At ARC Thermal Solutions, one of the UK’s trusted infrared experts, we're often asked: “Is infrared heating expensive to run?” The short answer is – no, it’s often a smarter, more cost-effective alternative to gas central heating.
If you're tired of relying on traditional convection systems that heat the air rather than you, infrared could be the solution. It offers targeted, low-maintenance heating that’s easy to install and even easier to control.
Running costs depend on:
Infrared heating stands out because it warms objects and people directly, not the air – minimising heat loss and on-time whilst improving thermal comfort.
Across various market comparisons, infrared heating is consistently shown to be one of the most affordable systems when you consider the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). For an average UK home (typically between 85–100m²), infrared systems have been shown to cost £800–£1,000 annually, including capital investment, installation, running cost, maintenance, and eventual replacement.
This suggests that infrared heating has the lowest Total Cost of Ownership of any electric heating system, and is highly competitive with even the most efficient gas systems.
By comparison:
can cost over - £1,700/year
can cost £1,500/year
can cost £1,300/year
Cost £1,000-£1,200/year (+high upfront cost)
can cost £1,200/year
Can cost £600-800/year, though less efficient in part-time or zonal use
Infrared panels work by emitting long-wave radiant heat that warms people, furniture, walls and floors (any thermal mass) - not the air.
Infrared is also zone controllable, so you only heat the rooms you need, or even just specific areas within a room - unlike central systems which often heat the whole house.
This means:
By not heating unused space
Making them feel warmer than the air around them
This means the infrared panels are on for less time to maintain a constant temperature. In contrast, air needs to be continually charged to maintain its temperature
Without affecting a person’s thermal comfort = reduce on-time
Targeted for zonal or intermittent use
Delivers comfort faster than convection
zero maintenance / long product life (20yrs+)
lower renewable energy costs
modern programmable thermostats
Many ARC clients have told us they’ve seen noticeable reductions in their energy bills - especially when switching from outdated electric storage heaters or oversized gas systems.
Additionally, independent research from Carbon Trust shows that lowering your thermostat by just 1°C can reduce heating energy use by around 6-8%. Because infrared heat directly warms people, they feel warmer than the air temperature, so the thermostat can be lowered by 2-3°C - potentially saving 12–18% on heating bills without sacrificing comfort.
ARC Thermal designs each system for the space it serves, ensuring you get maximum performance with minimal energy use. We also advise on controls, zoning, and pairing with renewables.
Even when compared to low-carbon systems like heat pumps, infrared can be more cost-effective in certain applications, especially where:
Space or budget limits large installations
Only certain zones need heating
Quick heat-up and comfort is required
Gas boilers may still win on cost per kWh, but they heat air inefficiently and often require the whole system to run - wasting energy and requiring annual maintenance. Infrared, by contrast, works on demand and with near-zero energy loss.
While infrared is often compared to other electric systems, it’s also worth considering how it stacks up against traditional gas central heating.
Gas heating may still seem cost-effective per unit, but:
❌ It wastes energy by heating the air (which quickly cools and requires reheating)
❌ The boiler must run to heat either one room or the whole house
❌ Installation is more complex and disruptive , and the system regular annual servicing
❌ It’s increasingly incompatible with low-carbon goals
Infrared heating changes the model. Instead of circulating hot air, it warms people, surface, and object in the room - just like the sun. That means better comfort, less energy use, and more control.
✅ No boiler, simple installation and no servicing
✅ Lower energy use per room
✅ Full control
✅ Works effectively with Solar PV
Infrared is ideal for homes looking to decarbonise, reduce reliance on gas, or simply take control of their heating bills.
Infrared heating is not expensive to run - in fact, it’s often the most affordable electric heating system when you consider the Total Cost of Ownership. If you’re ready to move away from the complexity and cost of gas, infrared is a smarter, simpler solution that’s better suited to how we live and heat today.
With lower capital costs than heat pumps, better efficiency than convection and storage heaters, and simpler installation than central heating systems, infrared is a smart long-term investment that can offer some of the lowest lifetime costs in home heating.
Per kWh, yes. However, it is not just about price per kWh. You must consider the Total Cost of Ownership of your heating system and the level of comfort it provides - this is what makes infrared a smart long term investment.
Yes. Many ARC clients have saved 30–50% after switching from their existing heating system.
It’s more efficient, warms faster, runs at lower wattage, and requires no maintenance.
ARC Thermal. Our expert team will guide you through product options, running costs, and savings estimates - including integration with smart controls and Solar PV.
ARC Thermal is the UK’s exclusive supplier of ETHERMA infrared heating - market-leading Austrian-engineered systems now accredited by the European Infrared Heating Alliance (EIHA).
We’ll help you design the right heating specification plan, estimate running costs, and choose the ideal installation for your home, office or workspace.
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