INSIGHTS & GUIDES
Are infrared heaters expensive to run in winter?
Infrared heaters do not automatically become expensive to run simply because it is winter. Their actual winter running cost depends on the heater wattage, electricity price, room heat requirement, insulation, thermostat settings and how long the heaters need to operate.
Winter naturally creates greater heating demand because buildings lose heat more quickly when outdoor temperatures fall. However, one of the advantages of an appropriately designed infrared system is the ability to control individual rooms or heating zones rather than necessarily heating an entire property to the same temperature at the same time.
That can make infrared particularly useful in homes and commercial spaces where occupancy varies throughout the day.
Quick Answer
Are Infrared Heaters Expensive to Run in Winter?
They don't have to be. Like any electric heater, the maximum electricity consumption of an infrared heater is determined by its wattage while it is actively heating. What matters over a full day or month is how long the heater actually operates.
Correct sizing, thermostatic control, insulation, room temperature and zoning can all affect total winter energy consumption. This is why comparing heating systems purely by the headline price of electricity can give an incomplete picture of real-world running costs.
Why Heating Costs Increase in Winter
Heating demand generally increases during winter because the temperature difference between the inside and outside of a building becomes greater.
The building continually loses heat through elements such as walls, windows, doors, ceilings and ventilation. As conditions become colder, the heating system may need to operate for longer to maintain the required indoor temperature.
That applies to infrared heating as well as other heating technologies. Infrared does not remove the heat loss of the building — which is why correct sizing is especially important for winter performance.
01
Heater Wattage
The rated output determines maximum electricity consumption while the heater is actively drawing power.
02
Building Heat Loss
Insulation, glazing, construction and room characteristics affect the amount of heating required.
03
Temperature & Control
Thermostat settings and heating schedules influence how long a controlled system operates.
04
Occupancy
Zoning can allow different areas to operate according to when and how they are actually used.
How Infrared Heating Works in Cold Weather
Infrared heating works differently from a conventional convection-based system. Rather than relying primarily on heating and circulating room air, infrared heaters emit radiant energy towards people and surrounding surfaces.
This can be particularly useful in winter because the heating system can be designed around the areas where warmth is actually required.
Depending on the installation and controls, this can provide:
- Radiant warmth directed into the occupied space
- Independent temperature control for different rooms or zones
- Heating schedules based on actual occupancy
- Reduced need to heat unused areas unnecessarily
- Thermostatic cycling once the required temperature is reached
However, the required heater output still needs to account for the room and building. A poorly insulated space with significant heat loss will require more heating energy than a well-insulated room, regardless of the heating technology.
How Much Does Infrared Heating Cost to Run in Winter?
There is no single winter running-cost figure that applies to every infrared heating system.
The starting point is straightforward: an electric heater's maximum active electricity consumption is determined by its rated wattage.
Understanding Maximum Active Consumption
A 1,000W heater operating continuously at full power for one hour uses 1kWh of electricity. Its maximum cost for that hour is therefore 1 × your electricity price per kWh.
A thermostatically controlled heating system may not draw full power continuously once the required temperature is reached. Its actual consumption over a day therefore depends on how frequently and for how long the heating switches on.
Winter conditions can increase that operating time because the building is losing more heat.
Heater wattage, room dimensions, insulation, external temperature, thermostat setting, occupancy and heating schedule can all influence the final result.
For a more detailed explanation and cost-per-hour examples, see our guide to how much infrared heating costs to run in the UK.
When Can Infrared Heating Be Particularly Useful in Winter?
The ability to divide heating into individual rooms or zones can be especially useful where different parts of a property are occupied at different times.
Homes
Different rooms can follow different heating requirements and schedules rather than every area operating identically.
Home Offices & Bedrooms
Rooms used only during certain parts of the day can be managed as their own heating zones.
Extensions & Garden Rooms
Separate spaces can have their own heating provision without necessarily extending an existing wet central-heating system.
Workshops & Commercial Spaces
Heating can be planned around working areas and occupancy patterns where appropriate.
Churches & Halls
Large or intermittently occupied buildings require a heating design based on the particular space and how it is used.
Individual Living Areas
Frequently occupied rooms can be sized and controlled according to their own heating requirement.
For frequently used rooms, many homeowners choose infrared heating panels sized according to the requirements of the individual space.
Infrared Heating vs Other Winter Heating Options
Comparing infrared heating with another system requires more than simply comparing the price of gas and electricity.
Conventional radiators, fan heaters, storage heaters and infrared heaters deliver and control heat in different ways. The better option for a particular property depends on factors including the building, occupancy, existing heating system, required temperatures and how the space is used.
Infrared's radiant approach can be particularly relevant where individual control and targeted heating are priorities.
You can explore the differences in more detail in our infrared heating vs traditional heating guide.
Can Infrared Heaters Replace Central Heating in Winter?
Infrared heating can be designed as a primary heating system for a property, provided the heaters are correctly specified for the heating requirements of each room or zone.
In other properties, infrared may be used alongside an existing heating system — for example, to provide independent heating in an extension, home office or another area with different usage patterns.
There is no single arrangement that is right for every building. The first step is calculating the required heating output rather than selecting heaters from a generic square-metre estimate.
You can calculate the required output using our room based wattage calculator.
The Key to Winter Running Costs
Don't Look at Electricity Price Alone
Electricity price per kWh is important, but it is only one part of the running-cost calculation.
When planning infrared heating, consider:
- The calculated wattage requirement for each room
- The number of hours each area actually needs heating
- Thermostat temperature settings
- How effectively the property retains heat
- Whether rooms can be divided into separate heating zones
- The current electricity tariff
These factors give a much more useful picture of likely winter energy use than comparing fuel prices in isolation.
Important
Thermostatic cycling should not be treated as a guaranteed running-cost percentage. A heater's actual operating time varies according to the room, building, weather, temperature setting and controls. For conservative cost calculations, start with the heater's maximum active consumption and then consider how the system will actually be controlled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do infrared heaters cost more to run in winter?
Winter generally increases heating demand because buildings lose heat more quickly in colder conditions. How much an infrared system costs to run depends on its total wattage, operating time, insulation, controls, required room temperatures and electricity tariff.
Are infrared heaters effective in very cold weather?
Infrared heaters continue to produce radiant heat in cold weather, but colder outdoor conditions increase building heat loss. The system therefore needs to be correctly sized for the room and property so that sufficient heating output is available during winter.
Can infrared heating reduce winter energy use?
It can help reduce unnecessary heating where individual rooms or zones can be controlled according to occupancy. Whether total energy consumption falls depends on the building, system being compared, thermostat settings and how the heating is used.
Do infrared heaters run continuously?
A correctly controlled system does not necessarily need to operate continuously. When infrared heaters are connected to suitable thermostatic controls, the heating can switch according to the temperature requirements of the relevant room or zone.
Is infrared heating suitable for overnight use?
Where the particular heater and installation are suitable for the application, thermostatic control can be used to maintain the required temperature according to a heating schedule. Always follow the installation and operating instructions for the specific heater.
How do I calculate the right infrared heater size?
Heater sizing should account for the room dimensions and building characteristics rather than relying on a fixed square-metre figure. Start with our room based wattage calculator.
Infrared Heating Supplies
Real-world heating experience: At Infrared Heating Supplies, we design and supply infrared heating systems for homes, commercial buildings and heritage properties across the UK. Correct sizing and appropriate control are central to the systems we recommend.
Plan Your Heating
Keep Winter Heating Costs Under Control
Start by calculating the heating requirement of the space, then choose the appropriate heater type and control strategy.
- Calculate accurately: Use our room based wattage calculator.
- Compare systems: See our infrared vs traditional heating guide.
- View the range: Explore our infrared panels and bar heaters.
For advice on a particular room, property or commercial project, speak with an infrared heating specialist.
Are Infrared Heaters Worth Using in Winter?
Infrared heating can provide an effective winter heating solution when the system is correctly sized for the building and controlled appropriately.
The biggest mistake is to judge winter running costs from electricity price alone. Heater wattage, building heat loss, operating time, thermostat settings and zoning all influence the amount of electricity ultimately consumed.
For properties where different rooms have different heating requirements, the ability to control individual heating zones can also help avoid heating areas unnecessarily.
Start by calculating the heating requirement with our wattage calculator, then choose the heaters and controls that best suit how the property is actually used.
NEED HELP WITH YOUR PROJECT?
Find the right infrared heating setup for your space.
Use our wattage calculator to estimate your heating requirement, or speak to our team for product and project guidance.