Question 1

Is infrared ceiling heating cheaper to run than a gas boiler?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for most UK homes, infrared ceiling heating costs significantly less to run than gas central heating, particularly when paired with solar. Using our shared cost model at 24.5p/kWh for a typical 3-bed UK home, a correctly sized infrared system runs at about £1621/year on grid electricity alone (without solar) and about £788/year when paired with a 4 kW solar PV array, compared to £800-£1,400/year for gas. Individual results depend on home insulation, panel sizing, and energy tariff.

Question 2

Do infrared panels work with solar panels?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and infrared panels are one of the best electric loads for solar-generated power. Because they switch on and off instantaneously, they pair well with solar PV and battery storage, surplus daytime generation goes straight into heating, and stored battery energy keeps panels running into the evening. This combination represents the lowest achievable running cost for any UK heating system.

Question 3

How does infrared ceiling heating work?

Accepted Answer

Infrared ceiling panels emit longwave radiant heat, the same type of warmth produced by sunlight. Unlike gas boilers or electric radiators, which heat the air and rely on convection to warm a room, infrared heats objects and people directly. Rooms feel warm within seconds of switching on, heat is not lost when doors open, and comfort levels are higher at lower air temperatures. The PowerBoard 250W model installs flush into the ceiling void, completely invisible, while the 500W and 750W surface-mount models fix directly to any ceiling type.

Question 4

What size infrared panel do I need?

Accepted Answer

Panel wattage is calculated based on room dimensions, ceiling height, insulation level, and glazing area. As a general guide, allow approximately 25W per m² for a well-insulated room with average ceiling height. A 20m² living room would therefore require approximately 500W of infrared heating, typically one or two panels depending on the configuration. Use our free system designer for an accurate room-by-room calculation, or book a free heat loss survey for a precise specification.

Question 5

Can infrared ceiling panels replace a gas boiler completely?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A correctly sized infrared panel system can fully replace gas central heating in most UK homes. The key requirement is accurate heat loss calculation for each room, which our free survey provides. Properties across the UK have already made the complete switch, including period homes, new builds, and commercial conversions. Infrared heating requires no gas supply, no flue, and no boiler cupboard.

Question 6

Can infrared heating replace an oil boiler or LPG system?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and for oil and LPG homeowners, the financial case is even stronger than for gas. Oil and LPG fuel costs are typically 40 to 60% higher per unit of heat than mains gas, meaning the running cost saving from switching to infrared is larger. Unlike gas, oil and LPG also require fuel tanks, regular deliveries, and dependence on volatile commodity markets. Infrared ceiling heating requires only a mains electricity supply, no tank, no delivery schedule, no price spikes. Our free survey covers all property types including those currently on oil or LPG.

Question 7

How long does PowerBoard installation take?

Accepted Answer

Most installations are completed within 1-2 days. A single room installation typically takes just a few hours, while whole house systems (up to 6 rooms) usually take 1-2 days. Our PoweRad-approved installers work efficiently to minimize any disruption to your home.

Question 8

What's included in the installation price?

Accepted Answer

Our fully installed prices include everything: the PowerBoard infrared panels, thermostat(s), all electrical work, mounting and fixings, full commissioning, electrical certification, and warranty registration. There are no hidden costs or call-out charges.

Question 9

Do I need to prepare my home before installation?

Accepted Answer

Very little preparation is needed. We just ask that you clear the areas where panels will be installed and ensure our engineers have access to your electrical consumer unit. Our team will cover floors and furniture to protect your home during the installation process.

Question 10

Are your installers certified?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all our installers are part of the PoweRad-approved installer network. They are fully qualified electricians with specific training on PowerBoard infrared panel installation. All work is completed to Part P Building Regulations standards with full electrical certification provided.

Question 11

What electrical work is needed for PowerBoard installation?

Accepted Answer

PowerBoard panels require a dedicated electrical circuit. Our engineers will assess your existing electrical setup during the free site survey. Most UK properties have sufficient capacity, but if an upgrade is needed, we'll include this in your quote upfront.

Question 12

Will installation cause much disruption?

Accepted Answer

PowerBoard installation is far less disruptive than traditional heating systems - no pipework, no radiators, no boiler. The panels mount on walls or ceilings with minimal mess. Most rooms can be used again within hours of installation being completed.

Question 13

What happens during the free site survey?

Accepted Answer

During your free site survey, our certified engineer will measure your rooms, assess insulation levels, calculate heat loss requirements, recommend panel sizes and positions, and provide a detailed written quote. This typically takes 30-60 minutes with no obligation.

Question 14

Can PowerBoard panels be installed in any room?

Accepted Answer

Yes, PowerBoard panels can be installed in virtually any room including bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, conservatories, and bathrooms (with appropriate IP-rated models). They're particularly effective in rooms that are hard to heat with traditional systems.

Question 15

Are infrared ceiling panels safe?

Accepted Answer

Yes. PowerBoard panels are BEAB-certified (Certificate No. 30095), the UK's leading independent electrical safety approval, and operate at surface temperatures that are warm to touch but not a burn risk. They produce no combustion emissions, no carbon monoxide, and no allergen-carrying air currents. They are particularly suited to homes with young children, elderly occupants, allergy sufferers, and clinical environments. Every installation is carried out by a registered electrician to UK Building Regulations.

Question 16

Do infrared ceiling panels need any maintenance?

Accepted Answer

No. Infrared panels have no moving parts, no filters, no fluid circuits, and no combustion components. There is nothing to service, adjust, or replace. PowerBoard panels are designed and warranted to operate maintenance-free for 30+ years, and carry a 10-year manufacturer's warranty. There is no annual safety check required and no registered engineer needed once installation is complete.

Question 17

Is infrared heating actually worth it?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you are replacing. Replacing storage heaters, oil, LPG or an ageing gas system in a reasonably insulated home: usually yes, on both comfort and running cost. Replacing a nearly-new efficient gas boiler in a small well-insulated home: often not on cost alone, unless you pair it with a battery on an off-peak tariff or solar. We publish exactly how we calculate this, and the free heat-loss survey gives you the like-for-like answer for your own home.

Question 18

What are the biggest problems people actually report?

Accepted Answer

The genuine ones: underestimating panel count for a poorly insulated room (fixed by surveying rather than guessing), badly placed panels warming furniture instead of people, and sticker shock at electricity unit rates when the system is run like a convection system instead of zoned. All three are avoidable with honest sizing and room-by-room thermostats.

Question 19

Do infrared panels use a lot of electricity?

Accepted Answer

Each panel draws 250 to 750 watts while heating, far less than a 3kW fan heater, and panels cycle with the thermostat rather than running flat out. The realistic question is monthly cost, which depends on your home and tariff: our running costs page has a calculator that works it out for your rooms, and with zoning most homes only heat the rooms they are actually using.

Question 20

Does infrared heating cause condensation or damp?

Accepted Answer

The opposite, usually. Radiant heat warms walls and surfaces directly, which keeps them above the dew point and reduces the cold spots where condensation forms. It will not fix a building defect like a leaking gutter or rising damp, but compared with convection heating it typically reduces surface condensation.

Question 21

Can infrared heat a whole house, or is it just for single rooms?

Accepted Answer

It heats whole houses, and that is where zoning pays off most: a typical modern 3-bed semi needs around 22 x 250W concealed ceiling panels, or 10 to 14 higher-output 500W/750W surface-mounted panels, with a thermostat per room. Plenty of customers start with one or two rooms and extend, because panels work independently of any existing system. The free heat-loss survey sizes the whole house properly.

Question 22

Why are you telling me the downsides?

Accepted Answer

Because over-promising erodes trust exactly when it matters, at the point you decide. PoweRad is a founder-run Welsh company; the founder is a qualified electrician who designed the panel. If infrared is not right for your home we would rather say so at the survey stage than have an unhappy customer, and everything we claim traces to a published model.

The UK's Infrared Ceiling Heating Specialist

Infrared Heating FAQs | Costs, Installation and Safety | PoweRad