Everything You Need to Know About Infrared Heating Costs
How much does infrared heating cost per hour?
Infrared heating costs 3p-20p per hour depending on panel size and type:
- • 250W PowerBoard Invisible: ~7p per hour (1200x600mm ceiling integration)
- • 250W PowerBoard Surface: ~7p per hour (wall/ceiling mount)
- • 750W PowerBoard Surface: ~20.25p per hour (retrofit surface-mount)
*Based on 27p 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: £135-270/year (250W invisible system: £135-180)
- • Living room: £270-405/year (multi-panel systems: £270-315)
- • Kitchen: £180-315/year (PowerBoard system: £180-225)
- • Office: £225-360/year (smart controls: £225-270)
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: £49/year (covers 18-35% ceiling based on insulation)
- • 4 hours daily: £99/year (smart thermostat compatible)
- • 5 hours daily (typical): £123/year (with solar: £37/year)
- • 8 hours daily: £197/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 cuts the heat wasted on empty rooms:
- • 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 often a better fit 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: heat only the rooms in use
- • 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
- 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 instead of the whole house
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