panel heater is a wall-mounted, electrically powered heater, also called an electric convector or electric radiator: cold air entering at the bottom of the unit is warmed by the heating element and leaves at the top. A panel heater has no fan, so it runs quietly, and it is regulated by a factory-fitted thermostat. An infrared panel, by contrast, heats by radiation: Panel heater or infrared panel?
What size of panel heater do I need?
The output you need is determined by the room's heat demand, which depends not only on its size but also on the insulation, the windows and the number of external walls. We do not give a general watts-per-m² rule that holds for every building, because it would be misleading: the calculator gives an estimate for a single room, and for a whole home we recommend an on-site survey. Work it out here: panel heater calculator.
How much electricity does a panel heater use?
At full load a panel heater uses its rated power every hour: a 1000 W panel uses 1 kWh. The built-in thermostat switches it off when the set temperature is reached, so actual consumption is lower and depends mainly on the heat loss of the building and the temperature you set. For an estimate: panel heater consumption calculator.
Which panel heater should I buy?
Choose a panel heater that suits the room: for a dry room an IP20 panel with a programmable thermostat (for example the Adax Neo or Glamox TPA), for a bathroom the IP24 Adax Neo WiFi "H", and a WiFi model if you want remote control. Choose the output to match the room's heat demand; the best panel heater is the one that meets all three criteria. Range: panel heaters in the web shop (Hungarian-language shop, delivery within Hungary).
Can I put a panel heater in the bathroom?
A panel heater may go in a bathroom only if it is protected against splashing water, for example the IP24 Adax Neo WiFi "H", and only observing the bathroom zone rules. The IP20 Adax Neo, Glamox TPA and Kolumbo panels are for dry rooms only; according to its manufacturer the Kolumbo is not suitable for bathrooms. A towel warmer is also a good choice for a bathroom: electric towel warmer.
Where should a panel heater be installed?
A panel heater is mounted on a vertical wall, 10–20 cm above the floor, ideally under a window; place several panels well apart. In a bathroom only a splash-protected IP24 model may be used, observing the zone rules. Placed on a stand the panel is also portable, but the stand is not included and can be ordered separately. Panels and stands: panel heaters in the web shop (Hungarian-language shop, delivery within Hungary).
Can I install a panel heater myself?
You can fit the wall bracket of a panel heater yourself, but the 230 V connection should be made by a qualified electrician. Panel heaters run on a single-phase 230 V supply; with several panels the electrician also checks the load on the circuits, because a 2000 W panel draws about 8.7 A. Range: panel heaters in the web shop (Hungarian-language shop, delivery within Hungary).
Infrared heating: the complete guide
What is the difference between radiant heating and air heating, and when is each better?
Panel heater consumption calculator
Estimate the output you need and the electricity consumption.
Panel heater or infrared panel?
The two electric heaters compared.
Electric towel warmer
For the bathroom: heats and dries.
Request a quote — installation anywhere in Hungary
We survey, design and install heating film and infrared heating throughout Hungary. Tell us about your home and we will get back to you.
Sources
- Adax Neo NP20 panel heater — dimat.hu product page (IP20, 8.7 A) (September 2026)
- Adax Neo WiFi "H" panel heater — manufacturer's description (IP24)
- Glamox TPA G panel heater — manufacturer's description (IP20)
- Kolumbo electric heater — manufacturer's description (IP20, not for bathrooms)
- NordArt panel heater distributor information: operation, placement (from the earlier /futopanel/ page of futofolia.hu) (2024)