How to Calculate Wattage for Infrared Heating Panels: A Complete Guide for UK Homes

Introduction

Infrared heating provides warmth, comfort and healthy heating at a great price. Once you have decided infrared hating panels are the right choice for your home, choosing the right size of infrared panel heater can make or break your energy savings and comfort. Too small, and your room stays cold. Too large, and you’re wasting energy. This guide helps UK homeowners calculate the ideal wattage for infrared heating panels—room by room, step by step.

Why Wattage Matters

Infrared panels work by heating people and surfaces, not just the air. So choosing the correct panel size (in watts) is essential. Infrared heating panels are known for their fast warm-up time and even heat coverage. Getting the correct size for each room ensures maximum efficiency as far as heating and costs.

Step 1: Measure Your Room

Use this simple formula: Length × Width × Height = Volume in m³

Example: A living room that’s 5m long, 4m wide, and 2.4m high: 5 × 4 × 2.4 = 48m³

Step 2: Select Wattage per Cubic Metre

Use the table below as a rule of thumb for how many watts are needed per cubic meter (UK homes):

Well-insulated: A well-insulated room will have a relatively uniform temperature throughout with minimal drafts. You shouldn't experience noticeably warmer or cooler spots. You need your infrared heating panels to heat 25–30 W/m³,

Average insulation: This room may have some hot or cold spots or some drafts but typically suits most people as it can be easily heated and maintained at 68°F and 72°F (20°C and 22°C). For this room estimate you will need infrared heating panels that heat the room at 30–35 W/m³,

Poor insulation: A poorly insulated room will have drafts and cold spots. It is harder to heat all of the room efficiently. Surfaces such as walls and floors can feel cold to the touch and naturally heating bills tend to be higher. Cavity wall insulation or double glazing can help improve poorly insulated spaces dramatically. For a poorly insulated room you need panels that would be able to heat 40–45 W/m³

For our 48m³ room with average insulation: 48 × 35 = 1,680 watts. For this example two large panels could be used or more smaller panels if preferred. 

Step 3: Consider Usage Type

Living rooms: are off course used more than most rooms in the home and are normally well insulated. Typically30–35 W/m³ is required,

Bedrooms are often slightly cooler: 25–30 W/m³,

Kitchens: Depending on how much you use your kitchen but typically 25–40 W/m³ is enough, 

Bathrooms: Add 10–15% extra due to ventilation.

Step 4: Placement Tips

Mount panels on ceilings or high walls for the most effective and economic heat. In bathrooms you can get designer heaters or even heated mirrors. You should always avoid placing any infrared heater behind furniture as the heater will end up heating up the furniture rather than your room. Spread wattage across zones for large areas.

Step 5: Use Our Free Calculator

Final Thoughts

Infrared panels work best when sized correctly. Use our guide or calculator to get it right—and enjoy lower bills with cosy, even warmth.

Need help with sizing? Contact us today and get a free infrared heating consultation.