INSIGHTS & GUIDES
Infrared Heating Running Costs: How Much Does It Cost to Run in the UK?
How much does infrared heating cost to run? The answer depends mainly on the wattage of your heaters, your electricity tariff, how long the heating operates and how effectively each room retains heat.
Unlike a fixed running-cost claim, infrared heating costs can be calculated quite accurately because an electric heater's maximum electricity consumption is determined by its wattage.
Quick Answer
How much does infrared heating cost to run?
Using an illustrative electricity price of 26.32p per kWh, a 350W infrared panel costs approximately 9.2p per hour while actively heating, a 600W panel approximately 15.8p per hour, and a 1,800W bar heater approximately 47.4p per hour.
These are maximum active-heating costs rather than guaranteed hourly averages. A thermostat can switch the heater off once the required temperature is reached, so actual consumption over several hours depends on the property, heat loss, thermostat setting and heating schedule.
The examples below use 26.32p/kWh for illustration. Your actual electricity tariff may be higher or lower.
How to calculate infrared heater running costs
The simplest way to calculate the maximum running cost of an infrared heater is to use its rated wattage together with the unit price on your electricity tariff.
Running Cost Formula
Heater wattage ÷ 1,000 × electricity price per kWh = cost per hour
For example, a 600W infrared panel uses 0.6kWh if it operates continuously at full power for one hour.
At an electricity rate of 26.32p/kWh:
0.6 × 26.32p = approximately 15.8p per hour
This gives you the heater's cost while it is actively drawing power. Where thermostatic control is used, the heater may not need to remain energised continuously once the required temperature has been reached.
Infrared heating running cost examples
The following figures show the approximate maximum electricity cost while different heater outputs are actively heating, using an illustrative rate of 26.32p/kWh.
| Heater Output | Electricity Used Per Hour | Approx. Cost Per Active Hour |
|---|---|---|
| 350W | 0.35kWh | 9.2p |
| 600W | 0.60kWh | 15.8p |
| 860W | 0.86kWh | 22.6p |
| 1,800W | 1.80kWh | 47.4p |
| 3,000W | 3.00kWh | 79.0p |
These figures do not mean that a thermostatically controlled heater will necessarily consume that amount every hour throughout the day. They show the cost when the heater is actively drawing its full rated power.
What affects the running cost of infrared heating?
Wattage tells you the maximum electrical consumption of the heater, but your overall heating bill depends on how the complete heating system is designed and used.
01
Heater wattage
A higher-output heater consumes more electricity while operating than a lower-output heater. However, simply choosing the lowest-wattage heater is not the answer.
The heating system needs to be correctly sized for the room and its heat-loss characteristics. An undersized heater may struggle to achieve the required temperature and may need to operate for longer.
You can use our infrared heating wattage calculator to estimate the heating requirement for your rooms. For more detail on the factors that determine output, read what size infrared heater do I need?
02
Your electricity tariff
Running costs change directly with the price you pay for electricity. A household paying 20p/kWh will have a different running cost from one paying 30p/kWh, even when using exactly the same heater.
When comparing running costs, always use the unit rate shown on your own electricity tariff rather than relying solely on a national example.
03
Thermostat control and heating schedules
Thermostatic control allows the heating system to respond to room temperature rather than simply remaining switched on continuously.
Once the target temperature is reached, the thermostat can switch the heating off and reactivate it when further heat is required.
Programmable controls can also help avoid heating rooms unnecessarily. Our Netmostat Smart Wi-Fi Thermostat, for example, provides temperature control, scheduling and independent heating-zone control for compatible infrared heaters without built-in thermostats.
If you're deciding how infrared heaters should be controlled, read do infrared heaters need a thermostat? for a fuller explanation of thermostatic control, built-in controls and external thermostats.
04
Room size and heat loss
Two rooms of the same floor area can require very different amounts of heating.
Factors including insulation, ceiling height, glazing, external walls, building age and room use all affect the amount of heat required to maintain a comfortable temperature.
This is why we recommend calculating the heating requirement for the individual room rather than selecting an infrared heater using floor area alone.
05
How and when the room is used
A home office occupied during working hours has a different heating requirement from a bedroom used mainly in the evening or a commercial space occupied intermittently.
Independent heating zones make it possible to heat occupied areas according to their own schedules rather than necessarily operating every heater in the property at the same time.
Example infrared heating running costs by room
The examples below demonstrate how running costs can be estimated. Because actual thermostat cycling varies considerably between properties, we have not assumed a fixed percentage duty cycle.
Example 01
Small Room or Home Office
- Heater: 350W infrared panel
- Example electricity rate: 26.32p/kWh
- Maximum active running cost: approximately 9.2p per hour
- Five continuous active heating hours: approximately 46p
A thermostat may reduce the actual active heating time once the required temperature is reached.
Example 02
Living Room or Bedroom
- Heater: 600W infrared panel
- Example electricity rate: 26.32p/kWh
- Maximum active running cost: approximately 15.8p per hour
- Six continuous active heating hours: approximately 95p
Actual consumption will depend on heat loss, temperature setting and how frequently thermostatic control calls for heat.
Example 03
Commercial Space or Larger Room
- Heater: 1,800W infrared bar heater
- Example electricity rate: 26.32p/kWh
- Maximum active running cost: approximately 47.4p per hour
- Six continuous active heating hours: approximately £2.84
This represents six hours of continuous operation at full rated output rather than an assumed thermostatic running pattern.
Planning for winter? For seasonal concerns and colder-weather usage, you may also find it helpful to read are infrared heaters expensive to run in winter.
Why can infrared heating running costs differ from conventional heating?
Infrared heating delivers a greater proportion of its heat by radiation, warming people and surrounding surfaces rather than relying primarily on warming and circulating room air.
That difference can be particularly useful where zoning, targeted heating or individual room control is important.
However, comparing infrared heating with gas boilers, heat pumps or other electric heating systems purely on an hourly heater cost can be misleading. Different systems use different fuels, have different efficiencies and operate in different ways.
The meaningful comparison is the amount of energy and total cost required to provide the level of comfort you need in your particular property.
For a broader comparison, see our infrared vs traditional heating guide.
If you're comparing direct electric heating options specifically, see infrared heating vs electric radiators and infrared heating vs storage heaters.
Can infrared heating be used for whole-house heating?
Infrared heating can be designed as a primary heating system as well as being used for individual rooms or supplementary heating.
A whole-property system should be designed around the heating requirement of each room rather than applying the same heater output throughout the building.
- Calculate the required wattage room by room
- Select an appropriate heater type and position
- Use individual thermostatic zones where appropriate
- Create heating schedules around room occupancy
- Consider insulation and other opportunities to reduce heat loss
Start with our room-based infrared heating wattage calculator if you're planning a multi-room installation.
For a more detailed look at using infrared as the primary heating system across multiple rooms, read can infrared heating heat a whole house?
How to keep infrared heating running costs under control
Correctly size the heating
Installing too little heating can leave the system struggling to reach the desired temperature, while unnecessary oversizing increases the available electrical load. Calculate the requirement for each space before choosing your heaters.
Use thermostatic control
Thermostats allow the heating to respond automatically to the required room temperature rather than relying on manual switching.
Create separate heating zones
Where appropriate, divide the property into independently controlled zones so rooms can follow different temperatures and schedules.
Reduce unnecessary heat loss
Insulation, draught reduction and suitable glazing can reduce the amount of heat a building needs regardless of which heating technology is installed.
Check your electricity tariff
Because electric heating costs are directly affected by the unit price of electricity, your tariff can have a significant effect on overall running costs. Time-of-use tariffs may also be relevant for some households depending on when their heating is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is infrared heating expensive to run?
The running cost depends on heater wattage, electricity price and how long the heater actually operates. For example, at 26.32p/kWh, a 600W infrared heater costs approximately 15.8p for an hour of continuous operation at full output.
How much does an infrared heater cost per hour in the UK?
Multiply the heater's output in kilowatts by your electricity price per kWh. At 26.32p/kWh, a 350W heater costs approximately 9.2p per active hour, while a 1,800W heater costs approximately 47.4p.
Does an infrared heater use electricity continuously?
A heater without thermostatic control can continue drawing its rated power while switched on. With suitable thermostatic control, the heating can switch on and off according to the temperature requirement. The amount of active heating time varies between properties and conditions. For more detail, see our infrared heating thermostat guide.
Does infrared heating save money?
Infrared heating can offer useful opportunities for room-by-room zoning, scheduling and targeted heating. Whether it reduces your total heating bill depends on your existing heating system, property, electricity tariff, heat loss and how the new system is designed and operated.
Can infrared heating replace gas heating?
Infrared heating can be designed as a primary electric heating system, including for properties moving away from gas. Whether it is the right approach depends on the building's heating requirements, electrical installation, energy tariffs and how the property is used.
Plan Your Heating
Calculate Your Infrared Heating Requirements
The first step towards understanding potential running costs is determining how much heating your rooms actually require.
- Calculate your heating requirement: Use our room-based wattage calculator.
- Understand your options: Compare systems in our infrared vs traditional heating guide.
- Explore the range: View our infrared panels and bar heaters.
For tailored advice, speak with an infrared heating specialist.
Infrared Heating Running Costs: The Bottom Line
Infrared heating running costs are straightforward to calculate: the heater's wattage tells you how much electricity it consumes while actively heating, and your electricity tariff determines what that electricity costs.
The more important question for a complete heating system is how much heating the property requires and how long the heaters need to operate. Insulation, room size, heat loss, temperature settings, zoning and thermostatic control can all influence total consumption.
If you're considering those costs as part of the wider decision to install infrared heating, our Is Infrared Heating Worth It? guide looks at running costs alongside installation, comfort, controls and other practical considerations.
To estimate how much heating your own rooms require, use our wattage calculator.
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