HEATING
without harmful UV radiation.
n Transfers energy directly to people, objects, and building surfaces rather than heating the surrounding air.
n Converts electrical input predominantly into radiant energy.
n Delivers fast, efficient heating with lower power requirements.
How infrared differs from traditional heating systems Traditional heating systems, including boilers and heat pumps, operate primarily through air convection. Warmed air rises, circulates within a space, and gradually transfers heat to occupants. This process can be inefficient in buildings with high ceilings or significant air leakage. Traditional heating, including heat pumps:
n Warms the air. n Relies on air circulation to distribute heat. n Heats the space first, occupants second. n Performs poorly in rooms with high ceilings.
What this means as the air is circulated it increases dust circulation and more importantly could help increase the spread of bacteria not good in a hospital environment. Far infrared heating:
n Emits directional rays that warm people, surfaces, and the building fabric.
n Reduces dampness by directly heating walls and surfaces.
n Warms the space naturally as heated surfaces start convecting.
n Works particularly well in old, damp, poorly insulated buildings.
Given that much of the NHS estate exhibits precisely these characteristics, infrared heating may offer operational advantages in specific settings. By way of an example, think about when you are standing outside and the sun comes out – you feel the heat; the sun then starts heating the ground and surrounding areas, and the heat will naturally start convecting. Now imagine the infrared heater doing the job of the sun, emitting rays without the harmful UV rays and heating the space in a gentle, therapeutic way – heating the occupants first as well as heating the fabric of the building, where the heat then convects naturally.
Flexible heating for variable occupancy A key advantage of infrared systems is rapid response time. Spaces can typically reach comfortable conditions within 30–60 minutes, enabling heating to align more closely with actual occupancy. To further save costs, electric infrared panels can be controlled through:
n Integrated thermostats. n Remote or app-based controls. n Wi-Fi enabled building management integration. n Zoned or individual space control.
Many buildings on the NHS estate have existing BMS systems and infrared heating is basically a heating solution that is easy to connect to and integrate. An example of a simple integration for infrared would be a connection to a thermostat which is then hardwired to an infrared panel. It is that simple. In ward environments, this enables more personalised comfort strategies. Panels positioned above individual beds, for example, may allow patients to adjust local comfort conditions without overheating entire clinical spaces. Aside from the cost savings, a more comfortable environment should create a faster healing environment.
Potential health-related benefits Unlike convective heating systems, infrared heating does not rely on circulating warm air. Reduced air movement may offer secondary environmental benefits, including: n Lower circulation of dust and airborne particles. n Reduced redistribution of pathogens within enclosed spaces.
n Mitigation of damp conditions through direct surface warming, helping limit mould growth.
While further clinical research is required to quantify health impacts fully, these characteristics may be relevant within healthcare environments, where infection control remains a priority.
Implementation and scalability If what I have outlined so far has sparked your interest, the next question is how infrared heating can be introduced into your spaces and scaled effectively. One major advantage of FIR is its modularity. Implementation can typically begin with pilot spaces:
Infrared Heating infographic.
Traditional heating systems, including boilers and heat pumps, operate primarily through air convection. This process can be inefficient in buildings with high ceilings or significant air leakage.
May 2026 Health Estate Journal 77
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80
