A balcony infrared heater doesn’t need to be complicated. The STAR V40 (STAR18RS) is built for exactly that: no drilling required, and it arrives complete with an adjustable stand, remote control, and thermostat. Place it beside your chair, plug in the power cord, and you have warmth on your balcony within minutes.
You want to sit out on your balcony later into autumn and start earlier in spring. But the evenings turn too cold, and a balcony is rarely a place where you want to drill holes in the wall or call in an electrician.
This guide helps you find the right infrared heater for balcony use, whether you rent or own, have a small or medium-sized balcony, or want a heater you can easily bring indoors for storage.
What Type of Balcony Do You Have?
Choosing the right balcony infrared heater depends above all on the size of your balcony and how exposed it is to wind. An open balcony on a third floor loses heat quickly in a breeze, while a balcony with glazing or enclosed walls retains warmth far more effectively. This directly affects how much power you need.
| Balcony type | Power required | STAR V40 coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Small open balcony (4 to 6 m²) | 150 to 200 W/m² | More than sufficient power |
| Medium open balcony (6 to 10 m²) | 150 to 200 W/m² | Full coverage at 1,800 W |
| Large balcony (10 to 15 m²) | 150 to 200 W/m² | Two units recommended |
| Glazed balcony | 80 to 120 W/m² | See separate guide for glazed balconies |
If you have a glazed balcony, the picture changes. The glazing acts as a wind shield and roughly halves the power you need. Read our separate guide on heating a glazed balcony for specific advice on that balcony type.
Why infrared heat suits a balcony better than the alternatives
A balcony is a semi-open space. Warm air escapes quickly, either through the openings or simply upward and away. That means a standard electric heater or a gas patio heater wastes a large share of its energy warming air that never stays put.
For a detailed comparison of the two technologies, see our article on gas heaters versus infrared heaters.
Infrared technology works in an entirely different way. The radiation travels in straight lines from the heater and is absorbed by the body and the surrounding surfaces, much as sunlight warms you on a cold spring day.
You feel the warmth directly on your skin, not in the air in between. On an open balcony, a balcony infrared heater is the only technology that delivers noticeable comfort without wasting energy.
STAR V40 uses carbon short-wave infrared radiation. According to the official datasheet, more than 90% of the energy converts to heat that reaches you directly. That means low running costs and a steady warmth on the balcony even as the evening air cools.
A brief physics note, for anyone wondering. The radiation itself does not blow away in the wind, since it travels in straight lines from heater to skin. What does increase on a windy evening is the body’s convective heat loss, the same principle that makes a windy day feel colder than a still day at the same air temperature.
On an open balcony, you compensate by positioning the heater closer to the seating area or running it at a higher power setting, not by switching technology. An infrared heater for balcony use still performs well when the wind picks up.
STAR V40, the natural choice for a balcony infrared heater
The STAR V40 is built for exactly this kind of balcony use. It arrives complete with an adjustable stand (1.0–1.4 metres), a remote control and an integrated thermostat function. There is nothing extra to buy. There is not a single hole to drill.
The stand lets you position the heater right next to your seating and angle it towards you. The adjustable leg sets the correct height whether you are sitting in a lounge sofa or an upright chair.
Its IP44 rating means the STAR V40 handles splashes and moisture in a sheltered outdoor environment such as a balcony. The automatic tip-over protection shuts the heater off immediately if it falls, a practical safeguard on a balcony where the stand could easily be knocked.
The STAR V40 weighs 3.85 kg and is easy to move. Bring it out when you want to use it, then take it back in afterwards. That is useful if you store bicycles or other equipment on the balcony and would rather not have a permanent fixture taking up space all year round.
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | STAR18RS (Norveco STAR V40) |
| EAN | 7350009972185 |
| Power | 1,800 W |
| Power settings | 3 levels |
| Control | Remote control (included) |
| Timer | 9 hours |
| Thermostat | Electronic, integrated |
| Tip-over protection | Automatic, shuts off on fall |
| Mounting | Stand (included) or wall |
| Stand height | 1.0–1.4 metres, adjustable |
| Coverage | 6–9 m² on an exposed balcony, up to 18 m² in a half-sheltered conservatory |
| IP rating | IP44 (sheltered outdoor environment) |
| Voltage | 220–240 V |
| Weight | 3.85 kg |
| Dimensions (L × W × H) | 76 × 8.5 × 16.5 cm |
| Colour | Aluminium |
| Warranty | 2 years |
Specifications according to the official datasheet for the STAR18RS.
Two-pack: the right choice for a patio or larger balcony
A single STAR V40 covers 6 to 9 m² on an exposed balcony and is fully sufficient for most balconies up to 10 m². If you have a larger balcony or a patio of 15 to 20 m² and want warmth across the entire area, a two-pack gives better coverage and a lower price per unit.
You position the two heaters on either side of the seating area, angled towards the centre. This creates an enveloping warmth similar to how restaurants and cafés heat their outdoor terraces. Everything is included with each unit: stand, remote control, mounting brackets. There is no need to buy accessories separately.
A two-pack delivers more for your money without paying for premium features you do not need. It is the practical solution if you want to heat an entire patio this season.
Larger balcony or looking for a premium option? THOR S70 is worth considering
STAR V40 suits the vast majority of balconies extremely well. But if you have a large balcony of 15 m² or more, or a spacious patio you want to cover with a single heater, Opranic’s THOR S70 is available as a premium option.
THOR S70 is Opranic’s portable freestanding patio heater rated at 2,300 W, with IP65 protection and IR-X Carbon Black technology. It requires no installation and offers 5 power settings ranging from 900 to 2,300 W. The higher output and IP65 rating mean it handles fully exposed outdoor environments, not just sheltered balconies.
THOR S70 has received recognition from Aftonbladet, The Independent and Testson, and is Opranic’s best-selling outdoor heater.
For most balconies, STAR V40 remains the smarter choice: it is portable, comes with its stand included, and requires no additional purchases. THOR S70 is the right step up when you want more power, a higher IP rating, or plan to use the heater across more settings than just the balcony.
Running Costs on a Balcony
The STAR V40 at full power (1,800 W) costs approximately 3.60 kr per hour at an electricity price of 2.00 kr/kWh including grid fee and tax. At the lower power settings, the cost drops proportionally. A typical three-hour evening on the balcony costs between 5 and 11 kr in electricity, depending on which power setting you use.
The thermostat function keeps the heater at an even temperature automatically and switches off once it reaches the desired level. That cuts unnecessary energy use on evenings when it’s actually warm enough to get by without full power the whole time. For a balcony infrared heater dealing with variable weather, the thermostat is often what makes the biggest difference to your electricity bill.
Worked example. Three evenings a week with three hours of heat on power setting 2 (around 1,200 W) across a full outdoor season, say May to September, costs approximately 230 kr in electricity. Less than a single refill of a gas cylinder.
Based on Eurostat household electricity prices H1 2025 (SE ~2.00 kr/kWh incl. grid fee and tax). Actual cost varies with local prices and the power setting chosen.
Summary: choosing the right balcony infrared heater
Most balconies measure between 4 and 10 m² and stand open to wind and weather. For a balcony infrared heater at that scale, the STAR V40 delivers 1,800 W of direct radiant heat that warms your body, not the air around it.
The stand is included. The remote control is included. The thermostat is built in. Tip-over protection is automatic. You are ready to use it the same evening you bring it home, with no drilling and no electrician required.
If you want complete coverage for a terrace or a larger area, choose the 2-pack and position one heater on each side of your seating group. It is the setup that gives you the widest coverage at the best price per square metre.
If you have a glazed balcony, we recommend reading our guide to heating a glazed balcony. It is a different kind of space, with its own requirements and possibilities.
Buy the STAR V40, visit the product page for current pricing and stock status
For a broader view of outdoor heating in every situation, see our buying guide for infrared outdoor heaters.
