It is crucial to properly design the IR heating system to ensure optimal performance with low consumption. By adhering to the principles of radiant heat, correct power levels of IR panels, installation positions, efficiency and quality of the IR panel itself, and precise regulation of each room, highly efficient operation of IR heating can be ensured. The essential characteristic of IR panels is the method of heat transfer through radiation - infrared waves. We must not overlook the specific property of radiant heat, which does not lose energy for heating the air, but most of the heat is directly absorbed by surfaces and objects within the reach of the IR panel. High energy efficiency is also achieved due to: heat being created directly in the room, thus no losses in distribution, furnace, chimney; extremely precise regulation of each room with IR Sun (operation without hysteresis), immediate adaptation to temperature changes, minimal temperature differences between the ceiling and the floor, resulting in less warm air loss under the ceiling, fewer ventilation losses due to accumulated heat in surfaces. All these reasons provide a significant advantage over central convection systems. In real environments, this means that IR panels in well-insulated houses or new buildings operate less than 3 hours/day on average during the entire heating season (with properly dimensioned power), which means only 1/8 of the day.

Properly designed IR heating is highly economical in almost all situations, especially when considering total operating costs. The savings can be exceptional. If you currently heat with electric radiators, oil, or liquefied gas, have an old gas furnace, or do not use all living areas, you could halve your annual heating bill. In some cases, users achieve up to 60% savings compared to their previous heating costs. It's also important to note that quality IR heating requires no servicing or maintenance and has a lifespan of 30-40 years. If you are building a new house, your savings could be even higher, as you can save up to 70% on the entire heating system investment and all maintenance costs of other systems. This is a calculable fact when considering the total costs of heating systems, which include maintenance, emergency services, consumption, lifespan, and investment.

Ekosen's experts perform precise energy calculations for your building and, based on this data, determine the optimal power of IR panels for each room. The energy consumption of the Ekosen IR heating system is practically very low and can also be calculated. With correctly determined IR panel power, they will operate on average for up to 3 hours a day during the entire heating season in well and excellently insulated buildings and up to about 5 hours in less efficiently insulated buildings. Based on this data, you can easily calculate the approximate consumption of the system. For example, in a well-insulated residential house that requires a total power of 7 kW according to our calculations, the consumption calculation would be: 7 kW x 3 hours/day x 180 days = 3780 kWh. *The price per kilowatt-hour depends on the chosen supplier, except in the case of installed solar power, where heating costs can be free.

The laws certainly apply, but we must consider the specific principles of radiant heat, the dynamic aspect of heat transfer, and where in the room we measure the temperature increase. It quickly becomes clear that not everything is the same, even though the laws apply.

Is the same amount of energy required to heat the same space, regardless of the heat source? What do we mean by "actual energy consumed" and "theoretical energy consumed"? Can we distinguish between them?

The answer to these questions depends on the definition, and we will provide explanations for all.

We start with the basics of physical laws. To change the temperature of any substance, we need to change the amount of heat of that substance. If we supply a certain amount of heat to the substance, the temperature change depends on the properties of the substance and the amount of heat. Therefore, the heat source is not important since the temperature change will always be the same. However, if we ask about the temperature in the room, the matter is much more complex, especially regarding the influence of the source on the amount of energy transferred to the room. When we add the impact on the temperature increase and the measurement location, especially if we include the human factor, indicating when it feels warm regardless of what the thermostat shows, the matter becomes even more complex.

So, does the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of the same substance to a certain level change? The answer is no. Does the actual energy consumed change if we change the method (source) of supplying energy to a room where the thermostat regulates heating? Of course.

We must consider the relationship between the bodies receiving heat and the location where we measure the temperature that will turn off the heat source. Let's take, for example, a 100 kg sphere heated from the inside or the outside. The sphere is in a room where we want the temperature to be 21°C. The thermostat turns off the heating when the air reaches 21°C. Now, we first place an IR emitter in the room, heating the surface of the sphere and the room, and then place a heating element in the middle of the sphere. We measure energy consumption and observe the events throughout a typical year. It quickly becomes clear that the system with the heating element in the middle of the sphere will have much higher energy consumption, and the room will frequently overheat, making temperature control difficult since the heater must first heat the entire mass of the sphere, which then heats the room and often overheats it. In the first case, the room with the sphere's surface will quickly become just warm enough. There is no need to heat the entire sphere but only the surface, making us feel equally warm. In heating, it is important that the surfaces have a temperature where the heat flux is ideal for us, at an average temperature of 21°C, including everything around us, both air and objects. Therefore, in winter, the air needs to be hotter to keep us warm, while in summer, at 21°C, we can feel hot if the walls are warmer. Thus, the heat needs of the room have not changed; only the method of supplying energy has changed, changing everything. This is, of course, a highly caricatured example, demonstrating that we must always consider the actual state and not just the calculated heat losses and then compensate them in any way.

Similar differences, though smaller, occur when comparing IR heating and conventional convection heating. We must ask what heats the hot air and how much the air temperature affects ventilation and other heat losses, and what heats the IR panel and how much ventilation and heat losses there are. We immediately see significant differences. Different mass, different amount of mass, different temperatures in different parts of the room, and ultimately different energy consumption with the same thermostat turning off the heating at the same temperature. Even mounting the panel on the ceiling or wall creates measurable differences in energy consumption.

Take a 2 kW iron and press it against an exterior wall in the middle of winter, or use a 2 kW radiator or IR panel. Will it be equally warm? IR panels also heat rooms differently depending on whether they are mounted on the wall or the ceiling. Why? Why don't high-temperature IR heaters heat the same rooms as efficiently as low-temperature ones? Therefore, the method of energy transfer counts in actual consumption.

What about energy sources? If we ask whether, with the same heating system and the same energy efficiency, there are differences in energy sources, of course not. But if we change only the location of the radiator in this system, energy consumption will change. There are always differences in the efficiency of the energy source itself. Take dry and wet wood, and the difference is clear. Thus, we cannot even compare the same energy sources among themselves. What about furnaces and furnace location? Does it matter if the furnace is located in the building or 500 meters away? Does it matter where the pipes run? Believe me, a heat pump can be a more expensive solution than oil if it is located 500 meters from the heated building.

Local or central heating? Central heating is very wasteful, especially during transitional periods, due to system losses and unresponsiveness. The impact also depends on the lifestyle. Again, there is no comparison.

So, in theory, we always need the same energy to raise the same substance to the same temperature. But how we do it and where we put the energy significantly influences how much energy we actually use to raise the room temperature. In practice, it is impossible to compare even the same energy sources, let alone different heating systems, in terms of energy consumption. This is also proven by the fact that IR heating users consume an average of 40% to 60% less energy than central systems and about 30% less than local electric systems. When comparing thermal comfort, the differences are even greater.

We often wonder if it is misleading to claim that IR heating is so efficient and economical. However, due to the transfer of heat through radiation and considering the correct design of the IR heating system, a completely different dynamic of heat transfer and lower losses occur, resulting in fewer IR heater activations. This fact is evident among users worldwide. Scientific studies have also been conducted proving the greater efficiency of IR heating in compensating for heat losses. It is impossible to briefly describe all the reasons due to the complex nature of the process, but we can summarize the key causes:

• Specific Property of Radiant Heat: It does not lose energy to heat the air but most of the heat is directly absorbed by surfaces and objects within the reach of the IR panel. The air in the room is heated indirectly from the heated surfaces.
• Electricity Conversion: Electrical energy is almost 100% converted into heat, which heats the space. Consequently, there are no losses through pipe distribution, chimneys, furnaces, etc.
• Minimal Temperature Differences: Minimal temperature differences between the ceiling and the floor, resulting in less warm air loss under the ceiling.
• Reduced Ventilation Losses: When ventilating, there are fewer losses since more heat is stored in objects than in the air, so this energy is lost more slowly when ventilating the rooms.
• Highly Responsive System: Due to its operating method and placement in the room, the system is extremely responsive, especially noticeable during transitional periods or occasional room use.
• Increased Insulation Effect: Drying walls increase the insulation effect, as damp walls can reduce insulation effectiveness by up to 40% in some cases.
• Individual Room Management: Each room is individually managed through advanced IR SUN regulation, using only the energy needed, with no excess heat or shortage.

Most IR panels are mounted on the ceiling as the radiant heat is most evenly distributed in the room, similar to a light when turned on at the ceiling. Ceiling mounting also warms the floors more as radiant heat directly reaches the floor surfaces. Since Ekosen IR panels emit radiant heat at a wide angle, it accumulates in the walls and other objects, ensuring very even heat distribution. The room acts like a low-temperature radiator.

Typically, the distance between the ceiling and the floor is shorter than between adjacent walls. Wall mounting makes it more challenging to ensure the proper position of the IR panel as it requires moving furniture, tables, etc. The most important thing with wall mounting is that the IR panel should not be directed towards window surfaces as this causes greater heat losses through the window.

In practice, wall mounting of the IR panel may be more suitable and economical in certain situations, so it is necessary to consult or inspect the building with an IR heating specialist to advise on the ideal placement of the IR panels. If IR panels are mounted on the walls, heating costs may be higher, but there may also be no noticeable differences if the appropriate placement is chosen.

Yes. As mentioned, IR heating is highly economical in most situations, but certain specific factors or types of buildings make IR heating less practical or efficient due to its operating method. Therefore, it is necessary to consult IR heating specialists before purchase, who can correctly design and provide appropriate advice. Residential buildings built mostly of stone or solid brick without additional insulation and with ceramic or stone flooring without insulation underneath pose a greater challenge in ensuring the appropriate efficiency of IR heating. These types of buildings often exhibit high levels of capillary moisture in the walls or floors. Although IR panels can be highly effective in removing this moisture, it is essential to consider that such buildings have a constant external moisture influx into the walls. While IR panels reduce moisture in the walls, their operation in drying damp walls with continuous external moisture influx increases the energy consumption needed to maintain the desired room temperature.

Absolutely! We can confidently state that Ekosen IR heating achieves more favorable room temperatures with less energy use than convection heating methods. In enclosed spaces, such as living areas, all surfaces (floors, walls, etc.) are evenly heated and then radiate warmth, pleasantly heating the air. Most people believe that the sensation of warmth depends on the air temperature, which is incorrect, as thermal comfort depends on several factors, with key ones being the average surrounding temperature and the presence of drafts. For example, skiers and mountaineers do not freeze even when surrounded by cold air. The reason is that they are bathed in thermal IR waves emanating directly from the sun (solar heat) and from environments capable of effectively reflecting these rays (snow, rock, earth, etc.). We can confidently claim that IR heating can create perfect thermal comfort, ensuring the correct air and ambient temperature, regardless of the demanding conditions.