Air vs Direct Infrared Heating: The Science of Smarter Comfort
Heating is at the heart of every comfortable home — yet not all heat is created equal. Traditional air-based (convection) systems warm the air first, while modern infrared heating warms people and surfaces directly. This guide explains the science, compares comfort and energy performance, and shows where each system makes sense.
How Air Heating Works
Traditional systems — gas boilers with radiators, ducted warm air, or fan heaters — rely on convection: they heat the air, which then circulates around the room. It works, but it carries hidden inefficiencies:
- Stratification: Hot air rises to the ceiling; the floor zone (where you are) stays cooler.
- Heat loss: Open a door or window and warm air escapes instantly.
- Slower comfort: You wait for the room’s air volume to reach setpoint.
- Air quality: Moving air can stir dust and allergens.
How Direct Infrared Heating Works
Infrared is radiant heat. Instead of warming the air first, it warms people and surfaces directly — like sunlight on a cool day. That’s why iHelios infrared heating feels comfortable at lower air temperatures.
Key advantages of radiant heating
- Instant comfort: Warmth is felt within seconds.
- Lower setpoints: The same comfort at 1–3°C lower air temperature.
- Even distribution: Warm surfaces re-radiate, eliminating cold corners.
- Healthier air: Minimal air movement reduces dust and pollen circulation.
- Silent, discreet: No fans or pumps; options to keep walls clear.
Infrared heating makes sense wherever precision, comfort, and sustainability are priorities — homes, offices, hotels, and new developments seeking low-carbon, all-electric solutions.
The Real Energy Difference
Heating air is energy-intensive and leaky; heated air escapes through openings and gaps. Direct infrared heats the room’s mass — people, furniture, walls — which retain warmth even after the system cycles off.
- Shorter runtimes for the same comfort level
- Lower peak demand via room-by-room control
- Reduced losses, since radiant heat doesn’t “blow out” like hot air
- More stable temperatures as surfaces store and release heat
Pair iHelios with smart controls and renewables such as solar or battery storage for even greater efficiency and lower carbon emissions.
Comfort & Control: Air vs Infrared
| Aspect | Air (Convection) | Direct Infrared (Radiant) |
|---|---|---|
| Heating method | Warms air, which warms objects | Warms people & surfaces directly |
| Comfort speed | Slower (wait for air) | Fast, immediate perception |
| Typical setpoint | Higher (20–22°C) | Lower feels equal (18–20°C) |
| Heat loss | Higher via drafts/open doors | Lower; warmed mass retains heat |
| Air quality | Moves dust/allergens | Minimal air movement |
| Zoning | Often whole-house | Precise room-by-room |
| Installation | Radiators, ducts, pipework | Slim, discreet, easy retrofit |
| Maintenance | Regular servicing | Near-zero maintenance |
| Design impact | Visible emitters | Invisible, clean walls |
The Environmental Perspective
True sustainability considers both embodied and operational carbon. iHelios systems are thin, light, and durable — keeping embodied carbon low over decades of service.
Operationally, radiant heat, lower setpoints, and zoning reduce wasted energy. And because iHelios is all-electric, its carbon footprint automatically falls each year as the UK grid decarbonises — or even faster when paired with solar power and battery storage.
Infrared vs Other Systems
Gas Boilers
Relatively cheap to run, but emit direct CO₂ and methane. Even at 90% efficiency, they’re tied to fossil fuels. Infrared avoids combustion entirely and gets cleaner every year.
Old Electric Radiators & Storage Heaters
They convert electricity to heat but warm air inefficiently and lack control. Infrared achieves the same comfort with shorter runtimes and better zoning.
Heat Pumps
Excellent efficiency when designed well, but performance depends on installation, emitters, and flow temperature. Infrared offers a simpler, lower-embodied-carbon solution for retrofits, smaller spaces, or intermittent occupancy — and often complements heat pumps perfectly by providing fast, zoned comfort.
Where Each System Makes Sense
Air (Convection) Heating Works Best For:
- Constant occupancy and open-plan areas
- Highly airtight new builds
- Homes with existing ducting or pipework
Infrared Heating Excels In:
- Retrofits and renovations (no pipework required)
- Homes with varying occupancy (home offices, guest rooms)
- Apartments, studios, hospitality spaces, and rentals
- All-electric projects powered by solar and smart controls
In Summary
Infrared changes how your home feels and how it performs. By heating people and surfaces directly, iHelios reduces waste, shortens runtimes, and lowers emissions — all while delivering cleaner air and a minimalist aesthetic.
| Feature | Air Heating | iHelios Infrared Heating |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Convection (air-based) | Radiant (direct to people & surfaces) |
| Comfort | Delayed (heat the air first) | Instant, natural warmth |
| Air quality | Moves dust/pollen | Still, clean air |
| Energy use | Higher (losses via air) | Lower (shorter runtimes, zoning) |
| Carbon | Combustion or high wastage | All-electric; improves with the grid |
| Maintenance | Regular servicing | Minimal, decades of life |
| Design | Visible radiators or ducts | Invisible, modern finish |
The Future of Heating Is Radiant
The UK’s shift to Net Zero demands smarter, cleaner technology. Infrared heating fits naturally into that future: smart, efficient, and beautifully simple.
With iHelios, you’re not just changing how you heat your home — you’re redefining comfort for a cleaner, greener generation
#iHelios #HeatingReinvented #InfraredHeating #SmartHomes #SustainableLiving #EnergyEfficiency #GreenBuilding #NetZeroHomes #CleanEnergy #FutureOfHeating
