Infrared heating for the conservatory for year-round comfort
With infrared heating in your conservatory, you can transform a seasonal space into a comfortable living space all year round. Conservatories and glass extensions have a large glass surface and therefore lose heat quickly. Traditional radiators or convectors often struggle to warm these spaces comfortably and consume a lot of energy. Infrared heating works differently. The panels don't heat all the air in the room first, but instead radiate heat directly to people, furniture, and floors. This ensures a pleasant and stable feeling of warmth, even when the outside temperature is lower or there is a lot of glass.
How does infrared heating work in a conservatory?
Infrared heating in a conservatory uses long-wave radiant heat. The panels are mounted on the ceiling, wall, or freestanding, and send heat waves into the room. This radiation is absorbed by surfaces such as floors, walls, tables, and chairs. These surfaces then slowly release the heat back into the environment. Because the heat is immediately noticeable, even at slightly lower air temperatures, it creates a comfortable indoor climate without overheating the air. This is a major advantage in conservatories, where the temperature difference between the glass, floor, and seating area is often significant. Infrared reacts quickly, so you only need to heat the conservatory when you are actually sitting there.
Why is infrared so suitable for conservatories and glass extensions?
A conservatory usually has large glass panels and sometimes limited underfloor insulation. Traditional heating in such a space loses a lot of heat through the glass and ventilation. Infrared heating takes a different approach. By directly heating people and surfaces instead of air, less heat is lost. You experience a pleasant warmth, even when the air temperature remains lower than in other rooms. This makes infrared particularly efficient in conservatories, garden rooms, or glazed extensions. Combined with a smart thermostat, you can easily set a program so the conservatory is warm when you want it, preventing energy waste when the room is empty.
Applications of infrared heating in different types of greenhouses
Not every conservatory is the same. Some conservatories are used as cozy sitting areas or dining rooms. Others function as garden rooms, studios, workspaces, or extensions of the living room. Infrared heating solutions can be adapted to all these situations. In a sitting area, for example, it's helpful to install panels on the ceiling to distribute the heat evenly throughout the room. In a work or reading corner, an infrared panel mounted on the wall near the seating area can provide extra comfort. For multifunctional conservatories with a flexible layout, a combination of ceiling panels and a standing infrared heater be a good choice. This allows you to create zones of focused heat without unnecessarily heating the rest of the house.
Infrared as main heating or additional heating in the conservatory
Depending on the insulation and size of the conservatory, infrared can be used as both primary and secondary heating. In well-insulated conservatories, infrared can often be used entirely as the primary heating system. The panels are then strategically placed on the ceiling and, if necessary, supplemented with a wall panel. In older conservatories or those with less insulation, infrared is often used as supplementary heating alongside an existing system. For example, you can use infrared underfloor heating or one or more wall panels to increase the perceived temperature in the sitting areas. This allows you to lower the central heating thermostat while still maintaining a comfortable temperature in the conservatory.
Comfort experience in conservatory, living room and other living areas
Many people use their conservatory as an extension of their living room. When the temperature in the conservatory drops significantly, the cold drifts toward the adjacent rooms, quickly making the living room feel less comfortable. By heating the conservatory with infrared, you prevent cold air traps and maintain a more stable temperature in the adjacent living room . The radiant heat feels soft and natural, creating a pleasant climate without drafts. Combined with good sun protection, you can keep the conservatory comfortably warm in winter and comfortably livable in summer. This way, you can make the most of the extra space you've created with a conservatory or garden room.
Consumption, power and dimensions in a conservatory
The required power depends on the size of the conservatory, the amount of glass, the level of insulation, and the desired use. Well-insulated conservatories with triple glazing often require less power than older extensions with single glazing. Warmteshop calculates the required power based on your specific situation. This includes consideration of the floor structure, ceiling height, and the position of the panels. A general estimate of power is between fifty and one hundred watts per square meter, depending on insulation and use. Those who want to understand consumption and costs can find additional information in the knowledge articles on efficiency and energy consumption, such as " Is infrared heating economical?" and "Comparative analyses in comparing infrared heating ."
Combinations with other infrared solutions
A conservatory is often part of a larger heating system within the home. Infrared heating in a conservatory combines perfectly with other infrared solutions in the home. For example, infrared heating in the bathroom provide quick and comfortable warmth in damp areas, while wall panels in other rooms offer additional comfort. In conservatories where a lot of time is spent, a combination of ceiling panels and a portion of underfloor infrared can create a very even and luxurious heating experience. By working with zones and smart thermostats, you only heat the rooms that are being used, which keeps total energy consumption under control.
Health and indoor climate in a conservatory
In a conservatory, air quality can fluctuate significantly due to temperature differences, solar radiation, and ventilation. Infrared heating contributes to a stable and healthy indoor climate because forced air circulation is not required. The heat is radiant and creates minimal airflow. This results in less dust movement and a calmer indoor climate, which is beneficial for people with allergies or sensitive airways. The fact that objects like floors and walls heat up instead of just the air also helps limit moisture problems and condensation. This is particularly relevant in conservatories with extensive glass, where temperature fluctuations can quickly cause condensation.
Scientific evidence and energy policy
Infrared electric heating systems are increasingly integrated into modern energy concepts. Various publications on energy platforms, such as energy.ec.europa.eu , describe how electric heating combined with sustainable power generation can play a key role in the energy transition. The fact that infrared provides instant heat and is easily controlled by zone makes it particularly suitable for spaces such as conservatories, garden rooms, and other home extensions. Furthermore, when the electricity is (partly) generated by solar panels, using infrared heating in a conservatory can be a very sustainable choice.
Advice and guidance by Warmteshop
Choosing the right infrared solution for your conservatory requires a combination of technical knowledge and practical experience. Warmteshop guides you step by step through this process. Since 2006, we have specialized in infrared heating and have since become the market leader in the Benelux. With over 5,000 panels in stock and multiple warehouses in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, we combine a wide range with fast delivery. In our 30+ showrooms —including locations in Antwerp, Ghent, Hasselt, Kortrijk, Brussels, and Culemborg—we demonstrate actual working installations so you can experience firsthand what infrared heating feels like in a conservatory. Our expertise is supported by customer reviews and independent verification through Trustprofile , which guarantees reliability and high customer satisfaction.
From initial idea to detailed heating plan
If you're considering infrared heating for your conservatory, we'll examine your entire situation together. We'll discuss the space's use, current insulation, floor type, and existing heating. Based on this, we'll develop a heating plan that clearly outlines which panels are suitable, how much power is needed, and the best placement options. We'll also advise on control options, such as a central control system or individual thermostats for each zone. Our experience with residential, office, and commercial projects means we know exactly what works in practice and how to balance comfort and energy consumption.
Learn more about infrared heating in your home
If you want to heat not only your conservatory but also other rooms in your home in an energy-efficient way, it's worth exploring our other applications. For living spaces, infrared heating in the living room considerable comfort and flexibility. In damp rooms, a dedicated bathroom heating create a dry and pleasant climate. If you want to use the floor as the main surface, infrared underfloor heating provide very even heat. By combining different solutions, you can create a complete and future-proof heating concept.
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