Solar Panels, Battery Storage and Infrared Heating: The Smarter Way to Power Your Home
As UK households look for ways to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and take greater control of their energy costs, attention is increasingly turning towards renewable electricity, home battery storage and smarter electric heating.
Solar panels and battery storage already offer homeowners a way to generate, store and manage their own electricity. But what happens when you combine these technologies with infrared heating?
By pairing on-site solar generation and home battery storage with targeted radiant heating, homeowners can create a more flexible energy system. Electricity generated during the day can be used directly, stored for later or drawn from the battery during more expensive electricity periods.
The result is a smarter approach to home heating, combining renewable energy, intelligent electricity management and the flexibility of infrared technology.
The Problem with Traditional Electric Heating
Generating your own electricity is only part of the equation. How efficiently and intelligently you use that electricity is just as important.
Heating the Entire Room
Traditional convection heaters work by warming the surrounding air. This air circulates around the room, eventually transferring heat to people and surfaces.
- Large volumes of air may need to be warmed.
- Warm air naturally rises towards ceilings.
- Heat can escape through open doors and draughts.
- Heating unused rooms can increase electricity consumption.
Heating Where It Matters
Infrared heating takes a different approach by delivering radiant energy directly to people and solid surfaces within its heating zone.
- Direct radiant warmth without waiting for the air to heat first.
- Targeted heating for occupied rooms and areas.
- Less reliance on circulating warm air.
- Flexible heating schedules and individual zones.
Important distinction: Infrared heaters are electric resistance heaters, meaning they convert electricity into heat. Their advantage is how that heat is delivered and controlled. Targeted heating and reduced operating hours can help lower overall consumption, rather than the technology producing more heat from each unit of electricity.
Why Infrared Heating Works Well with Home Battery Storage
When electricity is stored in a home battery, every kilowatt-hour matters. The way your heating system uses that stored energy can make a difference to how long your battery lasts and how much electricity you need to purchase from the grid.
01. Targeted Heating and Reduced Runtime
Rather than heating every room to the same temperature, infrared heaters can be used to warm specific occupied areas.
For example, you could heat your home office during the day, your living room in the evening and your bedroom before going to sleep.
With suitable controls and heating schedules, this approach can reduce unnecessary operating hours and avoid heating spaces that nobody is using.
02. Flexible Power Across Different Rooms
Heatir infrared bar heaters are available in outputs ranging from 1200W to 3000W, providing options for different room sizes and heating requirements.
Individual heaters can be controlled separately, allowing homeowners to manage when and where heating is required.
The aim is to match heating demand to actual occupancy, rather than continuously heating the entire property.
03. Smart Controls and Scheduling
Smart controls and programmable thermostats can help coordinate heating with your household routine and electricity tariff.
For example, you can schedule heating during periods when solar generation is available or when your battery has sufficient stored energy.
This gives you greater control over when electricity is consumed and which rooms receive heat.
Four Advantages of Infrared Heating
When combined with a well-planned home energy system, infrared heating offers several practical benefits.
Fast, Direct Radiant Warmth
Infrared energy travels directly to people and surfaces rather than needing to warm the surrounding air first. This provides a noticeable feeling of warmth shortly after switching the heater on.
Individual Heating Zones
There is no need to heat every room simultaneously. Different heaters can be operated independently, allowing you to focus electricity consumption on the spaces being used.
Silent, Low-Maintenance Operation
Electric infrared bar heaters operate without fans or moving mechanical components. This means silent operation and fewer mechanical parts compared with fan-assisted heating systems.
Compatible with Renewable Electricity
Infrared heaters use electricity, making them compatible with electricity generated by rooftop solar panels or supplied from a home battery system.
How Solar, Battery Storage and Infrared Heating Work Together
Each technology plays a different role. Solar panels generate electricity, battery storage makes that electricity available later, and infrared heaters provide targeted warmth when required.
Solar Generation
Solar panels generate electricity during daylight hours, providing renewable energy for household appliances and heating.
Battery Storage
Dynavolt DYNA-10 and DYNA-16 batteries store electricity for later household use, subject to system configuration.
Infrared Heating
Stored or directly generated electricity powers infrared heaters, delivering warmth to the areas where it is needed.
The advantage: Instead of relying entirely on electricity purchased from the grid, homeowners can use a combination of solar generation, stored electricity and grid supply to meet their heating requirements.
Dynavolt DYNA-10 and DYNA-16 Home Battery Storage
Choosing the right battery capacity is an important part of building a home energy system. The Dynavolt DynaStorage range offers two IP65-rated LiFePO4 battery options, giving homeowners flexibility when planning their energy storage requirements.
Both models feature intelligent battery management, integrated aerosol fire suppression and modular architecture. With capacities of 10.24kWh and 16.08kWh, the DYNA-10 and DYNA-16 can store electricity for use when solar generation is unavailable or grid electricity is more expensive.
DYNA-10 IP65
10.24kWh Home Battery StorageA 10.24kWh LiFePO4 battery designed for residential energy storage, solar integration and flexible household electricity management.
- 10.24kWh capacity (200Ah / 51.2V).
- Over 8,000 cycles at 90% depth of discharge, with at least 80% capacity retention as specified.
- 100A nominal charging and discharging current.
- IP65 enclosure, suitable for outdoor installation.
- Modular architecture supporting up to 16 units in parallel.
- Intelligent BMS providing individual cell monitoring and protection.
- Compatibility with over 35 inverter brands.
- Built-in aerosol pack-level fire suppression.
- CAN and RS485 communications.
- Wall-mounting brackets and caster wheels included.
DYNA-16 IP65
16.08kWh Higher-Capacity Home Battery StorageA higher-capacity 16.08kWh LiFePO4 battery offering greater energy storage for households with larger electricity requirements.
- 16.08kWh capacity (314Ah / 51.2V).
- Over 8,000 cycles at 90% depth of discharge, with at least 80% capacity retention as specified.
- 150A nominal charging and discharging current.
- IP65 enclosure, suitable for outdoor installation.
- Modular architecture supporting up to 16 units in parallel.
- Intelligent BMS providing individual cell monitoring and protection.
- Compatibility with over 35 inverter brands.
- Built-in aerosol pack-level fire suppression.
- CAN and RS485 communications.
- Wall-mounting brackets and caster wheels included.
Advanced Battery Technology Across Both Models
Both Dynavolt batteries share several important technologies designed to support safe and flexible energy storage.
- LiFePO4 Chemistry: Lithium iron phosphate battery technology.
- Intelligent BMS: Individual cell monitoring and battery protection.
- IP65 Protection: Enclosed design suitable for outdoor installation when installed in accordance with manufacturer instructions.
- Fire Protection: Integrated aerosol pack-level fire suppression system.
- Inverter Compatibility: Designed for compatibility with over 35 inverter brands, subject to the supported models and firmware.
- Modular Expansion: Supports connection of up to 16 battery units in parallel.
- Communications: CAN and RS485 connectivity through a waterproof RJ45 interface.
- Operating Temperatures: Charging from -10°C to 50°C and discharging from -20°C to 50°C.
Which model should you choose? The DYNA-10 provides 10.24kWh of storage, while the DYNA-16 offers 16.08kWh. The right option depends on your household electricity consumption, solar generation, inverter capabilities and desired backup or self-consumption requirements.
Three Ways to Make the Most of Your Energy System
Solar generation, battery storage and infrared heating can work together throughout the year. The best approach will depend on the season, your electricity tariff and how much energy your household uses.
Make the Most of Daytime Solar
During milder months, heating demand is often intermittent. When solar panels generate more electricity than the household immediately needs, surplus generation can be directed towards heating or battery charging.
Infrared heating can provide targeted warmth in occupied rooms without necessarily needing to heat the entire property.
Use Stored Electricity When You Need It
Solar generation is generally lower during winter, particularly during shorter daylight hours.
A DYNA-10 or DYNA-16 home battery can store electricity generated earlier in the day or charge from the grid during cheaper off-peak periods, depending on the tariff and system settings.
That stored electricity can then help power infrared heaters during more expensive evening periods.
Control When and Where You Heat
Smart thermostats, timers and heating schedules can help coordinate heating with household routines.
For example, you could schedule your living room heater to operate in the evening while keeping unused bedrooms at a lower temperature.
Make Better Use of Your Electricity
Combining solar, Dynavolt battery storage and zoned heating gives homeowners more flexibility over when electricity is generated, stored and consumed.
This can help reduce reliance on expensive grid electricity when the system is correctly sized and configured.
Your Home Can Help Retain Heat
One of the interesting characteristics of infrared heating is how radiant energy interacts with the physical materials inside your home.
Using Walls, Floors and Furniture to Retain Warmth
Infrared energy is absorbed by suitable surfaces, including walls, floors, furniture and other solid objects. These materials can then store some of that thermal energy and gradually release it back into the surrounding environment.
This is known as thermal mass. Rather than all the heat being held in the air, some is stored within the physical materials of the room.
Depending on the building, its insulation and the materials involved, this can help moderate temperature changes after the heater switches off.
Your home's physical structure can therefore play a role in retaining and redistributing heat.
Why it matters: Combining sensible heating schedules with the thermal properties of your home can help maintain comfortable conditions without keeping heaters running continuously. The actual benefit depends on the property and its insulation.
Can Combining These Technologies Reduce Energy Costs?
Potential savings come from managing both the amount of electricity you use and the price you pay for it.
Potential Heating Cost Savings
Heatir4less infrared heating can offer potential savings of up to 60% compared with conventional convection heating in suitable applications. Actual results vary depending on the existing heating system, building, heating schedule, electricity tariff and usage.
Reduce Unnecessary Heating
Use individual heating zones to avoid unnecessarily warming rooms that are empty or not being used.
Use More of Your Solar Generation
Where surplus solar electricity is available, use it directly or store it for later rather than automatically exporting it to the grid.
Take Advantage of Cheaper Tariffs
Compatible battery systems can charge during cheaper electricity periods and supply stored energy during more expensive periods.
Improve Energy Independence
Generating and storing your own electricity can reduce how much energy you need to purchase from the grid, depending on seasonal generation and household demand.
It is important to remember that battery storage has an upfront cost, charging and discharging losses, and a finite capacity. The financial return depends on the difference between electricity prices, system efficiency, installation costs and how the household uses energy.
Solar, Battery Storage and Infrared Heating FAQs
What is the difference between the Dynavolt DYNA-10 and DYNA-16?
The DYNA-10 has a storage capacity of 10.24kWh, while the DYNA-16 offers 16.08kWh. Both use 51.2V LiFePO4 battery technology and feature IP65 protection, intelligent BMS and integrated aerosol fire suppression. The DYNA-16 also has a higher nominal charging and discharging current of 150A compared with 100A on the DYNA-10.
Can the DYNA-10 and DYNA-16 be installed outdoors?
Both models feature an IP65 enclosed standard, making them suitable for outdoor installation when installed in accordance with the manufacturer's environmental, mounting and clearance requirements.
Can multiple Dynavolt batteries be connected together?
Yes. Both the DYNA-10 and DYNA-16 feature modular architecture supporting up to 16 units connected in parallel. The final configuration must follow the manufacturer's compatibility and installation requirements.
Can Dynavolt batteries work with different inverter brands?
The intelligent BMS is specified as compatible with over 35 inverter brands using CAN and RS485 communication. Compatibility should be checked against the exact inverter model, firmware and supported communication protocol before installation.
Can infrared heaters run directly from solar panels?
Yes. Infrared heaters can use electricity generated by a solar PV system. A compatible electrical installation and energy management setup can prioritise available solar generation for household heating. However, solar generation varies throughout the day and may not always match the heater's demand.
Can infrared heaters run from a home battery?
Yes. Electric infrared heaters can be powered using electricity supplied by a compatible home battery and inverter. The battery and inverter must have sufficient capacity to support the heater's power requirements alongside other household appliances.
Will infrared heating make my home battery last longer?
Not automatically. A heater's electrical demand depends on its wattage and how long it operates. However, using individual heating zones and sensible schedules can reduce unnecessary electricity consumption, potentially allowing stored energy to last longer.
Can I use cheap overnight electricity to power infrared heaters?
Yes. If you have a compatible battery and a suitable time-of-use electricity tariff, you can charge your battery during cheaper periods and use the stored electricity later to power your infrared heaters. Battery efficiency, capacity and tariff conditions should be considered.
Do infrared heaters store heat after they switch off?
Infrared heaters themselves do not act as thermal storage batteries. However, the walls, floors, furniture and other surfaces that absorb infrared energy can retain some heat and gradually release it after the heater switches off.
Are infrared heaters more efficient than heat pumps?
Not in terms of converting electricity into heat. Electric infrared heaters convert electricity directly into heat, while heat pumps can deliver several units of heat for each unit of electricity consumed under suitable operating conditions. Infrared heating can still be useful for targeted heating, individual rooms and supplementary warmth where heating an entire property is unnecessary.
What size infrared heater do I need?
The correct output depends on the room's dimensions, insulation, ceiling height, windows and heating requirements. Heatir4less offers models in 1200W, 1800W, 2400W and 3000W outputs to suit a range of applications.
A Smarter Approach to Home Heating and Energy Management
Taking greater control of your home's energy does not stop at installing solar panels or purchasing a home battery. How you use that electricity is just as important.
By combining renewable electricity generation, Dynavolt battery storage and targeted infrared heating, homeowners can take a more flexible approach to managing their energy consumption and heating costs.
With the Dynavolt DYNA-10 (10.24kWh) and DYNA-16 (16.08kWh), homeowners have two battery storage options to consider, alongside Heatir4less infrared bar heaters available from 1200W to 3000W.
From making better use of daytime solar generation to powering individual heating zones during cheaper electricity periods, these technologies offer opportunities to improve how your home uses electricity throughout the year.
At Heatir4less, we believe the future of home heating is about using the right technology, in the right place, at the right time.
Heating Your Home, Business and Future for Less.
Note: Energy savings are not guaranteed. Actual results depend on the property, existing heating system, insulation, heater specification, installation, operating hours, electricity tariffs, solar generation, battery capacity and individual usage. Battery and solar installations must be appropriately designed and installed. Battery cycle-life figures are manufacturer specifications under stated test conditions and are not a guarantee of real-world service life. Battery compatibility should be verified against the selected inverter. Infrared heating is an electric resistance heating technology and does not inherently deliver more heat per unit of electricity than other electric resistance heaters.