Experiences with infrared heaters

The question is whether it would be more sensible in terms of the future (both economically and environmentally) to rely on electricity.

For that, you need to know exactly what you do. I would (and do) rely on a heat pump, because the electricity is not wasted 1:1 there (disregarding the type of heat - see ), but converted into heat at least 1:3 up to 1:5. With support from photovoltaics.

So accordingly, only in the bathroom or individual rooms?

Only as a supplement in the bathroom, when it should get really warm quickly – with the normal underfloor heating it is probably already 22-24 degrees.

We currently live in a newly built house of approximately 140 m² with a heat pump and underfloor heating. However, we are interested in both photovoltaic systems and infrared heating. Especially because these can be well integrated into the living environment and save space.

Another point is that the heat pump causes a lot of noise outside, which is an aspect that would be eliminated with infrared heating. Therefore, it would be nice to have a concrete comparison (costs of x with a heat pump compared to infrared or similar).

I know this from (otherwise) unheated - or only heated by the bathroom stove - bathrooms

yes, it is very pleasant when you do not want to freeze in the morning while shaving/before and after showering in an old building without central heating

and it might also be more efficient to convert electricity into IR radiation for only 10 or 20 minutes a day than to keep a bathroom at temperature permanently?

can probably tell you from experience. I can only partially confirm, as I am planning two such panels as an additional bathroom heater and have used them as emergency heating for a few weeks. So, these things do produce warmth, which I find pleasant. My consumption was quite high, but that was due to ruthless underdimensioning since they are only supposed to serve as support heaters for me.

However, we are interested in both photovoltaics and infrared heating.

You just have to keep in mind that the IR heating, as mentioned above, only delivers power on a 1:1 basis. The photovoltaic system will provide little to no output during the winter months, meaning when you need the heating the most. The entire electricity demand will ultimately be purchased at a high cost. Even during the transitional months, the photovoltaics will only contribute a small part to the IR heating, and neither an (uneconomical) nor however oversized storage will change that.

Especially since it can be well integrated into the living environment and is space-saving.

Are you sure? Did you come to that conclusion yourself, or is it just taken from the advertising brochure? For example, I wouldn’t know where I could hang the necessary "multitude" of elements without significantly restricting myself in terms of furnishing, etc.

Another point is that the heat pump causes a lot of noise outside

Who says that? The current models are sometimes so quiet that you don’t notice them a few meters away. Of course, the installation location also plays a role here. Assuming the location can be chosen so that even the "louder" systems shouldn’t disturb anyone, why not?

Infrared heating. Especially since it can be well integrated into the living environment and is space-saving.

Nothing can be installed better than underfloor heating. Nothing on the walls that could somehow disturb the living environment. I find the wall panels massively disturbing. Otherwise, nothing fits on the wall (wardrobe, decoration, couch stands underneath, etc.).

Therefore, it would be nice to have a concrete comparison once (costs of x for heat pump compared to infrared etc.)

Factor 3-5 more expensive than with a heat pump.