iHelios Living Reinvented
Passive House Infrared Heating Case Study UK
When you're designing a home to Passive House principles, every component has to work together.
Heating isn't simply about producing warmth—it's about delivering comfort, efficiency and simplicity without compromising the building's performance.
White Hill Barn in Hampshire is a perfect example of this approach. This remarkable contemporary home combines exceptional architecture with a carefully selected package of sustainable technologies, including an iHelios infrared heating system, integrated solar PV, battery storage, MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery), highly insulated timber-frame construction and heat pump hot water production.
A Home Built for Performance
Nestled within the South Downs National Park, White Hill Barn was never intended to be an ordinary self-build.
Steven designed it as their long-term family home, prioritising:
- Triple-glazed timber windows
- Highly insulated twin timber-frame construction
- Roof-integrated photovoltaic system
- Battery storage
- Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR)
- Heat pump hot water
- Rainwater harvesting
- iHelios infrared heating system
These technologies work together to minimise energy demand while creating a comfortable indoor environment throughout the year.
Why Infrared Heating Works So Well in Passive Homes
Passive homes require very little heating.
Instead of installing oversized wet central heating systems with extensive pipework, many designers now choose electric heating solutions that match the building's exceptionally low heat demand.
Infrared heating offers several advantages:
- Fast response times
- Individual room temperature control
- No boilers
- No pipework
- No radiators occupying valuable wall space
- Virtually maintenance-free operation
- Silent performance
Because the heating demand is so low, infrared panels can deliver comfortable radiant warmth only when required, helping reduce unnecessary energy use.
Designed to Work With Renewable Energy
One of the biggest strengths of White Hill Barn is how every technology complements the others.
- Roof-integrated photovoltaic panels
- Battery storage
- Heat pump domestic hot water
- Infrared heating
- MVHR ventilation
- High levels of insulation
Rather than relying on a single technology, the property uses an integrated energy strategy to reduce running costs while maintaining comfort throughout the year.
Invisible Heating, Beautiful Interiors
Architecturally, White Hill Barn embraces Scandinavian-inspired design with extensive glazing, natural timber finishes and clean, uncluttered spaces.
One of the advantages of iHelios infrared heating is that it doesn't require large wall-mounted radiators that interrupt the architecture.
This allows:
- Floor-to-ceiling glazing
- Flexible furniture layouts
- Minimalist interiors
- Greater design freedom
For contemporary homes where aesthetics matter as much as performance, this can be a significant benefit.
Comfort Without Complexity
White Hill Barn is a home engineered for exceptionally low running costs and outstanding year-round comfort. It combines advanced building fabric with renewable technologies to create a practical, low-carbon family home rather than simply demonstrating sustainable design concepts.
High-performance homes do not need oversized heating systems—they need heating that complements the building.
A Low-Carbon Future
Behind its understated appearance lies an impressive level of engineering.
White Hill Barn incorporates:
- Highly insulated timber-frame construction
- No-dig screw pile foundations
- Solar PV
- Battery storage
- Rainwater harvesting
- Heat pump hot water
- Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery
- iHelios infrared heating
Together, these technologies provide a home designed for longevity, sustainability and low operational energy use.
Why More Passive Homes Are Choosing Infrared Heating
As building regulations continue to improve insulation standards and homes become increasingly airtight, heating requirements continue to fall.
For these modern buildings, infrared heating offers several practical advantages:
- Simple installation
- Low maintenance
- Room-by-room smart control
- Ideal compatibility with solar PV and battery storage
- Excellent solution for highly insulated homes
- Clean architectural finish without radiators
White Hill Barn at a Glance
Project Summary
The property demonstrates how thoughtful building design, renewable technologies and an iHelios infrared heating system can work together to create an exceptionally comfortable contemporary home.
Conclusion
White Hill Barn demonstrates that modern heating isn't about installing larger systems—it's about installing the right system.
By combining exceptional insulation, renewable energy generation, battery storage, MVHR and an iHelios infrared heating system, the home delivers the comfort expected from a premium passive-style property while maintaining a simple, low-maintenance approach to heating.
As more homes move towards low-energy construction, projects like White Hill Barn show how infrared heating can become an integral part of the next generation of sustainable homes.
White Hill Barn is more than a showcase of sustainable building—it is now available for sale, offering a rare opportunity to own a beautifully designed, high-performance home.
Passive House Infrared Heating FAQs
Answers to common questions about using infrared ceiling heating, MVHR, solar PV and battery storage in low-energy and Passive House properties.
Is infrared heating suitable for a Passive House?
Yes. Passive Houses have very low heating demand because of their high levels of insulation, airtight construction and reduced heat loss. Infrared heating can provide responsive, room-by-room electric heating without radiators or water-filled pipework. The final system should always be sized using the building's calculated heat loss.
Why was infrared heating chosen instead of a wet heating system?
Because the property's heating demand is very low, a conventional wet system with radiators, pumps, pipework and a central boiler was not considered necessary. iHelios ceiling infrared heating provides an invisible installation, fast response and independent control of each heating zone.
Does a Passive House still need central heating?
Passive Houses require much less heating than conventional homes, but most still need some space heating during colder periods. The most suitable system depends on the building's heat-loss calculation, occupancy, ventilation design and the owner's preferred method of control.
Can infrared heating work with MVHR?
Yes. MVHR recovers heat from outgoing air and supplies fresh, filtered air to the property, while infrared heating provides additional room heat when required. The two systems perform different functions and can work together effectively in a well-designed low-energy home.
Can solar panels power infrared heating?
Yes. Electricity generated by solar PV can be used by the infrared heating system when solar power is available. Battery storage can save surplus solar generation or lower-cost off-peak electricity for later use, although winter heating demand will normally still require some grid electricity.
Is infrared heating compatible with battery storage?
Yes. Infrared heating is fully electric and can operate alongside home battery storage. The battery's usable capacity, discharge output, electricity tariff and the property's wider electrical demand must all be considered when designing the system.
Can infrared heating be controlled room by room?
Yes. Individual thermostats and schedules can control separate rooms or heating zones. This allows occupants to set different temperatures, reduce heating in unused areas and avoid operating the whole property as a single heating zone.
Is infrared heating suitable for new-build developments?
Yes. Infrared ceiling or underfloor heating can be specified for new-build homes, apartments and low-energy developments where an all-electric heating system is appropriate. It removes the need for radiators and wet heating pipework while supporting individual room control.
What determines the running cost of infrared heating?
Running costs depend on the property's heat loss, floor area, insulation, airtightness, occupancy, thermostat settings, heating schedule, electricity tariff, outdoor temperature, solar generation and battery storage. Accurate heat-loss calculations and suitable controls are essential.
Can iHelios design a complete smart energy system?
Yes. iHelios can design an integrated system combining infrared heating, solar PV, battery storage, smart electricity tariffs, EV charging and intelligent controls. Each system is designed around the property, heating demand and expected electricity consumption.
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