As the UK hospitality industry prepares for the 4th May Bank Holiday, commercial venues are bracing for a massive surge in outdoor footfall. With search interest in outdoor infrared heaters predicted to spike by 290% this week, facility managers must transition from basic heating to high-capacity, industrial-grade thermal management. United Automation provides the robust control technology required to maintain guest comfort while protecting the bottom line in high-demand commercial environments.

Why Infrared Heaters are the Standard for Large Venues
Managing heating for a large terrace, smoking area, or expansive outdoor space at your venue presents unique challenges. Unlike domestic setups, commercial systems often run for 12+ hours a day. Consequently, without intelligent regulation, energy waste is significant. Infrared heaters are the superior choice for these environments because they transfer heat directly to people and objects rather than wasting energy on the surrounding air.
For the 4th May peak, the most effective outdoor infrared heaters are those that integrate soft-start technology. This is critical for industrial applications where multiple 2kW or 6kW units are switched on simultaneously; our controllers prevent the circuit breaker “trips” that can disrupt a busy bank holiday service.
Automated Load Management for Industrial Hospitality
To capture the 2026 trend for “smart” commercial spaces, United Automation’s Infresco range offers industrial-grade automation that domestic products cannot match:
- PIR & Temperature Inhibit: In a commercial venue, infrared heaters are often left on when tables are empty. Our PIR sensors ensure power is only drawn when guests are present, while temperature sensors prevent the system from firing during a warm afternoon.
- Soft-Start Technology: High-power lamps often fail due to “in-rush” current. Our controllers ramp up power gradually, extending your lamp life by up to 30%.
- Multi-Zone Control: Managers can regulate entire sections of a terrace from a single point, ensuring consistent heat distribution across large outdoor footprints.
Preparing Your Venue for the May Bank Holiday
As we approach the predicted search peak, commercial operators should audit their heating infrastructure:
- Check In-Rush Currents: Ensure your outdoor heaters are protected by soft-start controllers to avoid power failures during peak trading.
- Verify Sensor Placement: Ensure PIR sensors are calibrated for high-traffic zones to maximise the efficiency of your infrared heaters.
- Efficiency Audit: Replace convection-based systems with high-efficiency electric infrared to lower the “cost-per-hour” of guest comfort.
2× 3kW Industrial Infrared Heaters + Infresco-T 6kW Timer Controller Bundle | 15% OFF
£813.00 Original price was: £813.00.£691.05Current price is: £691.05. ex. VAT
6kW Vertical Infrared Heater + Infresco-P 6kW Controller | 15% OFF Bundle
£715.00 Original price was: £715.00.£607.75Current price is: £607.75. ex. VAT
6kW Horizontal Infrared Heater + Infresco-P 6kW Controller | 15% OFF Bundle
£740.00 Original price was: £740.00.£629.00Current price is: £629.00. ex. VAT
6kW Vertical Infrared Heater + Infresco-T 6kW Controller | 15% OFF Bundle
£678.00 Original price was: £678.00.£576.30Current price is: £576.30. ex. VAT
Maximise Your Venue’s Potential this Bank Holiday
Don’t let soaring energy costs or tripped breakers overshadow your busiest weekend. United Automation specialises in the commercial and industrial power control technology required to keep your guests warm and your margins healthy.
Consult Our Industrial Heating Experts
Ensure your venue is ready for the 4th May surge with bespoke Infresco control systems.