We received the opportunity to delve into Joseph Mitchell's journey of transforming his garden office, built as a bespoke space joint onto his new-build house, into a cosy and energy-efficient workspace using infrared panels.
Joseph's search for an efficient heating solution led him to infrared panels, which not only allowed him to achieve the look he was after, but also provided cost-effective and comfortable warmth.
We explore Joseph's decision-making process, the installation of the panels, and the amazing benefits he experienced in his garden office.
The Background
Joseph's garden office was built as a totally bespoke space, measuring approximately 14ft x 6ft. As a new-build house, there was limited space available for the installation of heating systems, though this did allow him to incorporate some really heavy duty insulation.
“I had the whole thing designed from scratch from a friend as a bespoke office space, so I had pretty much total control over the project from start to finish.”
To make sure the space retained heat, Joseph installed 100mm celotex insulation, creating a well-insulated environment.
Discovering Infrared
After deciding that traditional gas-powered heating wouldn’t be cost-effective for his garden office, Joseph spoke with his electrician to explore alternative heating options.
During his research, he found plenty of electric heaters, but it was the Image Infrared Panels that caught his attention due to their appealing looks compared to standard radiators.
“Gas just didn’t make sense as the cost of installation would have been too high, so I sat down with my electrician to look at electric options. We found loads, but to be honest it was the look of the picture infrared panels that really convinced me to go for them.”
Installing The Panels
In February 2023, while the garden office was still freezing during the peak winter period, Joseph purchased the Nexus Wi-Fi image panel.
The heater proved to be highly effective in warming the space while the rest of the work was being carried out, despite it being near freezing outside! The aesthetics of the panel also went as far as enhancing the design and feel Joseph envisioned for his office.
“We had a pretty cold February this year, but the panels did such an amazing job of keeping the room warm while we were finishing off the work in there, to be honest we could barely believe it!”
Doubling Down On Infrared
Given that Joseph’s office was split between the office space and a small shed area, he decided to expand his office by claiming more space from the shed.
As a result, he required an additional heater to ensure the space remained warm. Given how good the first panel was at heating the area, Joseph opted for another Image IR Panel to top up the heating. The energy efficiency of the infrared panels was a crucial factor in Joseph's decision-making process.
“The first panel worked so well, it was a really easy choice going for the second.”
Crunching The Numbers
After installation and having now begun using the office, Joseph discovered their efficiency first hand - he only needed to run them for approximately 30-45 minutes in the morning and afternoon to maintain a comfortable temperature.
“I’d say it’s on for about half an hour in the mornings? Maybe 45 minutes max, and most days I don’t need to switch them on again, sometimes on colder days I might need to stick it on for another half hour in the afternoon, but it just works so well with the insulation.”
The cost of running the panels was minimal, around 20-30p per day. Over the course of the day, the total cost for heating the entire office averaged around £3, so this included monitors, lights, laptops, and any other appliances - with infrared only accounting for around 10% of the total energy costs.
Future Plans
Impressed by the performance and benefits of infrared heating, Joseph would strongly recommend others to at least try infrared technology for their heating needs.
He pointed out the relatively low upfront cost and exceptional heating capabilities.
“I’d say to people to at least try it as there isn’t much to lose. Yeah they’re not £30, but they’re not £500 either. I mean, for a couple hundred pounds, you can see how it works for you. It’s better than spending thousands on a totally new system, and is just a lot less risky because of the cost. And for me, they work so well and look great.”
He’s so happy with his panels in fact, that Joseph is now considering installing infrared panels throughout his entire house, especially as he has plans of installing solar panels for what would essentially be free energy.
Wrapping Up
Joseph’s journey with infrared panels in his garden office showcases the remarkable advantages of infrared heating. By embracing this IR, Joseph achieved a cosy and energy-efficient workspace while seamlessly integrating the panels into his desired aesthetic design.
The efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and good looks of infrared panels have not only satisfied Joseph's heating needs, but also inspired him to install them throughout his entire home in the future.
Joseph's story serves as a testament to the transformative power of infrared heating and encourages others to explore its potential in creating comfortable and efficient living spaces.
If you're feeling inspired by Joseph's story and want to explore how infrared can transform your interior space, simply give us a call on 0116 321 4124, or send us an email to sales@suryaheating.co.uk.
You can get social with us too by giving our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages a follow!