Electric heating

Electric heating solutions are intended for heating residential, commercial, technical and industrial premises, maintaining local heat, and protecting pipes, floors, entrances and other areas from freezing. This category includes different heating technologies – from electric radiators and infrared panels to heating cables, underfloor heating components and electric air curtains.

The appropriate electric heating solution should be selected according to the purpose of the heated area, required heating capacity, installation location, electrical supply parameters, control method and environmental conditions. In some applications, rapid heating of the room air is most important, while in others the priority is direct surface heating, frost protection or reducing cold-air infiltration through doors.

Radiators
Wall-mounted and freestanding electric heaters

Infrared heating
Infrared heating panels

Heating cables
For frost protection and local heating

Underfloor heating
Electric floor heating systems

Air curtains
Warm-air barrier for doors and gates

Control
Thermostats and temperature regulation

What electric heating solutions are used?

Solution	Main purpose	Typical applications
Electric radiators and convectors	Room air heating	Apartments, houses, offices, workshops, utility rooms
Infrared heaters	Heating people and surfaces by radiation	Residential, commercial and selected industrial areas
Self-regulating heating cables	Frost protection and temperature maintenance	Pipes, gutters, tanks and process pipelines
Electric underfloor heating	Floor surface and room heating	Bathrooms, kitchens, living spaces and renovation projects
Electric warm air curtains	Reducing cold-air infiltration	Shops, offices, warehouses, entrances and gates

Electric radiators and convectors

Electric radiators and convectors are among the simplest ways to heat a room using electricity. Depending on the model, the heater can be wall-mounted or freestanding.

Some models include an integrated thermostat, temperature control, overheat protection or frost-protection function. Such heaters can be used either as the main heat source for smaller rooms or as supplementary heating.

Infrared heating

Infrared heaters and heating panels transfer a significant part of the heat by radiation. Heat is transferred directly to people, floors, walls and other surfaces, which differs from conventional convective air heating.

Infrared heating can be used in residential, commercial and selected industrial environments, especially where zonal or local heating is required.

Correct installation location is important:
The effectiveness of infrared heating depends on heater power, installation height, distance to the heated area and whether any objects obstruct the radiation path.

Self-regulating heating cables

Self-regulating heating cables are used where pipes, gutters, structures or process equipment must be protected from freezing or maintained at a certain temperature.

Their heat output depends on ambient temperature: as the cable becomes colder, heating output increases; as it becomes warmer, output decreases. This makes them especially suitable for heating pipelines and other elongated objects.

Self-regulation does not always mean that a thermostat is unnecessary:
In professional systems, a thermostat or other controller may still be used to optimise energy consumption, activate the system only when required, or maintain a specific process temperature.

Electric underfloor heating

Electric underfloor heating is used to maintain comfortable floor temperature and provide room heating. Systems may use heating cables, heating mats and thermostats with floor or room temperature sensors.

Thermostats may be mechanical, digital or programmable, while some models support Wi-Fi control and mobile applications.

Electric warm air curtains

Electric air curtains are installed above doors or gates and create a directed airflow that helps reduce cold outdoor air entering the premises and warm indoor air escaping.

When selecting an air curtain, it is important to consider not only the electric heating capacity, but also door height, door width, airflow volume, installation height, building pressure and wind exposure.

How to choose an electric heating solution?

Criterion	What should be considered?
Heating purpose	Primary heating, supplementary heating, frost protection or zonal heating
Required capacity	Heat losses, room size, insulation, outdoor temperature
Power supply	230V or 400V, available electrical capacity, cable and protective devices
Installation location	Wall, floor, ceiling, pipe, roof, door or gate
Environmental conditions	Humidity, dust, outdoor temperature and required IP protection
Control	Thermostat, timer, sensor, Wi-Fi or building automation
Electrical installation	Total heating capacity, circuit current, conductor cross-section and protection

Where is electric heating used?

Residential premises – apartments, houses, bathrooms, kitchens and holiday homes.
Offices and commercial premises – workplaces, shops, salons and customer areas.
Warehouses and workshops – room heating or heating of specific work zones.
Industry – maintaining temperature of process pipelines, tanks and equipment.
Water systems – protection of pipes against freezing.
Building entrances – air curtains for doors and gates.
Underfloor heating systems – comfort or primary space heating.
Roofs and gutters – reduction of snow and ice formation using suitable heating systems.

Advantages

Simple infrastructure – many solutions do not require water piping or a boiler room.
Fast control – heating can be used only where and when needed.
Easy zonal heating.
Wide equipment selection – from small heaters to industrial systems.
Easy integration with thermostats and automation.
No fuel required at the heating location.
Individual rooms or zones can be controlled accurately.

Limitations

Electricity consumption depends on actual heat losses and operating time.
Larger systems may require significant electrical supply capacity.
Insufficiently sized heating capacity may not provide the required temperature.
Different heating technologies require different design approaches.
Suitable IP protection must be selected for damp and outdoor areas.
High-power heaters may require a dedicated electrical circuit and additional control equipment.

Quick selection guide

Requirement	Typical solution
Quickly heat a room	Electric radiator or convector
Heat a specific area or surface	Infrared heater or panel
Protect a pipe from freezing	Self-regulating heating cable
Heat floors	Floor heating cable or mat + thermostat
Reduce cold air entering through a doorway	Electric air curtain
Automatically maintain temperature	Thermostat or temperature controller

Frequently asked questions

Can electric heating be used as the main heating system?
Yes, provided that the electrical supply capacity and heating capacity are correctly selected according to the building heat losses.

How should the required heater power be calculated?
For accurate sizing, the heat losses of the room should be calculated. Floor area alone is not sufficient – insulation, ceiling height, windows, outdoor temperature and ventilation also matter.

How does infrared heating differ from convective heating?
A convector mainly heats the air, while an infrared heater transfers a larger part of its heat directly to people and surfaces by radiation.

What is a self-regulating heating cable used for?
It is most commonly used to protect pipes, gutters, tanks and other equipment from freezing or to maintain temperature.

Does every electric heater require a thermostat?
Not always. Some heaters have an integrated thermostat or controller. In other systems, an external thermostat may be useful or necessary for more accurate and efficient control.

Can a high-power electric heater be connected to a standard socket?
Not always. The heater power, current, manufacturer-specified connection method, cable size and protective device must be checked.

Important design and electrical safety information

Electric heating equipment must be selected according to the specific conditions of the installation. Before installation, heat losses, heater capacity, supply voltage, available electrical power, cable cross-section, protective devices, installation location and environmental conditions must be evaluated.

High-power or permanently installed heating systems should be electrically connected by a qualified electrician in accordance with the product instructions and project requirements.

Electric heating – electric radiators, convectors, infrared heaters, heating panels, self-regulating heating cables, underfloor heating systems and electric air curtains for residential, commercial, technical and industrial premises. When selecting a solution, it is important to consider not only heating capacity, but also heat losses, installation location, control, available electrical supply and environmental conditions.