Is Electric Heating More Expensive Than Gas or Oil?

As the cost of living continues to rise, the search for affordable, efficient home heating solutions has become increasingly important. Many homeowners are left wondering: Would it cost less to heat my home with electricity? Although the upfront cost and per-unit price of gas have historically been more affordable than electricity, advancements in electric heating—especially infrared heating panels—have changed the equation.

In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the various heating options available in the UK, comparing their costs, efficiency, and effectiveness. We’ll also explain why infrared heating panels are emerging as a top choice for homeowners looking for a low-cost, energy-efficient way to heat their homes.

The Real Costs of Heating with Gas and Oil

For years, gas and oil have been the go-to options for home heating in the UK, especially given the lower unit price of gas compared to electricity. However, with fluctuating gas prices and increased environmental awareness, these traditional methods come with several drawbacks.

Upfront Costs of Gas and Oil Heating Systems

Installing a new gas central heating system in a typical UK home can be a substantial investment, often ranging from £5,000 to £7,000 or more for a three-bedroom property. This cost includes the boiler, radiators, and pipework, plus installation. Oil heating systems, although less common in urban areas, have a similar setup cost.

In comparison, installing a full infrared heating system in a three-bedroom home typically costs between £2,000 and £4,000—a much more affordable investment than gas central heating.

Gas Central Heating: Limited Zoning and High Energy Waste

One of the significant inefficiencies with gas central heating systems is their inability to zone heat effectively. Once a gas heating system is turned on, hot water circulates throughout the entire house, taking anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to start distributing heat evenly.

Even when individual radiators are turned down in certain rooms, hot water still circulates through all the radiators and pipes, causing unnecessary heat and energy loss. This inability to control heating room by room results in wasted energy, as the system heats unoccupied rooms and spaces that don’t need warmth. Over time, this not only increases energy consumption but also leads to higher bills and less efficiency.

How Infrared Heating Panels Differ from Conventional Electric Heating

Electric heating has traditionally been seen as more costly than gas or oil. However, it’s essential to differentiate between types of electric heating methods. While older electric heating systems like storage heaters and electric convection radiators can be expensive to run, modern infrared heating panels offer a significantly more efficient solution.

Infrared Heating’s Radiant Heat vs. Convection Heat

Gas and oil heating systems, as well as conventional electric heaters, typically rely on convection heating. This process involves warming the air around the heating source and circulating it throughout the room. The drawback of convection heating is that warm air rises, and as it cools, it creates a cycle that requires constant heating, which can be inefficient.

Infrared heating panels, on the other hand, use a radiant heating method. Instead of heating the air, infrared panels emit infrared waves that warm up objects and people directly. This form of radiant heat is not only more comfortable and targeted but also much more efficient. It allows infrared panels to use 42% less wattage than traditional electric convection radiators to heat an equivalent-sized area, making them cheaper to run.

Rapid and Targeted Heating

Infrared panels are highly responsive, reaching the desired temperature within minutes. In a well-insulated room, it can take only 10 to 20 minutes to feel the warmth fully. Once the room reaches the desired temperature, the infrared panel cycles on and off as needed, maintaining the temperature without running continuously.

This precise, on-demand heating means infrared panels are rarely on for the entire hour, contributing to lower energy costs and improved efficiency compared to other electric heating systems.

Comparing Infrared Heating Panels to Heat Pumps and Electric Storage Heaters

When considering electric heating options, homeowners may also come across heat pumps and storage heaters. Both systems have their merits, but they also come with notable limitations that set infrared heating apart.

Heat Pumps: Efficient but Expensive

Heat pumps, which transfer heat from the air or ground, are an efficient form of electric heating. However, the installation costs are prohibitively high for many homeowners, often exceeding £10,000 for air source heat pumps and even more for ground source versions. Additionally, heat pumps are most efficient in milder weather, which can be limiting in colder months.

In contrast, infrared heating panels provide a more affordable upfront investment with similarly low running costs, making them an attractive alternative to the high-cost heat pump option.

Storage Heaters: Outdated and Inefficient

Electric storage heaters, once popular due to cheaper night-time electricity rates, are now seen as outdated. These heaters store heat overnight and release it during the day, but they are notoriously difficult to control. The heat is often released too quickly or too slowly, resulting in a lack of flexibility and potential energy wastage. Infrared panels, by comparison, offer immediate warmth when needed, with precise temperature control, making them far superior to storage heaters in both cost and efficiency.

Infrared Heating Panels and Cost Efficiency in the UK

The high efficiency and cost-effectiveness of infrared heating panels make them an excellent choice for UK homeowners who want an affordable, sustainable way to heat their homes.

Lower Running Costs and Improved Efficiency

Infrared heating panels require less wattage to achieve the same level of warmth as traditional heaters. For example, while an electric convection heater might need 1,000 watts to heat a room, an infrared panel can achieve the same comfort level with just 580 watts. This reduced power requirement translates directly to lower electricity bills.

Furthermore, infrared panels are zoned heating solutions, allowing homeowners to control the temperature of each room individually. This means that you can heat occupied rooms without wasting energy on spaces that don’t need heating, further reducing costs and making infrared a budget-friendly option.

Better Heat Retention and Reduced Heat Loss

Another advantage of infrared panels is their effect on heat retention. Because infrared waves warm objects directly, walls, furniture, and other surfaces retain the heat, helping to keep rooms warmer for longer. This is especially beneficial in well-insulated homes, where retained heat means less frequent heating cycles and even lower energy usage.

Additional Benefits of Infrared Heating

In addition to cost savings, infrared heating panels offer several other benefits that make them an attractive choice for modern homes.

Improved Indoor Air Quality

Infrared heating does not circulate air, dust, or allergens, making it an ideal choice for people with allergies or respiratory issues. By avoiding the dry air typically associated with gas and electric convection heating, infrared panels also help maintain a healthier and more comfortable indoor environment.

Aesthetic and Functional Flexibility

Infrared heating panels can be installed on walls or ceilings, saving valuable floor space. Some panels even double as mirrors or decorative wall features, blending seamlessly into the décor while providing warmth. The design flexibility of infrared panels allows homeowners to incorporate heating into their living spaces without compromising on aesthetics.

Easy Installation and Minimal Maintenance

With no moving parts, pipes, or boilers, infrared panels are simple to install and require minimal maintenance. Once installed, they typically have a long lifespan of 20 years or more, providing lasting value with few ongoing costs. This low-maintenance setup is another reason infrared panels are a cost-effective and hassle-free choice for homeowners.

Conclusion: Is Electric Heating Really More Expensive?

In the past, electric heating has been viewed as more expensive than gas or oil. However, advancements in infrared heating technology have made electric heating not only affordable but also highly efficient. When comparing the options, it’s clear that infrared heating panels provide significant benefits:

1. Lower upfront costs: A full infrared heating system for a three-bedroom house can cost between £2,000 and £4,000, compared to the £5,000 to £7,000 for a gas central heating system.
2. Reduced running costs: Infrared panels require up to 42% less wattage than electric convection heaters, thanks to their efficient radiant heating method.
3. Improved efficiency: Unlike gas central heating systems, which heat the entire house with circulating water, infrared panels provide targeted, zoned heating, reducing energy waste.
4. Faster heating: Infrared panels offer immediate warmth, reaching the desired temperature quickly without the prolonged warm-up times seen with gas systems.

In conclusion, infrared heating panels present a cost-effective, energy-efficient solution for UK homeowners. They provide the affordability and low running costs needed to ease the impact of rising energy prices while delivering a comfortable, environmentally friendly heating experience. For anyone looking to reduce their heating costs without compromising on warmth, infrared heating is an ideal choice.