Longest established and leading manufacturer of infrared heaters

We could get really geeky on this but will try to keep it simple…

Whilst both Herschel Inspire and Select XLS panel ranges have different construction methods, they both do the same thing which is to convert electricity to emit radiant heat called “far infrared”. Surface temperatures of the Inspire and Select XLS Panels average 100 degrees centigrade and are designed to gently warm people and buildings.

Herschel Advantage and Aspect range utilise ceramic plate emitters containing nickel wire cores.

Herschel Far Infrared emitters emit in the spectral range of 3 – 10 microns with no light at all.

The Herschel Advantage and Aspect Space heaters have surface temperatures of around 400 degrees centigrade and have a higher throw and spread to heat larger areas.

The majority of the heat produced from all of our panels is “radiant”, meaning the energy is used to directly heat objects and not the air.

Herschel Infrared panels are easy to install and come with a very comprehensive set of instructions. As Infrared panels are an electric installation, they should only be carried out by a suitably qualified electrician.  Herschel has a network of Accredited Dealers who would be happy to help you.

Things to consider when planning to install an infrared panel are:

• Provision of a suitably-sized electrical source. If you are unsure, seek your electrician’s advice;
• Locate the panel according to operating heights and minimum separation distances specified in the instruction manual;
• Ensure enough strength exists in the wall / ceiling where you are going to hang the heater;
• Follow any other precautions listed in the instructions.

Installation hardware and guides for measuring and installing the mounting brackets are included in the box with the heaters. Instructions are also always available for download from the website.

This makes Infrared significantly easier to install than oil or gas boilers, heat pumps, underfloor heating etc and implies only minor disruption to your house.

Click here for a video on how to install a Select panel.

Is Infrared harmful at all?

Are Infrared Panels Safe to touch?

There is a risk of injury from touching any form of heater and Herschel infrared panels are no different. However, a key benefit of Herschel panels, unlike conventional heaters, is that they can be mounted higher up on walls or ceilings – reducing the likelihood of accidentally touching them or falling against them. We always advise this, especially in areas where young children or the elderly are present.

Our Herschel Inspire and Select panel heaters (excluding our Herschel IR space heating range; Summit, Aspect, IPR4) have surface temperatures of 85 – 95 degrees centigrade. If you do touch one of these panels you will perceive this as hot on initial contact but, provided you do not continue to touch the panel, are unlikely to scald or burn.

The reason that you can touch Herschel panels without immediately injuring yourself is because a Herschel infrared panel typically has a heat energy or “watt density” of 0.09 watts per cm2 – an energy level that the skin can absorb and conduct away from the area of contact.

It is not the temperature that does the damage but the heat energy in the object.

A kettle, for example, typically has a watt density of between 15 – 30 watts per cm2. The skin cannot absorb and conduct away this level of energy and consequently scalds on the area of contact. Yet, both the Herschel IR panel and the kettle are close to 100C.

Warning: Please note that prolonged contact with any heater, Herschel included, will result in injury. Please also note that the Herschel IR space heating range (Advantage, Aspect and IPR4) all utilise Ceramic elements which run at far higher temperatures and would cause immediate injury if touched. These heaters must always be mounted in accordance with our instructions & never be touched when switched on or for 30 minutes after use.

In order to emit far infrared at the right waveband, our heaters are either “on” or “off” (it is not possible to vary the temperature of the heater itself). So some kind of controller is needed with your infrared panel.

We do not build thermostats into our heaters because it is the temperature of the room that is important to your sense of comfort. Built in thermostats tend to over-read the heater temperature and under-read room temperature because the close proximity of the thermostat to the heater means that it is impossible to correctly measure the room temperature. So we do not believe built-in controls are so effective plus using built in controls leaves little choice for integration into other control systems and whole building control systems.

Herschel offers XLS thermostats for control of Select XLS panels and the Herschel IQ controls system for Inspire panels; heater control solutions especially designed to control Herschel Infrared heaters. Precise room by room control from wherever you are, providing you with optimum comfort levels whilst minimising your energy consumption.

Herschel control systems conform to the EU Eco Design Legislation (also known as LOT 20), granting you up to 8% more efficiency.

Please also see FAQ on how to pair the iQ Receiver and Thermostat.