Consent

This site uses third party services that need your consent. Learn more

Skip to content
0800 210 0288 Quality Infrared Heating Contact us
ARC Thermal
Shop now
Login

Article

Why EPCs Overestimate Heating Energy - And What That Means for Infrared Heating

Why EPC’s Overestimate Heating Energy and What That Means for Infrared Heating

A major UK study has confirmed what many in the industry suspected: Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) often overestimate how much energy a home actually uses, by as much as 48% in some cases. 

The research, published in Energy & Buildings, compared predicted energy use from EPCs to real-world smart meter data from over 1,300 homes. The result? Across the board, EPCs assumed people used far more energy than they really do; even when factoring in household size, thermostat settings, and building type. 

So, what does this mean for infrared heating?

EPCs don’t reflect real-life heating habits

EPCs are based on an outdated idea that we heat every room in a house to the same temperature, all day long.

In reality, most people don’t.

Infrared heating takes this even further - heating people and surfaces directly, often in carefully zoned areas (a desk or a single room in use).

Smarter heating doesn’t always ‘score points’

Because infrared works differently from boilers or radiators, it doesn’t always show up well in an EPC model (even if it costs less to run and feels more comfortable in practice). 

We’re upfront about that. Infrared heating isn’t about chasing EPC ratings. 

It’s about heating more efficiently, more comfortably, and more sustainably - based on how people actually live and work, not how a model thinks they should.

Real data matters more than theory

This study reminds us that real-world performance is what matters most.

That’s why we focus on:

Running costs based on actual usage

Long service life

20+ years for a LAVA panel

Smart, zoned control strategies that avoid waste

Comfortable warmth that people genuinely feel

So if you’re making heating decisions based solely on EPCs - it might be worth taking a second look.

Related resources

Browse content related to “Why EPCs Overestimate Heating Energy - And What That Means for Infrared Heating”