What Is the Difference Between an Infrared Panel and Heating Film?

An infrared panel is a ready-made heater mounted on a wall or ceiling, mainly for supplementary or targeted heating of a single room. Heating film is a thin, large-area heating layer built into the floor, wall or ceiling, and it can heat a whole flat. Both are electric, radiant heating: the difference is in the installation, the size of the heated surface and the way it is used.

Before a renovation or a move, with changing utility prices, more and more people are looking for a modern heating solution. In this article we compare our two most popular products, the infrared panel and the heating film.

What is an infrared panel?

The infrared panel is the most widespread and oldest form of infrared heating. Interior designers like it because it can be placed in many ways, and it can be used for later supplementary heating of a house or even for full heating. It can also be built in behind a bathroom or wardrobe mirror, and disguised as a wall picture in a picture frame, so in the living room or bedroom it can go above the bed or the sofa. It is also used in beauty salons, hairdressers, dance studios and fitting rooms. It can be remote-controlled and pre-programmed, and the setting can be changed at any time, so it gives exactly as much warmth as is needed.

Infrared panel as supplementary heating

With an infrared panel, supplementary heating can also be solved for a centrally heated flat: it has proved itself in small rooms that are not used continuously. It can be mounted on the ceiling and the wall, and takes no space on the floor. Because it is easy to control and programme, it heats only where and when it is really needed. If part of the electricity comes from solar panels, the electricity cost of heating can be reduced; by how much is determined by the size of the solar system and the metering rules in force today.

Mirror heating with an infrared panel

• we recommend it for a bathroom or a narrow hallway,
• for durability it is coated with an alloy of copper, nickel and manganese,
• easy to mount on the wall,
• it does not blow air, so it does not stir up dust.

We write about the difference between an infrared panel and a conventional electric panel heater in a separate article, and the full range is shown on our infrared panel page.

What is heating film, and how does it differ from an infrared panel?

Heating film is a heating system working with far-infrared radiation, made of a thin foil 0.5 mm thick, which we build into the structure of the room and which gives off heat evenly over a large surface. When this article appeared in 2022, 3rd-generation heating film was our company's newest version. Today we install 4th-generation heating film, which has a larger heating carbon-paste surface, and in which a full-width contact band between the carbon paste and the copper strip ensures a stable connection.

Heating film can be used in several ways:

1. As a complete heating system in a flat or house: it can be built into the floor, ceiling and wall. It is most practical to build it in during renovation or construction, matched to the given layer structure.
2. As supplementary heating: beyond homes, also in hotels, restaurants, shopping centres, office buildings, kindergartens, weekend houses and sports facilities.
3. For special tasks: for example tent heating, heating a riding hall or warming seedlings. It can be installed quickly, in a flat even within 2 days.

What kind of warmth does heating film give?

Heating film does not blow air but warms the surfaces of the room and the people in it, so the warmth is even, the air does not flow, and dust is stirred up less. Our skin perceives far-infrared radiation as pleasant warmth. The system can be controlled precisely with a thermostat, heats up quickly, needs no regular maintenance, and is designed for a long service life. We give a 15.5-year warranty on 4th-generation heating film if we carry out the installation.

Infrared panel or heating film: a comparison

On running cost: both convert the electricity they draw into heat, so the same amount of heat costs the same amount of electricity. Consumption is determined mainly by the heat loss of the room, correct sizing and control. With full heating, thanks to the large, evenly warm surface of heating film, the room can be comfortable at a lower air temperature, which can moderate consumption.

Which should you choose?

• An infrared panel, if you need supplementary warmth in one or two rooms, or want heating later without demolition – for example in a bathroom, as a mirror.
• Heating film, if you are renovating or building and want invisible, room-by-room controllable full heating.
• The two together can also be a good solution: the heating film gives the base heating, and an infrared panel gives targeted warmth where more is sometimes needed.

If we have aroused your interest in infrared panels or heating film, contact us and we will gladly answer your questions. If you already know which you would like, request a quote from us. Installation is available in Hungary.

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