Industrial Infrared Heating Systems for Commercial Buildings
Industrial infrared heating systems provide a practical and highly efficient solution to the challenges of heating large-scale commercial buildings. Unlike traditional heating, which warms the surrounding air, infrared heating targets the surfaces and occupants directly, reducing heat loss and improving energy efficiency.
To explore broader heating strategies, visit our commercial sustainable heating systems page.
At Inergy Group, we supply and install advanced infrared heating panels and systems. Our designs focus on high-performance, low-maintenance outcomes using electric infrared heater panels that are ideal for buildings without a gas connection. Infrared heating really can be a transformative and incredibly efficient solution to install in industrial premises and spaces such as:
- Factories and warehouses
- Food production facilities
- Industrial garages, workshops and garages
- Sports and leisure facilities
In all of these industries the shortwave infrared heating system focuses on instantly heating the people, surfaces, or exact area with shortwave infrared rays.
Energy Use Reduction with Shortwave Infrared Heaters
Most heating systems use much more energy than is delivered through their heat output. What makes shortwave infrared heaters so special is that almost all of their energy is converted to heat. They don’t rely on air convection to propagate that heat, there are even more energy savings to be made.
The technology is built around focused, radiant heating emitted by low-glare lamps and magnified through parabolic reflectors. A property of light is that it warms solid objects it shines on and infrared light is no exception.
Focused Heating Zones
It’s not uncommon in manufacturing and storage spaces to need to heat only a specific area. The obvious example is a high warehouse ceiling, where heating isn’t necessary above a certain height. Traditional methods heat these areas in normal operation. From a cost and sustainability viewpoint, all of this is waste.
Infrared heating, by contrast, can be applied and installed selectively to areas or ‘zones’. This allows for accurate control based on the specific needs and requirements of the location.
No Wait for Heating
With infrared heating, there’s an immediate sense of warmth in the target zone as soon as the heaters are turned on. This is the same principle as the way you are immediately warmer outside when the sun emerges from the clouds.
Infrared heating can therefore be very effective when worker comfort is a priority, especially as there are no unplanned temperature variations or drafts which may be noticeable with some forced-air traditional heating systems.
Compact System Installation
Compared to most traditional heating solutions, shortwave infrared systems save a measurable amount of floor space, as they can easily be mounted to walls or ceilings. The accurate design of the complete system allows the target zones to be identified delivering heat exactly where it’s needed.
Fewer Moving Parts
These systems have fewer points of failure than gas and water-based traditional heating systems. As a result, the need for regular maintenance is reduced, which in turn cuts the costs of servicing and reduces the needed downtime for maintenance.
Air Quality Benefits
There’s no need to circulate air through the premises when using shortwave infrared heating. This reduces any redistribution of airborne particles like dust improving, indoor air quality and supporting a healthier work environment.
Key Benefits To You
Clear Cost Saving: Our solutions can offer a cost-effective alternative to conventional heating systems, saving up to 50% and 75% (Depending on individual requirements).
Environmental Sustainability: Installing a system like this will contribute to your business goals to mitigate carbon emissions and reduce carbon footprint.
Reduced Energy Consumption: With the potential to cut energy use to one fifth of previous levels, infrared heating solutions pair well with commercial-scale solar panels as a way to minimise the need to buy in extra energy.
Infrared Heating Panels – Design, Benefits & Considerations
Key Advantages:
Direct radiant heat – warms only what is needed
Can be wall or ceiling-mounted to save space
Instant heat with no delay
Energy-efficient and works well with solar panels
Safe for food-grade and clean-room settings
Considerations:
Targeted heat means correct placement is essential
No lingering warmth once turned off
Higher upfront cost versus convector units
Infrared panels work best when designed and positioned based on your layout. Our team models coverage and optimises layout using CAD tools.
Why Infrared Heating Works for Industry
Rising energy prices and sustainability targets mean businesses are under pressure to reduce consumption. Industrial infrared heaters respond to this challenge by:
Delivering radiant heat instantly to people and surfaces
Avoiding wasted energy in unoccupied areas or high ceilings
Working independently from airflow and draughts
Offering zoned control and intelligent scheduling
The result is a fast-acting, controllable system that reduces both energy bills and carbon footprint.
Infrared Heating vs Gas-Based Systems
| Feature | Infrared Heating | Gas-Based Heating |
|---|---|---|
| Warm-Up Time | Instantaneous | Slow |
| Heat Distribution | Targeted and directional | Air-based, less targeted |
| Energy Efficiency | Up to 90% conversion | Often below 60% |
| Installation Requirements | Wall/ceiling mount; minimal disruption | Pipework, boiler rooms, ducting required |
| Maintenance Needs | Low – no moving parts | Medium to high |
| Indoor Air Quality | No dust or allergens disturbed | Can circulate air and particles |
| Carbon Reduction Compatibility | Fully electric, PV compatible | Gas use contributes to emissions |
Clients have reported 70%+ reductions in energy bills and significantly improved comfort after installation.
Commercial Infrared Heater Pricing (Examples)
These examples illustrate system flexibility. For bespoke installation quotes, contact 01204 929999 or email info@inergygroup.co.uk.
| Product | Wattage | Coverage Area | Price From | Application |
| Ecostrad Thermostrip – 1.8kW | 1800W | 10m² | £76.49 | Entry-level commercial spaces |
| Herschel Summit – 2.6kW | 2600W | 16m² | £559.99 | Retail, offices, indoor/outdoor use |
| Herschel Aspect XL – 1300–1950W | Up to 1950W | 6–9m² | £439.99 | Workshops, public facilities |
| Herschel Advantage IRP4 – 2600W | 2600W | 21m² | £999.99 | Industrial & warehouse environments |
Book your free industrial infrared heating assessment today - info@inergygroup.co.uk
Infrared Heating for Zoned Industrial Use
Heating an entire warehouse or production floor is often wasteful. Infrared heating allows us to install targeted, zoned heating to specific areas like:
Loading bays
Assembly lines
Testing areas
Inspection or packing benches
This approach reduces overall energy use while maintaining comfort where it’s needed most. With instant heat-up and no wasted energy in unoccupied spaces, zoning delivers meaningful cost savings.
Minimal Disruption Installation
Our infrared heating panels are easy to install with minimal disruption to your building fabric. Unlike wet or gas systems, there’s no need for pipework or flues. Installation typically involves:
Mounting fixtures on walls or ceilings
Electrical connection with safety certification
Controller integration (including BMS support)
Because infrared heaters don’t rely on air movement, placement is based on staff layout, ceiling height, and operational zones.
Cleaner, Lower Maintenance Heating
With few moving parts and no combustion, infrared heaters require minimal maintenance. Most systems only require basic checks and occasional lamp replacement. Clients benefit from:
Fewer breakdowns
Lower servicing costs
No safety inspections required for flues or gas
Infrared heating is also safe and compliant with BS EN 60335 and ideal for sensitive environments.
Sustainable, Electric & Solar-Compatible
All Inergy Group’s infrared systems are fully electric, making them compatible with renewable energy systems such as solar PV.
By combining solar panels with our infrared heating, you can:
Reduce reliance on grid power
Improve your EPC score
Lower operational carbon emissions
These systems support broader corporate ESG targets and are often part of decarbonisation roadmaps.
FAQs
Are infrared heating systems suitable for large warehouses?
Yes – infrared systems are ideal for large commercial or industrial buildings, particularly those with high ceilings or poor insulation. Because the heat is radiant and targeted, they avoid warming unused air space and deliver comfort exactly where it’s needed.
How do infrared heating panels affect indoor air quality?
Unlike convection systems, infrared heaters don’t rely on air circulation. This means they don’t stir up dust or airborne particles, helping maintain cleaner air – especially important for food production and warehouse environments.
What are the energy savings compared to traditional gas heating?
Clients typically see energy savings of 50% to 75% depending on building layout, usage patterns, and the efficiency of their previous system. Because infrared converts nearly all input energy into radiant heat, less is wasted.
Do infrared heaters work well with renewable energy?
Yes. Our infrared heating systems are fully electric and integrate seamlessly with solar PV systems. This allows you to reduce grid reliance and cut emissions while improving your EPC rating.
Can the system be zoned or controlled separately?
Absolutely. Infrared heating allows for precise zone control, letting you heat only the areas that are occupied. Smart thermostats and BMS integration mean you can fine-tune heating to your business needs.
Do infrared panels provide instant heat?
Yes – radiant heat is felt within seconds of switch-on. There’s no warm-up period, making them ideal for spaces that don’t require constant heat or where intermittent use is common.
Is planning permission required for installation?
In most cases, no. Infrared heaters are surface-mounted and non-intrusive. Our team will advise during your site survey if any planning considerations apply.
How do infrared panels differ from portable heaters?
Our commercial infrared systems are fixed installations designed for high-performance, energy efficiency, and zoning. Portable infrared heaters serve a different purpose and are not suitable for large scale or continuous commercial use.
Get a Proposal or Book a Survey
To discuss your project, request a proposal or arrange a site visit, get in touch with the Inergy team today on 01204 929999 or info@inergygroup.co.uk. Whether you’re looking to retrofit a warehouse or upgrade an existing system, we’ll design a solution to meet your performance and sustainability targets.
Infrared Heating Systems by Inergy
For more information about how we can support you with our Infrared Heating Systems solutions, contact Inergy Group on 01204 929999. You can also send us a message via our contact form and we’ll be in touch.