Renovating a Flat – Through a Woman's Eyes

If you modernise the heating as part of a major flat renovation, five points are worth weighing together: the cost, the installation time, how much the system restricts furnishing, everyday operation and maintenance needs. Infrared heating is especially strong in freedom of furnishing and quick installation.

After the big turning points of life – a divorce, moving out of the parental home, a long-awaited job or the loss of a loved one – many people begin a new chapter through their home. For some, rearranging the furniture is enough; others rethink the whole flat. This article is for those who decide on heating along with the renovation, and do not want a radiator or a pipe to dictate where the sofa can go.

What to watch when modernising heating?

A large-scale renovation tests patience, especially if there is nowhere to move to during the works. If it will not be just a coat of paint but also heating modernisation, more thorough preparation is needed, since the decision lasts for decades.

• Cost: count not only the investment but also running and maintenance.
• Time: how long the installation takes, and how many tradespeople's work has to be coordinated.
• Furnishing freedom: whether you have to compromise on furniture placement.
• Operation: how simple the control is in everyday life.
• Maintenance: whether the system needs regular service.

Quick installation, free furnishing

Infrared heating installs quickly: in our 2021 experience, in most cases a single day was enough to install the heating film. The film can go in the wall, on the ceiling or in the floor, and several kinds of covering can go on the floor, so the solution can be adapted to the features of the flat. No gas plan is needed; if, however, the flat's existing electrical capacity is not enough, the upgrade has to be arranged with the electricity provider in good time.

Because there are no heaters or heating pipes on the walls, more free space remains, and rooms can be furnished without constraints. The heating does not dictate where the wardrobe, bed or bookshelf goes – so there are far fewer limits on interior design ideas.

Cost, operation, maintenance

Infrared heating needs no boiler, chimney, pipework or radiators, so purchasing and servicing these drops out of the costs. What the whole system costs depends on the heated area, the building's heat loss and the layer structure, so instead of a general promise we suggest a quote based on a survey. Our recent cost comparison compares the cost of heating methods.

Radiant heating warms surfaces and objects, the heat is distributed evenly, and heating film needs no regular maintenance. The temperature of the rooms can be set one by one with a thermostat.

Comfort and a healthy living space

Many people choose infrared heating also because radiant heating does not move the air, so it stirs up less dust – we write about airborne dust and dust mites in a separate article. Moisture also condenses less on a warm wall surface, which is one common cause of a mouldy wall. We do not promise any healing effect: comfort comes from a well-sized, professionally installed system.

Which heating film do we install today?

When the article appeared in 2021, 3rd-generation heating film was our newest product; today we install 4th-generation heating film. We give a 15.5-year warranty on 4th-generation heating film if we carry out the installation.

If before the renovation you would like to know what heating suits your flat, you can read about how the on-site survey and consultation goes here, and you can request a quote on this page. We take the organisation of the heating off your shoulders, so more time and energy is left for furnishing. Installation is available in Hungary.