Infrared underfloor heating for a comfortable and energy-efficient indoor climate
With infrared underfloor heating, you choose a modern, efficient, and comfortable heating method suitable for virtually any room. This form of electric heating uses long-wave radiant heat that is directly absorbed by people, furniture, and surfaces. This creates a warm and pleasant living environment without air circulation or temperature loss. Infrared underfloor heating is becoming increasingly popular in both residential and commercial spaces due to its fast response time, low energy consumption, and high efficiency. The system is ideal for renovations, modernizations, and projects where traditional underfloor heating is too complex, too slow, or too expensive.
How exactly does infrared underfloor heating work?
Infrared underfloor heating uses a thin heating foil or panel elements placed directly beneath the floor covering. Unlike water-based underfloor heating, infrared doesn't first heat a thick layer of the floor, but immediately radiates heat into the room. This heat feels like natural solar heat and is perceived as exceptionally comfortable. Because infrared radiation heats objects instead of air, the room temperature remains stable for longer and there is less heat loss. This makes the technology efficient and suitable for homes with variable use, renovation projects, and situations where you only want to heat a few zones. Combined with a smart thermostat, you can easily control individual rooms or sections of a room.
Why infrared underfloor heating is so energy efficient
One of the biggest advantages of this system is its low energy consumption. Infrared heat is generated through radiation instead of air heating, allowing the temperature to be set at a lower level while maintaining a higher level of comfort. Because the system reacts instantly and only needs a few minutes to provide heat, it doesn't need to be on continuously, as with traditional underfloor heating. Furthermore, radiant heat evenly heats the floor surface, making it highly efficient, even in larger spaces or poorly insulated areas. Many users experience savings of up to twenty to thirty percent with infrared compared to traditional convection systems, especially when heating is intelligently managed by zone. Read more about efficiency in Is infrared heating economical ?
Applications of infrared underfloor heating in homes and businesses
The possibilities are diverse. In living rooms, the system ensures warm floors without cold spots and a smooth heat distribution. In bedrooms, it creates a pleasant sleeping environment without noise or air circulation. Bathrooms benefit from the fast heat-up time, which reduces condensation and makes the room comfortably warm within minutes. Infrared underfloor heating is increasingly used in offices because it's an energy-efficient way to quickly heat workstations or meeting rooms. For attics, conservatories, garden sheds, and hobby rooms, this system is an excellent solution where traditional underfloor heating is too slow or too intrusive. As a supplement, you can easily combine it with a wall-mounted infrared panel , a ceiling-mounted panel , or a standing infrared heater .
Which type of infrared underfloor heating is best suited to your floor?
The right system depends on the floor structure and the desired level of comfort. Thin infrared foil is ideal for laminate, PVC, parquet, and wooden floors because it reacts very quickly and adds minimal height. For tiled or natural stone floors, infrared heating elements with a slightly higher output are often used to effectively heat heavier floor coverings. Infrared heating under rugs available, a solution that allows you to create localized underfloor heat in sitting areas, near an office, or in hobby rooms. Warmteshop can help you determine which system best suits your floor, insulation, and energy consumption.
Comparison with traditional underfloor heating
Traditional water-based underfloor heating provides even warmth throughout the room, but has a long warm-up time and often continues to radiate heat for hours after it's no longer needed. Infrared underfloor heating, on the other hand, works quickly, stops heating immediately when you want it to, and offers much higher energy efficiency in homes that don't require continuous heating. Moreover, infrared doesn't use pipes, ducts, or pump systems, making the system maintenance-free and easy to install. For renovation projects, infrared is sometimes the only realistic option because it doesn't require major renovations. Research (published on energy.ec.europa.eu others) shows that electric radiant heating can be very efficient when used intelligently, especially when combined with local electricity generation such as solar panels.
Infrared underfloor heating in renovation projects
Infrared underfloor heating is ideal for renovations. Many homes have floors that aren't suitable for milling water pipes or where raising the floor structure isn't desirable. Infrared foil is only a few millimeters thick and can be installed directly under laminate or PVC. This creates a system that offers comparable comfort without major renovations. Furthermore, infrared can be applied to individual rooms, a major advantage in older homes with varying usage patterns. By opting for zone heating—for example, in combination with a wireless thermostat —you reduce energy consumption and gain greater control.
Health and living comfort
Because infrared radiates heat instead of heating the air, it creates less dust movement. This is a key reason why people with asthma or allergies find this type of heating so pleasant. The heat feels soft and natural and prevents dry air, a common problem with traditional heating systems. The even heat distribution also contributes to a relaxing living environment. This makes underfloor infrared an ideal choice for spaces such as yoga rooms or studios, children's rooms, or workplaces. Combined with a wall or ceiling panel, it creates a very consistent and comfortable indoor climate.
Consumption, power and costs
The power you need for infrared underfloor heating depends on the insulation, floor structure, and the use of the room. As a guideline, 50 to 70 watts per square meter is sufficient in well-insulated rooms, while older homes may require more power. Warmteshop always calculates the required power based on your floor type, surface area, and preferences. For more insight, you can consult our articles such as " how many watts do I need" or the comprehensive comparison of infrared heating . For an overview of hourly and monthly costs, you can consult our knowledge blogs on consumption and efficiency.
Installation and ease of use
Installing infrared underfloor heating is surprisingly simple. Most systems are supplied as a thin, electrically powered sheet that can be rolled out directly over the subfloor. After installing a suitable underlay and connecting the thermostat, the floor covering is reinstalled. Installation time is short, and the system is ready to use immediately. For larger projects or if you need additional advice, the Warmteshop team is ready to assist. The system operates quietly, vibration-free, and requires no maintenance. Its fast response time makes it suitable for homes with flexible operating hours and for situations where you don't want constant heating.
Why choose Warmteshop?
Warmteshop has been a leading supplier of infrared heating in the Benelux since 2006. With over 5,000 panels in stock and large warehouses in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, we deliver quickly throughout the region. Our specialists have extensive experience with both residential and commercial projects and can assist you with heat calculations, installation advice, and selecting the right system. Thanks to more than 30 showrooms , you can experience products firsthand and receive expert advice directly. Warmteshop is certified by Trustprofile , which stands for reliability, transparency, and high-quality service.
More information and further information
Want to learn more about how infrared works or discover the different types available? Then also check out our pages on ceiling-mounted infrared panels , wall-mounted infrared panels , or standing infrared heating . Are you considering combining underfloor infrared with other systems or are you curious about energy efficiency? Then you'll find our articles on " Is infrared heating economical?" and "Infrared heating or heat pumps" interesting.
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