Why commercial spaces are turning to infrared heating

Why commercial spaces are turning to infrared heating

Our infrared commercial heaters make light work of any heating environment.

If you’re responsible for heating a large open area — say a warehouse, loading bay, workshop, or hospitality zone — then traditional convection heating can struggle. Big volumes of air, high ceilings, frequent door openings, and drafts mean you may be heating the air, not the people or surfaces that actually need to stay warm.

That’s why many businesses are now choosing infrared (radiant) heating for commercial environments. Studies and industry articles show that infrared heaters:

• Warm objects and people directly, rather than relying on heating circulating air.  

• Offer targeted, zonal heating (so you can focus warmth where it matters) — especially useful in large or poorly insulated areas. 

• Reduce energy waste since you're not having to heat swathes of air that will escape or stratify near the ceiling. 

• Are low-maintenance or 0 maintenance, with no moving parts and less service overheads compared to forced-air heating systems. 

In short: for commercial environments (retail shops, warehouses, studios, salons, cafés, open-plan offices) Infrared heating represents a smart alternative — comfortable, efficient, and well-suited to modern business demands.

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How infrared heating works (in plain terms)

To appreciate why infrared is so effective, it helps to understand the mechanism.

• Traditional convection heating warms the air, which then circulates to heat people. But warm air rises, can be lost through openings, and is inefficient for large spaces.
• “Infrared heating is a method of heat transfer that uses infrared radiation to warm objects and people directly, rather than heating the surrounding air.” Eco Friendly Heating
• Infrared heating works by emitting electromagnetic waves (in the infrared spectrum) that travel through the air and are absorbed by surfaces — walls, floors, people — which then radiate the heat back out. Effectively heating the people in the room immediately and giving a warmth similar to sitting in the sun.
• Because you’re heating the “objects” rather than the “air-mass”, heat is felt more immediately and maintained more reliably — even in spaces with drafts, open doors or high ceilings. This means you can mount panels or heaters on ceilings, walls or overhead beams and still create comfortable zones without the need to over-heat the entire building. It also means you can control the heat more easily with infrared heaters.

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The key benefits for commercial-use environments

Based on the collective analysis of blog posts for large spaces, here are the main benefits you can highlight when speaking to commercial clients — and how your offerings support them.

1. Energy & cost-savings

Because infrared systems minimise energy lost in heating large air volumes and avoid constant reheating when air escapes (e.g., warehouses with doors opening/closing), they deliver real operational savings. 
For example, one review noted that converting to radiant / infrared heating in a large building can reduce the required heat output/BTU significantly compared to forced-air systems.
This means your business clients can see lower heating bills, faster return-on-investment and fewer wasted kilowatts.

2. Rapid, targeted comfort

Infrared heaters deliver warmth immediately to people and objects, rather than waiting to raise the air temperature.
In commercial zones where staff, customers or processes need comfort quickly (reception zones, pick-and-pack lines, breakout spaces) this responsiveness is a big plus.

3. Better indoor environmental quality

By avoiding heating large volumes of air and by not relying on fans or ductwork, infrared heating helps reduce drafts, avoids stirring up dust/allergens and can contribute to a better atmosphere. 
In environments like salons, studios, cafés or retail spaces, where comfort and aesthetics matter, that silent, “no-fan” operation is valued.

4. Zone and space-efficient installation

Infrared panels and heater bars can be wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted or suspended. Especially ceiling-mounted panels deliver uniform coverage without floor space intrusion. 

This flexibility is especially useful in commercial settings: high ceilings, mezzanines, open spaces, or where floor space must be kept clear.

5. Durability, low maintenance

Because there are fewer moving parts, no boilers, fewer duct leaks, infrared solutions tend to require less maintenance. In industrial/commercial settings that means less downtime and fewer service visits.
This durability is often cited as a selling point for facilities managers.

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Specific product recommendations

Now, given the benefits above, here are three strong product picks from your own commercial-heating collection (on your website) that align well with the needs of commercial buyers.

• Herschel Advantage IR 1300/1950 W

 

 

This is a “commercial infrared heater designed for targeted, zero-light heating in workshops, packing bays and industrial areas.” Eco Friendly Heating

Why recommend it:

• Zero-light design is good for areas where appearance matters (retail, workshops) and you don’t want visible glowing elements.

• Two output sizes (1300W & 1950W) mean you can fit zones of different sizes.

• Wall or ceiling mount means flexibility for commercial layouts.
  Suggested message: “For businesses with active work zones (packing bays, assembly lines, mezzanines) the Advantage IR allows you to heat exactly where people are working — with the efficiency of radiant heat and without disturbing the environment.”

 

• EcoSun U+ Universal Infrared Heating Panel

This infrared heater is a slimline wall/ceiling-mounted infrared panel with “thermocrystal” surface for high emissivity. That means it heats very well.  Eco Friendly Heating

 

Why recommend it:

• Great for commercial offices, meeting spaces, or even retail zones where discreet heating panels are preferred over visible heater bars.

• Suitable for both commercial and industrial settings (per description).

• Easy aesthetic integration (white finish) and ceiling tile replacement potential.
  Suggested message: “For spaces that require a clean look (office zones, meeting rooms, boutique retail) the EcoSun U+ offers high-performance radiant heating in a slim, discreet panel — ideal when you want to maintain a professional interior while delivering effective warmth.”

 

• Herschel Select Infrared Ceiling Tile Heater

Infrared heaters from Herschel are an  “Infrared ceiling tile heaters provide clean, gentle, comfortable heat… ideal for providing focused heat and not heating up unused areas.” Eco Friendly Heating

Why recommend it:

• Specifically designed to fit standard 600×600 mm ceiling tile grids — very useful in offices, schools, light commercial premises.

• Controlled heat means you avoid waste by heating only the occupied zones.
  Suggested message: “If your commercial space has a suspended ceiling (typical in offices, clinics, training rooms), then the Herschel Select Infrared Ceiling Tile Heater is an excellent fit — install directly into the ceiling grid, maintain clean lines, and enjoy efficient radiant heating targeted to where people are seated or standing.”

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How to choose the right solution for your commercial space

Here are some decision-points and tips your customers (business buyers) should consider — and you can use these in your blog to show expertise.

1. Assess the usage pattern

   • Is the space occupied all day (open office) or only intermittently (workshop breaks, part-time use)?

   • Does it have lots of doors opening/closing (loading bays, retail entrances)? These favour radiant solutions because convection heating will lose air constantly.

   • Do you need multi-zone control (e.g., reception, warehouse, mezzanine)? Infrared allows zoning.

2. Height and layout matter

   • High ceilings = more air volume to heat = convection heating becomes inefficient. Radiant heaters mounted suitably high are ideal.

   • Obstructions, mezzanines, large open spans = think about targeted heater bars rather than blanket heating.

3. Insulation and draft control

   • While infrared helps mitigate issues with drafts and door openings (because it heats people/objects not air), insulation still matters.

   • If many drafts, doors or large air-change rates exist, radiant heating is typically the better match.

   • Mounting and installation logistics

   • Ceiling-mounted panels vs wall-mounted bars: choices depend on space use, ceiling height, visual impact.

   • Electrical supply: many infrared solutions are simple to install (just an electric connection) vs complicated boilers/ducts. 

   • Maintenance: fewer moving parts means less service overhead.

4. Controls and zoning

   • Use thermostats, timers, zone control to avoid heating unused areas.

   • Smart controls (app/thermostat) help tailor heating to occupancy, further improving savings.

5. Visual & environmental fit

   • In retail, hospitality, studios: aesthetics matter (slim panels, zero-light heater bars, silent operation).

   • Also consider sustainability: infrared systems integrate well with low-carbon and renewable energy sources (e.g., electric heating powered by green electricity). 

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Conclusion

In commercial buildings where heating cost, comfort, space-efficiency and maintenance are all critical considerations, infrared heating offers a compelling solution. With targeted radiant heating, minimal waste, and flexibility of installation, it addresses many of the shortcomings of traditional convection systems in large or frequently-ventilated spaces.

If you’re considering upgrading or installing heating in a commercial environment, I recommend taking a look at the commercial heating collection on Eco Friendly Heating Systems UK:

eco-friendlyheating.co.uk → Commercial Heating Eco Friendly Heating

In particular:

• For work-zones and industrial areas: consider the Herschel Advantage IR 1300/1950W

• For offices, meeting rooms or retail zones: check out the EcoSun U+ Universal Infrared Heating Panel

• For suspended-ceiling grid spaces: the Herschel Select Infrared Ceiling Tile Heater offers an elegant and efficient fit.

If you’d like help selecting the correct wattage, layout or zone-design for your space, don’t hesitate to reach out — we can assist with consultation, calculation and specification. Let’s make sure your heating system works as hard as you do.