The UK's exclusive supplier of the PowerBoard — the first 230V far-infrared heating system that installs flush into your ceiling void, with zero visible hardware.
No external unit. No damage to building fabric. No flue through a historic wall. PowerBoard infrared ceiling heating is frequently the only viable low-carbon option for listed and heritage buildings, and the EPC exemption that historically gave these owners breathing room is now ending.
Listed building consent is required for any works that affect the character of a protected building. That rules out most conventional heating upgrade routes.
The right approach and product specification varies depending on the listing grade and property type. Here is a straightforward guide.
Most conservation officers are very familiar with the challenge of low-carbon heating in protected buildings, and the limited options available to owners. Infrared panel heating is generally viewed favourably because it involves no structural intervention, no external components, and no penetration of historic fabric.
In practice, surface-mount infrared ceiling panels in a listed building are usually treated as permitted development internally, in the same category as fitting modern light fittings or replacing kitchen appliances. The key questions conservation officers ask are: does it affect the external appearance? Does it damage or alter historic fabric? For PowerBoard, the answer to both is no.
Where a pre-application enquiry is needed (for Grade I or Grade II* properties in particular), we can provide full technical documentation including panel dimensions, fixing specifications, and a reversibility statement. This gives conservation officers the information they need to make a prompt and informed decision.
Tell us about your listed building: grade, ceiling height, current heating, and any existing consent issues. We will recommend the right PowerBoard specification and can provide technical documentation to support a pre-application planning enquiry.
The traditional blanket exemption that allowed listed buildings to avoid EPC requirements entirely has been under review since 2025 and is being progressively phased out as of 2026. Owners, lenders and insurers are increasingly requiring evidence of genuine low-carbon heating rather than relying on an exemption that may not persist.
Air-source heat pumps require an external unit, typically fixed to an exterior wall or mounted on the ground near the building. For a listed building this almost always requires listed building consent and is frequently refused where it would affect the character of the facade. Even where consent is granted, the visual impact and noise can be problematic. PowerBoard has no external component whatsoever.
In most cases, no. Surface-mount ceiling panels are considered reversible and do not affect the external appearance or internal historic fabric of a building. However, requirements vary by property and local planning authority. We recommend confirming with your conservation officer before works begin. We can provide technical information to support any pre-application enquiry.
Because infrared heats people and surfaces directly rather than warming air, occupants feel comfortable at lower air temperatures. This makes PowerBoard significantly more effective in hard-to-insulate buildings than convective systems. We typically specify 130 W/m\u00b2 for poorly insulated spaces, compared with 80-90 W/m\u00b2 for modern construction.
Yes, absolutely. Many heritage property owners use PowerBoard as the primary background heating, with an open fire or woodburner for ambiance and peak cold weather. The two systems work independently, and the per-room thermostat control on PowerBoard means you simply turn down the room where the fire is lit.
Yes. Infrared radiation travels directly from the panel to occupants and floor surfaces regardless of ceiling height. You may need slightly more wattage per m\u00b2 for ceilings above 3.5 m, but there is no ceiling height at which infrared becomes ineffective. We have installed in churches, barn conversions, and Victorian halls with ceilings of 5 m and above.
Infrared radiation warms wall and floor surfaces directly, raising their surface temperature and reducing the relative humidity at the surface. This directly addresses the condensation mechanism behind much of the damp and mould seen in old stone and solid-brick buildings. Owners frequently report a noticeable improvement in wall dryness within the first heating season.
For most listed buildings, the surface-mount 500 W or 750 W panels are the right choice. They clip to the existing ceiling without structural work. For buildings undergoing sympathetic plasterwork restoration, the 250 W integrated ceiling system can be set flush into new plasterboard or lime plaster for a completely invisible finish, which conservation officers often prefer.