Are infrared heaters expensive to run in winter?
Infrared heaters are often cheaper to run in winter than expected. This guide explains how infrared heating performs in cold weather and when it is most cost effective.
What is Infrared Heating?
Infrared heating is a modern, energy-efficient way to warm your home or business. Instead of heating air, infrared panels emit radiant heat that directly warms people, objects and surfaces. This mimics the natural warmth of the sun, delivering comfortable, consistent heat without circulation of dust or allergens. Infrared heating isn’t harmful like ultraviolet rays and works incredibly efficiently to heat large and small spaces both indoors and out.
How does Infrared heating work?
Most traditional heating methods use convection. Convection is the process of heating the surrounding air and circulating it around the space until it has adequately warmed up. Infrared heaters work differently. They emit heat that instantly warms you and surrounding objects up in a concentrated beam of warming light. Unlike electric radiators, you won’t be waiting for the room to warm up. Infrared heating offers immediate, convenient warmth and a host of other benefits too.
How Does Infrared Compare to Traditional Heating?
Infrared panels are up to 60% more efficient than convection systems like radiators. They heat faster, require less maintenance, and offer improved air quality - ideal for allergy sufferers and modern low-energy buildings. Installation is quick, and running costs are impressively low when combined with smart controls or solar PV.
There are many benefits to using infrared heating over traditional heating methods. Because infrared radiation warms up objects and people directly, it’s quicker to take effect and can also help dry out dampness, preventing mould from building up over time.
More efficiency, less energy. Infrared heaters warm rooms quickly and are much more cost-effective than conventional heating equipment. Infrared heating can reduce the risk of mould, as it warms up objects and the air - preventing condensation from forming.
Infrared heating panels also require less energy than electric heaters and require little-to-no maintenance. They’re a great choice for allergy/asthma sufferers as IR heating panels don’t circulate dusty or dirty air around the room like electric heaters making it a healthier heating choice.
Because they run off electricity, infrared heaters are easy to install (no pipeline needed!) and don’t get in the way of your interior design.
Infrared heating solutions are certainly more cost-effective than traditional heaters and low-maintenance compared to propane heating.
Are Infrared heaters environmentally friendly?
Infrared heaters don’t add pollutants to the room you use them in; they’re environmentally friendly. They work without fuel lines, open flames, toxic by-products, or carbon combustion. In essence, IR heaters add nothing to the environment and don’t take anything from it, either. Since these heaters only warm up specific objects and areas, they don’t waste power warming the whole room.
Is infrared heating expensive to run?
No — infrared panels are highly energy-efficient. Running costs are typically 30–50% lower than electric radiators or gas boilers, especially when paired with thermostats or solar PV.
Infrared heating can reduce your heating costs by 30-50%. Of course, how much you will save does depend on the construction of your home, ceiling height, insulation, and more.
Are Infrared heaters safe to use around children and pets?
Infrared heaters are just as safe, if not safer, than other types of heating. However, it’s important to take the usual safety precautions with infrared heaters as you would with any other type of heater.
Can I use infrared heating in any room?
Yes. We offer panels designed for living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, conservatories, commercial spaces and more. Ceiling-mounted, framed, and mirror options are available to suit every style.
Infrared heaters are suitable for use in damp environments like bathrooms. They have up to 98% high energy efficiency compared to other heating options and are durable and cost-effective in damp areas.
