Infrared Heating vs Electric Radiators: Which Should You Choose?
Infrared panels and electric radiators are both powered by electricity, require no wet central-heating pipework and can be used to heat individual rooms or multiple areas.
The major difference is not where their electricity comes from — it is how they deliver heat into the room.
Is Infrared Heating Better Than Electric Radiators?
Neither system is universally better.
Infrared panels place greater emphasis on radiant heat towards people and surfaces, while conventional electric radiators generally transfer a greater proportion of their heat into the surrounding air through convection while also providing some radiant heat.
Infrared may be particularly attractive where you want radiant heating, ceiling-mounting options, clear lower wall space or a carefully zoned room-by-room system.
Electric radiators may suit someone who prefers a familiar radiator format and has suitable lower wall space available.
Infrared Heating and Electric Radiators Use Electricity Differently in the Room
Both systems are forms of direct electric heating.
An infrared heater uses electricity to heat an emitting surface, which releases infrared energy towards people and solid surfaces within its effective radiant area.
Those surfaces absorb the radiant energy and warm.
Conventional electric radiators also use electrical resistance to generate heat, but generally transfer more of that heat to the surrounding air. The warmer air then circulates through the room.
Important: this isn't a comparison between an infrared heater that converts electricity into heat and a radiator that somehow wastes most of its electricity. Both are direct electric heating. The meaningful differences are heat distribution, positioning, control and how the system is used.
If you're new to the technology, our Complete Infrared Heating Guide explains radiant heating in more detail.
Infrared Panels vs Electric Radiators
| Factor | Infrared Panels | Electric Radiators |
|---|---|---|
| Energy source | Electricity | Electricity |
| Heat delivery | Greater emphasis on radiant heating | Generally greater emphasis on convection, with radiant heat too |
| Pipework | No water-filled space-heating circuit required | No water-filled space-heating circuit required |
| Typical position | Wall or ceiling depending on the specific heater | Usually wall mounted or freestanding |
| Ceiling options | Available with suitable infrared models | Not the usual radiator format |
| Room zoning | Possible with an appropriate control arrangement | Also possible with suitable radiator controls |
| Lower wall space | Can be preserved by using suitable ceiling models | Usually requires a suitable wall position |
| Hot water | Separate hot-water system required | Separate hot-water system required |
Is Infrared Heating Cheaper to Run Than Electric Radiators?
Not automatically.
A 1kW infrared heater drawing its full rated power continuously for one hour uses 1kWh of electricity.
A 1kW direct electric radiator drawing its full rated power continuously for one hour also uses 1kWh.
If both are on the same electricity tariff, their maximum electricity cost during that hour is therefore based on the same 1kWh consumption.
Where real-world bills can differ is in the complete system:
- How much heating output is installed
- How long heaters operate
- Thermostat settings
- Room-by-room zoning
- Occupancy schedules
- Heater positioning
- Building heat loss
See our Infrared Heating Running Costs guide for a more detailed explanation.
Radiant Heat vs Convection Heat
This is one of the biggest practical differences between the two approaches.
Greater Emphasis on Radiant Heat
Infrared energy travels from the heater towards people and solid surfaces within its effective field.
This means radiant warmth can be experienced without relying entirely on raising the temperature of all the surrounding air first.
Greater Emphasis on Heating the Air
Conventional electric radiators generally transfer a greater proportion of their heat to the surrounding air.
As the air warms it circulates through the room, while the radiator itself can also provide some radiant heat.
Neither system removes the need to account for building heat loss.
A poorly insulated room will continue to lose heat regardless of which heater is installed.
Infrared Panels Can Offer More Mounting Flexibility
One practical difference is where the heater can go.
Electric radiators are generally positioned on walls, often relatively low down.
Infrared heating can include wall-mounted panels and dedicated ceiling-mounted heaters, depending on the specific product.
Ceiling mounting can be useful where wall space is already occupied by:
- Sofas
- Wardrobes
- Kitchen units
- Desks
- Storage
- Artwork
However, infrared positioning matters because radiant coverage needs to be considered.
Our Ceiling vs Wall-Mounted Infrared Panels guide explains this in more detail.
Which System Needs More Wattage?
It is better not to compare heater wattages without first understanding the room's heating requirement.
The building continually loses heat through its fabric, glazing, ventilation and other routes.
Any primary heating system therefore needs sufficient output for the space it is expected to heat.
For infrared, we recommend calculating the room first rather than relying on a universal square-metre claim.
Read What Size Infrared Heater Do I Need? and How Many Infrared Panels Do I Need? for the two different parts of the sizing process.
Which Gives Better Room-by-Room Control?
Both infrared heaters and modern electric radiators can be controlled on an individual-room basis when the appropriate controls are installed.
So room-by-room control should not be presented as something that only infrared heating can provide.
For infrared, the exact arrangement depends on the heater. Some models have built-in controls, while others can be used with an appropriate external thermostat arrangement.
For genuinely independent rooms or zones, the control system also needs to be independently arranged. One thermostat should not be assumed to provide separate temperature control across several rooms.
Read our Do Infrared Heaters Need a Thermostat? guide for the full explanation.
Can Infrared Panels Replace Electric Radiators Throughout a House?
Yes, infrared panels can form the primary space-heating system across multiple rooms when the property is properly assessed and the system is correctly designed.
But replacing electric radiators should not simply involve matching the number of existing radiators with the same number of infrared panels.
Instead, work through the house room by room:
- Calculate the heating requirement
- Determine the required wattage
- Decide how many heaters are appropriate
- Plan suitable radiant positions
- Design the controls
- Assess the electrical installation
Read our Can Infrared Heating Heat a Whole House? guide before planning a complete conversion.
Which Is Easier to Install?
Both systems avoid the water-filled pipework associated with conventional wet radiator systems.
But installation requirements vary considerably between products and projects.
An electric radiator may require a suitable wall position and electrical connection.
A fixed infrared system may involve wall or ceiling mounting, electrical work and a separate or built-in control arrangement depending on the heater.
It is therefore misleading to say that either technology is always easier or cheaper to install.
Read our Infrared Heater Installation Guide or our upcoming Infrared Heating Installation Cost guide.
What If Your Home Doesn't Have Gas?
This is where the comparison becomes particularly relevant.
If a property has no gas connection, both infrared panels and electric radiators are potential direct-electric space-heating options.
But they are not the only choices.
Depending on the property, alternatives can include heat pumps, storage heating and other electric systems.
We've separated this broader decision into Best Heating for a House Without Gas.
For an apartment, see Best Electric Heating for a Flat.
What About Storage Heaters?
Storage heaters need to be considered separately from ordinary direct-acting electric radiators.
They store thermal energy using electricity during selected periods and release that stored heat later.
That means electricity tariffs and the timing of energy use can become particularly important.
We've given this comparison its own guide: Infrared Heating vs Storage Heaters.
Infrared Panels May Suit You If...
You Want...
- Greater emphasis on radiant heating
- Wall or suitable ceiling-mounted options
- To preserve lower wall space
- A slim panel format
- Room-by-room heating with appropriate controls
- A heating system without wet space-heating pipework
You Prefer...
- A familiar radiator-style heater
- More convection-led room heating
- Using available lower wall positions
- Individual electric radiators in each room
- An existing electric radiator arrangement that already suits the property
If you're still at the beginning of the decision, read Infrared Heating Pros & Cons and Is Infrared Heating Worth It?.
Infrared Heating vs Electric Radiator FAQs
Is infrared heating cheaper than electric radiators?
Not automatically. Both are direct electric heating technologies. Running costs depend on installed wattage, electricity tariff, operating time, thermostat settings, building heat loss, zoning and how the rooms are used.
Is infrared heating more efficient than electric radiators?
It is misleading to claim that infrared simply converts electricity into substantially more heat than another direct electric resistance heater. The important differences are how the heat is distributed, how it is experienced, heater positioning and how the system is controlled.
Can infrared panels replace electric radiators?
Yes. Infrared panels can provide primary space heating when the required output, quantity, positioning, controls and electrical installation are correctly planned for the property.
Do infrared heaters warm the air?
Infrared heaters emphasise radiant transfer towards people and surfaces. As warmed surfaces exchange heat with their surroundings, the room air can also warm. The distinction is therefore not that infrared never warms air, but that radiant transfer plays a greater role.
Do electric radiators only heat the air?
No. Electric radiators can transfer heat through both convection and radiation. Conventional designs generally place greater emphasis on heating the surrounding air than infrared panels do.
Can infrared heating be used throughout an entire house?
Yes, when the property is correctly assessed and each room has sufficient heating output, appropriate heater positioning and suitable controls. See our whole-house infrared heating guide.
Which is better for a flat: infrared panels or electric radiators?
It depends on the flat, existing heating system, room layout, insulation, available mounting positions and how the rooms are used. See our Best Electric Heating for a Flat guide.
Considering Switching from Electric Radiators to Infrared?
Start by working out how much heating each room actually needs rather than simply replacing each radiator with a similarly sized panel.
Calculate the required output, plan the heater quantity and positioning, then decide how each room will be controlled.
Read our Complete Infrared Heating Guide, explore our infrared wall panels, view our ceiling infrared panels or speak to the IHS team about your project →