4 Laboratory Tests.
Every Claim Verified.

BSRIA — the Building Services Research and Information Association — is one of Europe's most respected building engineering research institutions. Their independent measurement of the SunWave Ceramica established the fundamental ratio that underpins the product's energy efficiency claims.

What was measured

BSRIA measured the proportion of the panel's electrical power output that is delivered as radiant infrared heat versus convective heat (warmed air). In a conventional convective system (radiator, storage heater, fan heater), most energy heats the air, which then conducts warmth to occupants. In a radiant system, energy travels as electromagnetic radiation directly to surfaces and bodies in line of sight.

The result: up to 80% less consumption than A+++ convection heaters

BSRIA confirmed that the SunWave Ceramica uses up to 80% less energy than A+++ convection heating systems. The panel delivers 80% of its energy as radiant infrared and just 20% as convective heat. Because radiant energy warms people and surfaces directly — bypassing the need to heat the full air volume — equivalent thermal comfort is achieved at significantly lower energy input. A thermostat is required to optimise this performance and is included with every panel.

Why this matters for Swiss buildings

Swiss residential buildings lose a significant portion of heating energy through ventilation — particularly in modern, well-sealed buildings. Convective heat warms air, which then escapes through mandatory ventilation. Radiant heat warms the building fabric (walls, floors, furniture), which retains warmth for hours after the panel is off. This thermal mass effect dramatically reduces the continuous heating load.

TU Dresden is one of Germany's oldest and most prestigious technical universities. The Energy Efficiency Department tested the SunWave Ceramica to DIN EN IEC 60675-3 — the European and international standard for measuring the radiation efficiency of infrared heaters.

The DIN EN IEC 60675-3 standard

DIN EN IEC 60675-3 ("Electric heating units for domestic and similar use — Part 3: Methods for measuring performance of infrared heaters") defines precise laboratory conditions and measurement procedures for quantifying what proportion of electrical energy input is delivered as infrared radiation, and verifying that the infrared spectrum is within the specified range for the device type.

Peak wavelength: 8.52 µm

At an operating temperature of 67°C, Wien's displacement law predicts peak infrared emission at:

The 8–14 µm range is the long-wave infrared band. It is the band that the human body both emits and most efficiently absorbs — the same band used by the Earth's surface and all living organisms for thermal radiation exchange. Far-infrared at 8–14 µm penetrates the outer skin layer and is absorbed as gentle, even warmth with no hotspot sensation.

Why TU Dresden tested this

DIN EN IEC 60675-3 is the rigorous standard that separates genuine infrared heaters (efficient radiant heat delivery) from products that simply get hot and claim to be "infrared." TU Dresden's confirmation that the SunWave Ceramica meets the standard is independent verification that the panel's output wavelength and efficiency specifications are accurate — not marketing copy.

Significance for the Swiss market

Swiss cantonal energy codes (MuKEn 2014) require documented, measurable performance for energy efficiency compliance. TU Dresden's certification provides the documentation insurers, building inspectors, and cantonal authorities need to recognise the SunWave Ceramica as a qualifying heating system.

Fraunhofer WKI is Europe's most authoritative institute for indoor air quality testing, based in Braunschweig, Germany. Their test of the SunWave Ceramica addressed a direct concern for buyers replacing gas boilers: what does this product emit when operating?

Why indoor air quality matters

Gas and oil boilers are combustion systems that produce nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and trace benzene — all indoors if flue sealing is imperfect, and often elevated even with proper venting. Electric storage heaters and some halogen heaters also off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from their coatings and insulation at operating temperature.

In Swiss residential buildings, which are tightly sealed for energy efficiency, indoor air pollutant concentrations can accumulate. The Swiss BAFU (Federal Office for the Environment) monitoring shows Swiss indoor NO₂ levels frequently exceeding WHO guidelines in gas-heated homes.

What Fraunhofer tested

The WKI test placed the SunWave Ceramica in a controlled chamber at operating temperature and measured emissions of volatile organic compounds across a full spectrum of target compounds, including:

• Formaldehyde and other aldehydes
• Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes (BTEX)
• Aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons
• Chlorinated compounds
• Total VOC concentration (TVOC)

Result: Not detected (ND) across all compounds

No volatile organic compounds were detected at any measurable concentration across the full test spectrum. The ceramic surface — a glazed, inert mineral matrix — does not off-gas at operating temperatures. There are no coatings, adhesives, or polymers in contact with the heated surface to volatilise.

Over 9 months of monitored data collection, this independent academic study compared actual energy consumption of ceramic infrared heating to gas-based central heating in comparable spaces. This is real-world field data, not laboratory simulation.

Study design

The study monitored energy consumption in spaces heated by infrared panels and spaces heated by gas central heating across equivalent floor areas, with equivalent occupancy patterns and equivalent set-point temperatures. Thermal sensors measured air temperature, surface temperature, and mean radiant temperature (MRT) throughout the monitoring period.

Key finding: 66% energy reduction

Infrared-heated spaces used 66% less energy per m² than gas-heated spaces for the same thermal comfort level. The independent research data yields a specific figure of 71.21 kWh/m²·year for infrared heating in a well-insulated building — compared to approximately 208.73 kWh/m²·year for gas heating (a common Swiss benchmark for gas-heated apartments).

Temperature stratification finding

Convective heating systems create temperature stratification: the air near the ceiling is significantly warmer than the air at floor level, where occupants actually sit or stand. This means thermostats (which measure air at 1.5 m height) trigger heating when the floor zone is still cold, and excess heat accumulates at the ceiling where it is useless — and then lost through the roof.

The independent academic study showed that infrared heating eliminated stratification — temperature was uniform from floor to ceiling, meaning no energy was "wasted" heating the upper air zone. This stratification effect is one of the key mechanisms behind the 66% energy saving.

Mould and moisture observation

A secondary finding: infrared-heated rooms showed reduced surface condensation and mould growth compared to gas-heated rooms at the same air temperature. Radiant heat warms wall surfaces directly (raising the surface temperature above the dew point), whereas gas heating warms the air but leaves cold surfaces vulnerable to condensation. This has significant implications for Swiss building stock, much of which is vulnerable to moisture damage.

Application to Switzerland

The CHF savings calculator on this website uses the independent academic research energy figures as the basis for comparing infrared running costs against gas, oil, and electric heating. The 71.21 kWh/m²·yr figure for good insulation is the reference point for all payback calculations shown.

Labor S.A. conducted the most recent independent test on the SunWave Ceramica — a comprehensive electrical safety certification published December 23, 2024. The test was conducted to EN 60335-2-30, the international standard for fixed electric space heaters.

EN 60335-2-30: what it covers

EN 60335-2-30 ("Household and similar electrical appliances — Safety — Part 2-30: Particular requirements for room heaters") is the core safety standard for fixed electric heaters sold in Europe and Switzerland. It covers:

• Surface temperature limits under steady-state operating conditions
• Electrical insulation and leakage current
• Protection against overheating (abnormal operation)
• Mechanical strength (impact, vibration)
• Construction requirements (clearances, materials)
• Protection class and IP rating

Surface temperature result

The panel surface temperature rise was measured at 71.2 K above ambient. The EN 60335-2-30 limit is 80 K. This leaves an 8.8 K safety margin — approximately 11% headroom below the limit. In absolute terms, at a typical room temperature of 20°C, the panel surface reaches approximately 91°C maximum — consistent with the manufacturer's 90°C maximum specification.

Leakage current result

Leakage current was measured at 0.1 mA. The EN 60335-2-30 limit is 0.25 mA. This is 60% below the maximum permitted level — an exceptionally safe leakage current for a 650 W resistive heater. Leakage current is the current that flows through the protective insulation barrier; low leakage current confirms the integrity of the Class II double-insulation construction.

Class II certification

The SunWave Ceramica is certified as Class II — double-insulated. This means it does not require an earth (ground) connection to be electrically safe. Class II appliances have two independent layers of insulation protecting users from contact with live parts. This simplifies installation (no earth cable required) and provides an additional layer of protection beyond Class I appliances.