For Policy Makers
KEY UK INFRARED HEATING DEVELOPMENTS IN THE PAST YEAR
The UK has seen a significant increase in engagement around IR heating policy and technical assessment in the last year. Most notably, in late 2024, the UK government Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) invited the UK IR industry to collaborate on developing a laboratory-based performance testing protocol for low-temperature IR heaters. The key goal: to determine whether IR, when assessed using operative temperature (rather than air temperature) as the control metric, demonstrates energy savings and dynamic thermal performance sufficient to justify its own category in the upcoming Home Energy Model (HEM).
Currently, IR heaters in the UK have been grouped under the generic “direct acting electric heaters” category within the Standard Assessment Procedures (SAP) for assessing the energy performance of new homes. This means that the potential energy savings from IR heaters is not recognised. The development of the Home Energy Model (HEM) is due to replace SAP and will use operative temperature as a standard temperature control metric.
7 UK based IR companies engaged consultants to establish a laboratory based test protocol which will be used to assess the energy performance of IR heaters compared to electric convection heaters. This protocol was drafted in consultation with leading academics in heating from 3 UK universities. The protocol consists of measuring the energy efficiency of IR technologies in both dynamic (start up and cool own) and steady state tests and at various levels of heat loss.
At the time of writing (August 2025), the draft test protocol is in the processes of seeking approval from DESNZ and the UK Building Research Establishment (BRE). If approved a pilot testing phase will take place during which IR and non-IR technologies will be evaluated. EN:60675/3 radiant efficiency will form part of the test to categorise IR and non-IR heater types. If pilot testing is successful, full scale testing will be required by manufacturers to establish a separate technology category within HEM. However, given that there is currently no UK lab that is equipped to perform the testing and funding will be needed for this, this is likely to be a medium-term project that may take several years.
TOWARDS A UK EIHA AFFILIATE GROUP?
Currently Herschel Infrared are a direct member of EIHA and there is no UK IR trade association. We are looking into the formation of a UK IR trade association with the intention of this becoming an affiliate member of EIHA. Despite being outside the EU, the UK’s product standards are still shaped by European regulation, and UK developments are increasingly aligned with broader EU efforts to recognise and categorise IR heating technologies.
We believe the direction of travel in the UK is positive, and that the progress being made–particularly around formal testing, regulation, and policy recognition of IR–offers valuable insights and alignment for other European countries pursuing similar goals. A UK affiliate group within the EIHA framework would ensure this shared momentum is captured and mutual benefits are realised.