Welltherm · knowledge & inspiration
Welltherm IR heating panel: choose the right version
17 February 2026 · Welltherm Netherlands / HeatXL
Choose a Welltherm IR heating panel for its warmth and the place it will occupy in your interior. Would you like a discreet white panel on the ceiling, a heated mirror or a version matching your room’s colours? The right answer depends on the room, the capacity required and how you want to control the temperature.
This guide helps you select your product. We explain the operating principle, compare the possibilities offered by glass and metal, and show which specifications to consider. We then connect these details with practical questions: where will the panel go, when will you use it and which components do you need? This creates a complete Welltherm solution, supported by HeatXL as the Benelux distributor.
Key points
- An IR heating panel emits radiant warmth, heating people and surfaces in the room.
- Choose output, dimensions and mounting together; an attractive panel must also suit your situation technically.
- Glass, metal, mirrors and colour versions offer different possibilities for your interior.
- A suitable thermostat and receiver form part of product selection.
- Request advice with your room details and receive a proposal for the required panels and accessories.
What is a Welltherm IR panel?
An infrared panel converts electrical energy into heat. Its warm surface radiates energy towards people and surfaces in front of it. You can therefore experience warmth without the entire room first having to reach the same air temperature. The heated surfaces subsequently transfer heat to their surroundings. The air also becomes warmer when the heating has sufficient capacity.
You can compare the sensation with sunlight’s warmth on a cool day. This comparison describes the sensation of warmth; it does not claim that a panel produces the same radiation as the sun. Our heating panels for indoor spaces are designed as electric heating products. They require a suitable position, the correct connection and controls appropriate to the application.
Radiant warmth and room heating
There is a difference between feeling warm in one place and heating a complete room. When sitting at a desk, targeted warmth may be pleasant while another heating system maintains the baseline temperature elsewhere. If you wish to heat a room entirely with infrared panels, the panels must compensate for that room’s heat loss. Insulation, windows, ventilation and outdoor temperature all play a part.
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Positioning also influences the result. A tall piece of furniture in front of the panel may restrict heat transfer to your seat. A panel mainly covering an unused corner makes less effective use of its position than one aligned with the occupied area. We therefore assess not only the wattage, but also the room layout and where you want to experience warmth.
Glass and metal: technology and appearance
Our collection includes different panel ranges. Metal offers a discreet, flat appearance and possibilities for wall and ceiling applications, depending on the model. With glass, choices include bright white surfaces, matt finishes and mirror versions. Colour and image options also allow the panel to become a prominent part of your interior.
View our overview of Welltherm infrared panels for this purpose. The different versions provide a starting point for your choice. The catalogue then helps select the specific variant and its technical details. We ensure that the final combination suits your home and the way you use it.
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The front material alone does not determine which product is the best choice. Always compare the complete model: output, dimensions, weight, permitted mounting and connection. Two panels with the same output can have different dimensions and fixing methods. A larger version may suit the room visually, while available wall space calls for a more compact variant.
The benefits of a Welltherm IR heating panel in your home
An important benefit is the ability to organise heating room by room. You can give a study its own programme and use the bathroom at different times. This provides clarity when family members have different routines or a room is used for only part of the day. However, the controls must be suitable and correctly configured.
Warmth where you spend time
Targeted warmth can be pleasant at a reading chair, workstation or seating area. You do not automatically need to change the settings in every other room. This can help align usage more closely with your needs. Whether it also uses less energy depends on what you replace, how long the panel operates and how much heat the room needs.
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A cold room takes time to warm up. The panel itself has a warm-up phase, and furniture, walls and the floor may still be cold. For lasting comfort, briefly switching on just before entering is therefore not always sufficient. A time programme or suitable heating routine may work better. We discuss this particularly for rooms left empty during the day.
Heating that suits your interior
The version can help incorporate technical equipment more discreetly into a room. Examples include a white panel against a light wall, a heated mirror above a washbasin or a coloured version matching the paintwork. Ceiling mounting leaves walls available for cupboards, art or windows. Every option nevertheless requires sufficient space for safe positioning.
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An image panel can create a personal appearance, but the image must not obstruct operation or use. The correct product range and available finish guide the selection. We assess the desired image and version before you choose. Attaching an arbitrary painting or your own covering over a standard panel is not a suitable way to achieve the same result.
Electric heating with insight into consumption
An IR panel uses electricity while heating. Its maximum output appears in the product specification. To estimate energy consumption, multiply that output in kilowatts by actual operating time in hours. The thermostat can switch the panel off intermittently; the number of hours a programme is active is therefore not always equal to the number of heating hours.
An example clarifies the distinction. A 600-watt panel uses 1.2 kWh during two hours of uninterrupted heating. The cost depends on your own electricity tariff. This example does not predict daily consumption in your home. A well-insulated room generally needs less additional heat than one with large losses, but usage and temperature settings remain important too.
A panel is also not a heat pump: the two technologies operate differently. If you already use an efficient heat pump, additional electric supplementary heating is not necessarily cheaper. Local comfort can sometimes still be a reason to choose an additional solution. For a practical calculation, read our article on Welltherm infrared heating consumption.
Choosing the right IR heating panel for each room
Begin with the room’s function. In a living room, you often spend several hours and move between seats. In a study, one desk may be the main occupied area. A bathroom has different requirements for positioning and electrical safety. The same floor area therefore does not automatically mean the same product choice.
Living room: capacity and heat distribution
For a living room, we consider dimensions, glazing, insulation and layout. An open connection to a kitchen or hallway can make the effective heating area larger than initially expected. With several seating positions, distributing heat across suitable panels may be more logical than placing one panel in an available corner. This requires a plan for both warmth and mounting.
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A metal or glass version can suit a restrained interior style. If wall space is scarce, we investigate a permitted ceiling solution. Consider pendant lights, beams, curtains and other features influencing the position. An attractive position on a design drawing becomes usable only when the fixings, clearances and electrical connection are also correct.
Bathroom: mirrors, towels and positioning
A heated mirror combines two functions in one location. Other bathroom versions offer possibilities for suitable towel accessories. We select these components for the relevant range; an arbitrary rail or a towel placed over an ordinary panel does not replace the intended solution. View our bathroom heating range and discuss the available space.
The electrical situation deserves extra attention here. The suitable protection rating and permitted location depend on the model and bathroom layout. Have the installer assess which zones and requirements apply. An IP rating alone is insufficient to permit every panel anywhere in a bathroom. Connections and controls must also suit the situation.
Workstation: personal comfort or the whole room
For a workstation, we first distinguish cold feet from a completely cold room. A dedicated desk solution exists for the footwell, whereas room heating requires panel selection and a capacity assessment for the room. A small workstation product does not automatically replace heating for the entire office. The objective determines which range to consider.
A desk, drawer unit and chair can influence heat distribution. Also allow for legroom and cables from computer equipment. Fixing must take place on a suitable substrate with the required clearances. Read more about this application in a Welltherm infrared panel under the desk.
Bedroom and other rooms
In a bedroom, the priority may be a comfortable moment while getting up or dressing. Another user may want to maintain a fixed temperature throughout the room. These wishes result in a different programme and potentially different capacity. Always position the panel according to its manual, even when a location close to the bed appears attractive from an interior design perspective.
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A hobby room, garden room or guest room also requires its own assessment. How often do you use the space, and how cold does it become while unoccupied? A room with extensive glazing or a detached building can lose relatively large amounts of heat. Provide this information before ordering based solely on a product photograph. This prevents appearance and heating requirements from becoming disconnected.
Your panel’s output, specifications and mounting
A good comparison begins with a complete product specification. “600 watts” alone is insufficient to determine whether a panel suits your project. You also need to know how much space it occupies, its weight, where mounting is permitted and which controls belong with it. Our catalogue presents these details clearly for each range and variant.
Determining the required output
For primary heating, capacity must suit the room’s heat loss under the selected design conditions. This requires construction and insulation details. A rough rule of thumb per square metre can support an initial conversation, but is not a reliable substitute for assessing your home. Differences are particularly significant with high ceilings, extensive glazing or poor insulation.
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For supplementary heating, selection starts with the objective: which existing heating remains, where do you want additional comfort and when? The result need not deliver the same room temperature as a primary heating system. Therefore, clearly state your expectations. We align capacity and positioning accordingly so that an additional solution is assessed as such.
Comparing Welltherm IR heating panels by specification
- Output and product code: select the exact variant, not merely the product family name.
- Dimensions and weight: check available space and the mounting substrate’s load-bearing capacity.
- Front and finish: choose the material, colour or image option within the range’s possibilities.
- Mounting: check whether wall, ceiling or a specific stand is permitted for this model.
- Connections and controls: determine which cable, receiver and thermostat belong with the version.
- Protection rating and operating environment: have suitability for the selected position assessed.
Also check what is supplied and which components are needed separately. A lighting frame, recess frame or safety accessory must be suitable for the selected panel. Glass may require specific securing components for ceiling mounting. Always use the exact range’s manual; similar dimensions do not mean fixings are interchangeable without checking.
Choosing wall or ceiling mounting
For wall mounting, an unobstructed position matters. Large furniture, textiles and doors must not hinder the installation. Consider future use too: might a cupboard later occupy a currently clear position? A panel forms part of the room layout. The design must account for how you actually furnish and use the space.
Ceiling mounting involves requirements for the substrate, fixings and securing arrangement. Plasterboard or a suspended ceiling is not sufficient to support the weight without assessment. Have the structure and correct mounting materials assessed. Recess installation is possible only with a suitable combination and in accordance with its documentation. Also read our guide to mounting a Welltherm infrared panel on the ceiling.
Selecting suitable controls
A thermostat measures temperature at its own location. Positioning in direct sunlight, beside a heat source or in a draught can influence control. A suitable measurement position gives a better picture of the occupied area. Then select a programme matching work, sleep and absence. Adjust it based on your experience and measured consumption.
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Our precon plug system helps make connections between compatible components straightforward. This involves the combination of panel, receiver and thermostat. A plug connection alone does not guarantee that any controller is suitable. App operation and other functions depend on the selected system. We establish beforehand which functions you want and which components are required.
Welltherm quality and advice from HeatXL
Welltherm develops and manufactures in Lüdenscheid, Germany. Product design, finish and technical documentation together form the basis of our range. In the Benelux, HeatXL helps turn these possibilities into a practical proposal. We consider the complete application rather than the panel alone.
Quality features in their proper context
Product selection requires clear information about markings and quality features. Our metal PB range carries the EIHA quality label for infrared heating. We present that label with its corresponding product range. It is not a reason to apply the same claim indiscriminately to every thermostat, mirror or accessory. Check which information applies to the particular product you select.
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CE marking and other quality marks each have their own meaning too. Use the product documentation to assess applicable information. A logo does not replace an installation manual or make an unsuitable installation safe. We help connect these features with the product you wish to use, so your choice rests on specific details.
Warranty and support
The relevant Welltherm infrared panels have a five-year manufacturer’s warranty according to the warranty conditions. Account for these conditions and potential differences for controls and accessories. Keep your product details, purchase information and documentation. When a question arises, this helps us identify the version and suitable support more quickly.
Further information is available on our warranty page. Photographs of mounting and the controls used are also useful for technical questions. Explain beforehand how you use the panel and what you observe. This helps discuss capacity, settings or installation specifically without immediately assuming a fault.
A proposal that suits your room
Send dimensions, a floor plan or several photographs, and insulation information. State whether heating is already present, your desired temperature and when you use the room. Add your preferences for material and mounting. These details let us assess the technical possibilities and desired appearance together.
Our product catalogue in the shop helps you explore versions. Products are offered on request; a suitable proposal clarifies the selected variants and required components. To get started with a specific plan, request a quotation for your Welltherm solution. A complete proposal prevents having to find an essential control or mounting provision afterwards.
From product selection to a suitable heating proposal
A Welltherm IR heating panel works best when technology and furnishings align. Begin with the room and intended use. Then choose capacity, a suitable position and the version. Finally, check that fixings, connections and controls together form a complete system.
You need not make these decisions alone. Our catalogue, product information and HeatXL’s support help you compare the possibilities step by step. Share your plans and receive a proposal matching your room. This allows you to choose a panel for both its appearance and practical comfort.
Frequently asked questions about the Welltherm IR heating panel
Does an IR heating panel always save energy?
No. The result depends on existing heating, insulation, temperature and duration of use. Targeted supplementary heating may help limit consumption in some situations, but additional heating can also require additional electricity. Therefore, compare the complete situation and use measured operating hours where available.
Can I heat my entire home with Welltherm panels?
This requires a heating design for all rooms involved, with sufficient output and a suitable electrical installation. Also assess insulation, controllability and expected costs. Domestic hot water provision is a separate choice. Selecting an individual panel therefore differs from designing a complete system for the home.
Does the surface become hot?
The surface becomes warm and can become hot depending on the version. Respect the operating and mounting requirements and prevent unwanted contact, particularly with children or vulnerable users. Position the panel suitably and do not cover it. Warm operation is not a reason to omit protective measures.
Which is better: a metal or glass panel?
There is no universally best material. Select the range that suits your project technically and visually. Compare output, dimensions, weight, permitted mounting and finish. A glass mirror can offer a dual function, while metal can suit a discreet wall or ceiling solution.
Do I need a thermostat?
The required controls depend on the product and application. For room heating, select suitable temperature control with the intended components. Not every receiver or thermostat suits every panel. Have the combination established beforehand, including desired time programmes and any remote operation.
How long does a panel last?
Service life depends on the product, installation and use. Correct mounting and operation according to the manual help keep the panel in good condition. The warranty conditions describe coverage for the relevant products. Correct mounting, suitable use and following the manual remain important.
Is infrared heating a treatment for health conditions?
Our panels are heating products for comfort in buildings. We do not present them as treatments for health conditions. A pleasant sensation of warmth is personal. Ventilation, moisture management and any symptoms require their own approach; a heating panel does not replace professional advice on these matters.
Can a panel operate alongside my existing central heating?
A supplementary application is possible if product selection and installation are suitable. Determine which heating maintains the baseline temperature and where you want additional warmth. Coordinate controls with usage. Discuss costs too, because operating two systems simultaneously does not automatically mean a lower energy bill.
