The Ideal Heating System for Social Housing and Housing
Infrared - the perfect alternative to heat pumps
• Comfort VarioPower™ Panel
Herschel Comfort VarioPower™
With integrated InfraSense® precision control
The world’s smartest, most efficient and most sustainable infrared heating system.
Brand new for 2026, our Comfort VarioPower™ heating system features InfraSense®, the first control system of its kind.
InfraSense® utilises advanced sensor technology that maps and measures the average radiant temperature of the surfaces heated by the infrared heater, the relative humidity level, air quality and presence of people.
The readings produce an “operative*” temperature which is used to control the output of the heater to maximise human comfort levels and minimise energy costs.
*Operative temperature is calculated as an average of air temperature and mean radiant temperature (MRT), providing a more accurate measure of thermal comfort.
The patent-protected Herschel system offers housing providers an unrivalled heating system for delivering energy-efficient, affordable, low carbon comfort for residents – ensuring warmer, healthier homes fit for the future.
The InfraSense® Difference
Continuous, real-time smart sensing technology that maps and reads the effective heated area every second
Accurate Thermal Comfort Control
Air temperature alone is only one reading of thermal comfort. The temperature of the surrounding environment (the “Mean Radiant Temperature”) also has a significant impact on how warm or cold you feel. This is especially important with infrared heaters as they directly warm the target area.
InfraSense® goes beyond conventional air and black bulb thermostats by monitoring both the mean radiant temperature (MRT) and air temperature - providing a true indicator of perceived warmth (this average is the operative temperature).
Zone-by-Zone Precision
Set a target temperature for each zoneInfraSense® automatically adjusts heater power to maintain optimal comfort. Zones can be individual rooms or areas within a room or a large open space. No other system can measure and control the effective heated area of infrared heaters with such accuracy.
Demand-Driven Heating
Only occupied zones are heated, ensuring consistent comfort and no wasted energy in empty spaces.
Energy Efficiency Built In
Smart algorithms prevent wasted energy by avoiding over or under-heating and reducing power when full output isn’t needed to maintain the target temperature.
Ease of Installation
InfraSense® is available as an easy install Wi-Fi IoT solution or hard wired to our control hub. Data from the system is stored securely in the cloud.
Independently verified tests demonstrate that Comfort VarioPower™ with InfraSense® delivers a 23% saving on energy consumption over a market leading convection heater.
Presence detection saves energy by only fully heating rooms when in use; Occupants can set daily budgets with real-time energy use and costs reported; Simple to use touch-screen control including smart schedules, intelligent modes and adjustment of power levels from individual heater to the entire building. InfraSense® can also be controlled via App or web browser; No separate room thermostats, minimal install costs and disruption.
Control At Your Fingertips
Advanced Temperature Control and Budget Management
InfraSense® dynamically modulates panel heat output to precisely maintain the target temperature to within +/- 0.1C and features built-in customisable presence detection. This is why InfraSense® maximises thermal comfort and energy efficiency. With real-time energy monitoring, residents can set budgets and reduce their energy costs affordably and effectively. The Herschel system supports integrations into building management systems with APIs available providing landlords with insights into energy costs and consumption across their portfolio.
Ultimate Control
Benefit from ultimate control and continued enhancements with InfraSense®. InfraSense® includes machine learning and AI, energy use reporting, measurement of humidity levels, air quality detection, and integration with battery storage, time of use electricity tariffs and solar*.
*Note that some InfraSense® benefits are available at additional cost / subscription. Please talk to your Herschel representative for more details.
Herschel provides remote access and support on InfraSense® from its UK based national service hub.
InfraSense® scans and senses every second
• Total Cost and Energy Cost History
• Total Cost and Energy Consumption History
Herschel Comfort VarioPower™
The most efficient, eco-friendly infrared panel on the market
Over 95% recyclable • Certified to IEC 60675 standard for radiant efficiency • Wall or ceiling mounting • Swift Comfort Plus Technology • German heating element • Fully repairable • Zero maintenance • Made in the UK with over 75% Welsh materials
Built-in Sensor
• Integrated sensor for advanced temperature control and detection monitoring
UK Made Insulation
• Natural volcanic basalt wool insulation
• Manufactured in Wales
• 100% recyclable
• Low environmental impact
• High thermal efficiency
Thermal Safety
• 2 Integrated thermal safety switches
One-Piece Mounting Bracket
• One piece central fixing bracket for easy and secure installation
• Compatible with wall or ceiling mounting
• 100% recyclable British galvanised steel from Port Talbot, Wales
Steel Powder-Coated Front
• Specialist high-temperature resistant powder coating (RAL 9016) applied in Wales
• Surface temp 95-110°C
• 100% recyclable British steel from Port Talbot, Wales
Swift Comfort Plus System
• High performance, long life German made heating element
• Extremely rapid start-up times
• Warm up in 5 minutes
• Special grade aluminium foil to deliver optimum infrared spread
• Uniform heat dispersion
Radiant Reflective Back
• Specially treated radiant reflective stainless steel
• Reduces rearward heat loss by over 20%
• 100% recyclable steel from Port Talbot, Wales
High Efficiency Heating: 20%+ energy savings on convection
The patented Comfort VarioPower™ infrared panel incorporates 3 power levels, enabling a faster warm-up and ensuring a more consistent temperature is maintained. Independently verified tests demonstrate that Comfort VarioPower™ with InfraSense® delivers a 23% saving on energy consumption over a market leading convection heater. Significant additional savings can be achieved by using our other smart features in InfraSense® including presence detection, zoning, use with our Energy Storage System and integration with time of use tariffs.
The Herschel Comfort VarioPower™ system has 3 patents and is currently in the process of Appendix Q/SAP 10.3 application.
LCA assessed for embodied carbon – up to 3 x less embodied carbon than an equivalent heat pump system. Ultra-low embodied carbon of just 24-94kg/CO2e (215-1250W respectively).
Comfort has been tested to IEC 60675 for radiant efficiency, certifying its high radiant efficiency performance and is the only UK infrared panel range to have been awarded the European Quality Compliance Label. This certifies that products are manufactured in compliance with European Factory Procedure ECS/CIG 021-024 and meet the radiation efficiency requirements as set out in IEC 60675-3:2020.
Why Infrared Heating?
The ideal choice for residents and housing providers
Infrared heating offers an affordable, future-proof heating system – helping providers address the challenges of fuel poverty with improved energy efficiency, comfort and healthier living environments.
Better for you
Our infrared heating technology uses the heat humans were designed for. A fresher type of heat that you’ll wish you’d switched to sooner.
Better for buildings
Our infrared heaters drive out damp and mould, reducing condensation to maintain a more healthy living environment.
Far infrared is 100% natural heating; Heats the building fabric, not air, retaining heat for longer creating better thermal comfort;
Far infrared heating warms walls and keeps them dry, minimising the problems of damp and mould;
Far infrared minimises airflows reducing the circulation of dust and allergens creating a healthier living environment; Zero servicing requirement utilising long life components;
Healthier Homes: Infrared fights damp and mould
Awaab’s Law introduces clear legal responsibilities for social housing landlords to investigate and resolve serious housing hazards, including damp and mould, within strict timeframes. The law represents a major change in accountability and responsibility, setting higher standards for maintaining safe, healthy living conditions for tenants.
One of the most common causes of damp and mould in homes is condensation. Condensation occurs when warm, moist air hits a cold surface. If left untreated it can develop into black mould, exposure to which can result in serious health hazards for occupants, as well as causing damage to building fabric and interiors.
Infrared heating gently warms people, objects and the fabric of the building (the ceilings, floors and walls) directly rather than warming the air. By maintaining a higher temperature in the material of a building and a lower temperature in the air, moisture is discouraged. As a result, moisture is less likely to settle on surfaces, helping to discourage the conditions in which damp and mould develop.
By heating homes with infrared technology, landlords can reduce the risk of damp and mould issues, helping to improve living conditions for tenants and meet the higher housing standards expected under Awaab’s Law.
Radiant environments are healthier environments.
Better for our planet 100% electric. Power with a renewable tariff for CO2 free warmth. Highly recyclable, simple to install, efficient heating.
Simple, quick installation with minimal disruption; Lower carbon footprint - a Life Cycle Assessment showed infrared adds less embodied carbon to the environment than a heat pump;
Unprecedented ability to zone and control, minimising energy use;
Simple to control with real-time energy monitoring for residents and housing providers.
Funding Opportunities for Social Housing
Local authority programmes such as Warm Homes: Local Grant (2025-2028) and ECO4 provide funding to improve energy efficiency and low carbon heating in social housing. Because these schemes are delivered locally, councils can support the most appropriate solution for each property, including infrared heating in suitable homes. To explore eligibility for Herschel Infrared heating grants contact your local council to check availability under the Warm Homes: Local Grant (or similar regional schemes like Warmer Homes) or reach out to your energy supplier to discuss ECO4 support.
Why Herschel Infrared?
As the UK’s longest established and most trusted manufacturer of infrared heaters, we offer energy efficient heating solutions for domestic, heritage, commercial, industrial and outdoor environments.
UK Production
Our state of the art UK production facility, in Bristol, marks our ongoing commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and providing sustainable heating solutions to the market. From our material sourcing to our highly innovative control systems, our focus is on sharing the benefits that infrared heating can play in supporting decarbonisation.
Installation Services
The Herschel service incorporates specification, supply and installation services, ensuring seamless consultation and support throughout the project.
Commitment to Customer Satisfaction
The Herschel brand is renowned for its exceptional customer service, people and pioneering technology. With the largest UK stock, infrared showrooms and the UK’s first infrared experience lounge and climate chamber, our team is committed to delivering the highest levels of service from start to finish.
Unrivalled Specification Service
Our team has unrivalled expertise to deliver heating specifications for all environments. Using the latest technology, we offer both desktop and on-site surveys. In addition to the UK, our global specialists offer infrared heating systems tailored to the unique needs of different regions within the EU, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America and North America.
Exceptional Quality & Innovation
As the UK’s sole representative in the European Infrared Heating Alliance, we are the only UK manufacturer to receive the prestigious European Quality Compliance Label, certifying high radiant efficiency performance. Through our role as Executive Member of the Sustainable Energy Association, we are working to evolve energy policy in collaboration with leading industry influencers - ensuring infrared is firmly recognised as a vital technology to help meet climate targets.
The Full Electric Proposition
Delivering homes fit for the future
Combine Herschel’s highly controllable, energy-efficient infrared heating systems with its spacesaving electric hot water HydroNova system. Power by renewable energy sources* or green energy tariff and combine with Herschel’s Energy Storage System to lower carbon footprints and future proof properties against rising fuel prices.
*Herschel can recommend a solar PV partner.
A readily available, practical and futureproof reality that combines comfort, sustainability, design and affordability. The smart route to net zero.
HydroNova Hot Water System
A compact, tankless hot water system delivering mainspressure hot water on demand using advanced phase change technology. Maintenance-free and solar-ready, HydroNova eliminates standby heat loss, providing consistent, energy-efficient hot water on demand. 10-year warranty included.
Energy Storage System
High-performance, modular battery storage solution engineered for safe, reliable, and scalable energy management. The integrated large display provides clear, real-time visibility of operating status, while optional cloud monitoring and remote upgrade capabilities support efficient maintenance and longterm optimisation.
