A balcony infrared heater delivers radiant warmth to make sitting outside more comfortable on cool evenings. Start by considering the space you have, how wind reaches your seating area and whether you prefer a portable heater or clear floor space. This guide compares STAR18RS, S50R, V50R and the premium S70R.
An electric infrared heater directs radiant heat towards you and your seating area. Switch it on when you sit down and off when you go inside. On an open balcony, shelter from the wind, the distance from the heater and where it is aimed matter just as much as its rated power.
Choosing an infrared heater for your balcony
On an open balcony, wind cools both you and the surrounding surfaces. Position your heater so its radiant warmth reaches everyone seated at the table, without chairs, railings or other objects blocking the heat. On a glazed balcony, you are more sheltered from the wind, but heat is still lost through the glass and gaps.
Is your balcony glazed? Read the guide to heating a glazed balcony
How much power does your balcony infrared heater need?
As an initial guide for a sheltered balcony, allow 150-200 W per square metre of the area you want to heat. In a more exposed position, you may need up to around 300 W per square metre. For a 6 m² seating area, that means approximately 900-1,200 W in a sheltered position, or up to 1,800 W in the more exposed example.
These figures help you plan; they do not guarantee a heated area. Positioning and distance determine how evenly the radiant warmth reaches your seating. On a larger balcony, two heaters positioned to provide warmth from different directions can give more even coverage than a single heater.
STAR18RS: a freestanding infrared heater delivering direct heat for smaller balconies
Norveco STAR18RS is the clearance model, with 1,800 W output and an IP44 rating. Older material also refers to it as STAR V40. The product specification lists a stand, remote control and a thermostat function among the included features. The stand lets you try different positions without drilling into your balcony wall.
IP44 provides protection against splashing water. Choose a sheltered position and follow the model’s guidance on exposure to the elements, installation and safety clearances. STAR18RS has a two-year warranty. See the product page for the current specification, price and availability.
Two heaters for more seats
For a larger balcony or terrace, you can position two STAR18RS heaters on opposite sides of the seating area. See the product page for purchasing options, including the 2-pack. Position the heaters so the warmth reaches your guests while keeping walkways and doors clear. Check the capacity of your electrical circuits before using two heaters at the same time.
S50R and V50R: compact balcony infrared heater options
Opranic S50R suits you if you want to move your infrared heater between seating areas. Lower and lighter than S70R, it is available with 1,800 W or 2,300 W output. Its standard aluminium Unibody construction, standard reflector and cast-iron base are paired with five power levels, a remote control and a timer adjustable from one to nine hours.
Opranic V50R keeps your balcony floor clear. Designed for wall or ceiling mounting, it delivers 2,300 W with five power levels, a remote control and a timer adjustable from one to nine hours. It suits a fixed position that directs warmth towards your seating area while maintaining the required safety clearances.
Both models have an IP65 rating, a two-year warranty and a rated element lifetime of up to 8,000 hours. S50R offers easier handling; V50R leaves your floor space free.
S70R: premium construction for a regularly used seating area
Opranic S70R is taller and more substantial than S50R. Its premium unibody construction, premium reflector and 2,300 W output make it an option if you also want warmth on your terrace or around a larger seating area. You get five power levels, a remote control, a timer adjustable from one to nine hours and an IP65 rating.
S70R was named Best in Test by Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet and received awards from Inspekto during 2022-2025. It comes with a five-year warranty and a rated element lifetime of up to 12,000 hours. The heating tube has a separate two-year warranty.
| Model | Placement and key features | Maximum power | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| STAR18RS | Stand or mounting as specified in the manual, IP44 | 1,800 W | 2 years |
| S50R | Lighter, lower and portable, IP65 | 1,800 / 2,300 W | 2 years |
| V50R | Wall or ceiling mounting keeps floor space clear, IP65 | 2,300 W | 2 years |
| S70R | Freestanding premium construction, IP65 | 2,300 W | 5 years, heating tube 2 years |
Can you use an infrared heater on your balcony?
An electric infrared heater provides warmth without an open flame. Before installing a fixed heater, check your building’s rules and ask your landlord or residents’ association. The clearances, electrical connection requirements and positioning instructions in the user manual still apply, even on a small balcony.
Using your balcony in cold weather
Choose a sheltered seating area and direct the infrared heat towards it. Run the heater while you are there, adjusting the power to suit the weather and your distance from it. A balcony infrared heater can make your seating area more comfortable, but it cannot turn an open balcony into a heated indoor room.
Balcony infrared heater running costs
Using an assumed electricity price of 0.38 EUR/kWh including grid charges and tax, running costs are 0.68 EUR/h at 1,800 W and 0.87 EUR/h at 2,300 W. Three hours at full power costs 2.05 EUR and 2.62 EUR respectively. Lower power settings and shorter use reduce the cost.
Two STAR18RS heaters at full power have a combined output of 3,600 W and cost 1.37 EUR/h under the same assumptions. These figures are illustrative calculations. Use your own electricity price to calculate your actual running costs.
Positioning and safety clearances
Place a freestanding S50R or S70R on a firm, level surface. Maintain clearances of at least 100 cm in front, 70 cm on each side, 50 cm behind and 50 cm above the infrared heater. Switch it off, unplug it and allow it to cool before moving it. Always follow the instructions for your model and route the cable so it does not create a trip hazard.
V50R and STAR18RS have their own installation instructions and safety requirements. Do not apply another model’s clearances to them. Keep textiles clear of the heater, leave doorways and walkways unobstructed, and use an electrical connection suitable for the environment.
Choose an infrared heater to suit your balcony
STAR18RS offers a stand option in our clearance selection. S50R is lightweight and easy to move. V50R frees up floor space, while S70R is the premium freestanding model. Start by assessing your seating layout, mounting options and safety clearances, then choose your model.
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