Everything You Need to Know About Infrared Heating Costs

How much does infrared heating cost per hour?

Infrared heating costs 3p-18p per hour depending on panel size and type:

• • 250W PowerBoard Invisible: ~6p per hour (1200x600mm ceiling integration)
• • 250W PowerBoard Surface: ~6p per hour (wall/ceiling mount)
• • 750W PowerBoard Surface: ~18.75p per hour (retrofit surface-mount)

*Based on 25p per kWh electricity rate. PowerBoard 250W uses ceiling coverage based on insulation quality for optimal performance.

What does it cost to heat a room for a year?

Annual costs by room type (5 hours daily usage):

• • Small bedroom: £125-250/year (250W invisible system: £125-165)
• • Living room: £250-375/year (multi-panel systems: £250-290)
• • Kitchen: £165-290/year (PowerBoard system: £165-210)
• • Office: £210-335/year (smart controls: £210-250)

Lower ranges show advanced systems with smart thermostats and optimal panel placement.

How does usage time affect costs?

PowerBoard 250W invisible system (1200x600mm panel):

• • 2 hours daily: £41/year (covers 18-35% ceiling based on insulation)
• • 4 hours daily: £82/year (smart thermostat compatible)
• • 5 hours daily (typical): £103/year (with solar: £31/year)
• • 8 hours daily: £164/year (room-by-room control)

PowerBoard 750W surface panels cost ~3x more to run per panel, but fewer are needed. Solar integration shown for daytime usage.

Is infrared heating cheaper than gas?

Yes, when used strategically. Zone heating with infrared can save 30-40%:

• • Gas central heating: £1,200-1,800/year (whole house)
• • Infrared zone heating: £800-1,200/year (occupied rooms only)
• • No boiler maintenance: Save £100-150/year
• • No gas standing charge: Save £100+/year

How does it compare to storage heaters?

Infrared heating is up to 50% cheaper to run than storage heaters:

• • Storage heaters: £400-600/room/year
• • Infrared panels: £200-350/room/year
• • Instant heat vs waiting hours
• • Precise temperature control

What about compared to heat pumps?

Running costs are similar, but installation differs:

• • Heat pump: £800-1,200/year + £15,000+ install
• • Infrared: £800-1,200/year + £2,000-4,000 install
• • No external units or major works needed
• • Works in all property types

All figures are estimates based on typical UK usage scenarios. Actual costs vary by property size, insulation, electricity tariff, usage patterns, and heating zones used. Figures are for guidance only and do not constitute a guarantee of energy costs or savings. Use our free calculator or request a survey for personalised figures.

What Affects Your Running Costs?

• • Well-insulated rooms need 30-40% less power
• • High ceilings require higher wattage panels
• • Single-glazed windows increase costs
• • Draft-proofing can halve running costs
• • Zone heating: 40-60% savings vs whole house
• • Smart thermostats: Room-by-room control (-20%)
• • App control: Remote access, scheduling
• • PowerBoard system: Invisible panels + smart controls
• • Lower temps: 19°C vs 21°C saves 10-15%
• • Economy 7 rates: Use timers for cheaper periods
• • Solar panels: Near-free daytime heating
• • Fixed-rate deals can save 10-20%
• • Smart tariffs optimize usage times

PowerBoard Advanced Features

• Completely invisible: Integrated into ceiling structure - no visible panels
• 250W panels: 1200x600mm, covers 20% ceiling area efficiently
• Professional aesthetics: Perfect for modern homes and commercial spaces
• Any property type: New builds, renovations, period properties
• Smart app control: Room-by-room temperature control from anywhere
• Zone heating: Heat only occupied rooms - 40-60% savings
• Battery and solar: a battery on an off-peak tariff cuts costs by up to 70%, solar and battery by up to 90%
• Learning system: Automatically optimizes based on your routine

Zone Heat Only Used Rooms

Heat only occupied spaces - can save 40-60% vs whole house heating

Use Smart Thermostats

Programmable controls reduce usage by 15-25% with optimal scheduling

Improve Insulation

Better insulation means smaller panels and lower running costs

Lower Temperature Settings

19°C instead of 21°C can save 10-15% annually

Use Economy Tariffs

Economy 7 or smart tariffs can halve overnight heating costs

Add Solar Panels

Solar + infrared = near-zero daytime heating costs

Choose PowerBoard Invisible System

250W panels with 18-35% coverage based on insulation quality provide optimal performance with invisible installation

Regular Maintenance

Clean panels maintain peak efficiency - unlike gas boilers, no service costs

Real UK Customer Running Costs

"Invisible ceiling panels + app control. Zone heating with smart thermostats in each room. The system learns our routine and optimizes heating automatically."

System: 12x 250W panels, smart thermostats, room-by-room control

"Solar panels power our invisible heating during the day for free. The app automatically uses solar when available, grid power when needed."

System: 8x 250W panels, 4kW solar array, smart battery storage

"Invisible ceiling installation maintains professional aesthetics. Smart controls heat rooms based on occupancy sensors. App integration tracks usage by department."

System: 45x 250W panels, occupancy sensors, central app control