COST GUIDES
How much does infrared heating cost in 2026?
Updated 07/26
Fast Facts
Infrared panel installation: Around £400 on average to supply and install one panel
Running costs: Depend on your heater wattage, usage and electricity tariff
Infrared underfloor heating: Typically costs around £80/m² to supply and install
If you're considering infrared heating for your home, you'll probably have two questions: how much does it cost to install and how much does it cost to run?
The answer depends on the type of infrared heating you choose, the size of your property and how often you use it.
This guide explains typical installation costs for infrared heating, how to calculate running costs and what affects the overall price.
How much does infrared heating cost to install?
The table below shows typical costs for installing infrared panel heaters and infrared underfloor heating.
| Item | Low | High | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infrared panel heater (supply only) | £100 | £500 | £300 |
| Electrician to install one infrared panel | £50 | £150 | £100 |
| Infrared panel heater (supply and installation) | £150 | £650 | £400 |
| Infrared underfloor heating (supply and installation, per m²) | £75 | £90 | £80 |
| Last updated: July 2026 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | |||
Most homeowners pay around £400 to supply and install a standard infrared panel heater.
Straightforward installations where suitable wiring is already in place will usually cost less, while more complex jobs can cost more.
For example, if the installation requires additional electrical work such as a new dedicated circuit, fused spur, extra cabling or consumer unit upgrades, you'll need to budget for the extra work as well as the heater itself.
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Whether you're installing a single infrared panel or planning to heat multiple rooms, comparing quotes from a selection of checked electricians is the easiest way to understand your project costs.
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How much does it cost to run infrared heating?
The table below uses an example calculation to show the running costs of a typical 500W infrared panel heater.
Because electricity prices change over time, your actual costs will depend on your tariff and the current Ofgem price cap, which is reviewed every three months in the UK.
| Example running cost | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Cost of running a 500W infrared heater per hour | 13p |
| Cost of running a 500W infrared heater per year (2 hours a day) | £95 |
| Last updated: July 2026 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | |
Even if electricity prices change, infrared heating can still be an economical option when used to heat individual rooms or occupied areas rather than an entire property.
How to calculate infrared heating running costs
If you'd like to estimate the running cost of your own infrared heater, use this simple formula:
Heater wattage ÷ 1,000 × hours used × your electricity unit rate
For example, using the current average UK electricity unit rate of 26.11p per kWh (July 2026):
500W ÷ 1,000 × 26.11p = around 13p per hour
If you use the heater for around two hours a day, that works out at approximately £95 per year.
If your electricity tariff is lower or higher than the average, simply substitute your own unit rate into the calculation.
Are infrared heaters economical to run?
Infrared heaters can be an economical way to heat individual rooms or occupied areas of your home.
Unlike traditional radiators, infrared heaters warm people and surfaces directly rather than heating the air first. This means they can provide a comfortable feeling of warmth without needing to run continuously.
However, electricity is considerably more expensive per kWh than mains gas. For that reason, infrared heating is generally best suited to targeted heating rather than replacing an efficient gas central heating system throughout an entire home.
Infrared heating can work particularly well for:
Heating a single room instead of the whole house
Homes without a mains gas connection
Home offices, garden rooms and occasional-use spaces
Supplementing an existing central heating system
What affects the cost of infrared heating?
Several factors will influence both the installation cost and ongoing running costs of infrared heating, including:
Number of heaters: Installing multiple infrared panels naturally increases both the installation cost and the amount of electricity used
Panel wattage: Higher-wattage panels generally cost more to buy and use more electricity, but they're designed to heat larger spaces
Installation complexity: If additional electrical work is needed, such as a dedicated circuit, fused spur or consumer unit upgrade, installation costs will increase
Type of system: Infrared underfloor heating is usually cheaper to install than wet underfloor heating because it doesn't require pipework or a manifold. However, as it runs on electricity, ongoing running costs may be higher than a gas-fired wet system
Location: Electrician labour rates are generally higher in London and the South East
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How much does infrared underfloor heating cost?
Infrared underfloor heating typically costs around £80/m² to supply and install.
As a comparison:
| Underfloor heating system | Typical installed cost |
|---|---|
| Infrared underfloor heating | £80/m² |
| Electric underfloor heating (in renovation) | £60–£85/m² |
| Electric underfloor heating (in new build) | £50–£75/m² |
| Wet underfloor heating (in new build) | £85–£100/m² |
| Wet underfloor heating (in renovation) | £95–£110/m² |
| Last updated: July 2026 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | |
One of the main advantages of infrared underfloor heating is its slim installation profile, making it well suited to renovation projects where increasing floor height isn't practical.
Installing infrared underfloor heating involves fixed electrical work and must comply with building regulations. The final electrical connections and testing should be carried out by a qualified electrician.
To compare all underfloor heating systems in more detail, see our underfloor heating cost guide.
Infrared heating cost calculator
The quickest way to estimate your project cost is to think about two separate elements: the cost of installing your infrared heating system and the cost of running it over time.
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Infrared heating cost checklist
Before requesting quotes:
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Infrared heating should be correctly sized for each room and safely connected to your home's electrical system.
When requesting quotes, it helps to include:
The number of panels you're considering
Whether you're installing wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted or underfloor heating
Whether the property already has suitable electrical circuits
Any planned renovation work taking place at the same time
Comparing quotes from a selection of checked electricians working in your area is the easiest way to understand what's included and choose the right installer.
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FAQs
Most homeowners pay around £400 to supply and install a standard infrared panel heater. Smaller or simpler installations can cost less, while larger panels or installations requiring additional electrical work will increase the overall price.
This depends on the wattage of the heater and how long you use it for. For example, a typical 500W infrared panel costs around 13p per hour to run using the average UK electricity unit rate (July 2026). Multiply the heater's wattage by the number of hours you use it and your electricity tariff to estimate your own running costs.
Not usually. Electricity costs considerably more per kWh than mains gas, so replacing a gas central heating system with infrared heating throughout your home is likely to increase your running costs. However, infrared heating can be an economical option for heating individual rooms, home offices or occasional-use spaces without warming the entire house. If you're considering a full switch away from gas, an air source heat pump may offer better long-term economics.
It can be, particularly in well-insulated homes or properties without a mains gas connection. However, because electricity is generally more expensive than gas, many homeowners use infrared heating to supplement an existing heating system or heat individual rooms rather than relying on it throughout the whole property. The best option will depend on your home's insulation, layout and how you use each room.
Infrared underfloor heating typically costs around £80 per m² to supply and install. It's often quicker and simpler to install than a wet underfloor heating system because it has a much thinner profile and doesn't require water-filled pipes.
A quality infrared panel heater can last 20 years or more with very little maintenance. Unlike traditional heating systems, there are no moving parts, pumps or boilers to service, which can help keep maintenance costs low.
Pros: low maintenance with no moving parts, instant warmth, zone-controlled heating, and no heat lost to draughts. Cons: higher running cost than gas per kWh, less effective for whole-house heating, and panels need a clear line of sight to where people are sitting to work at their best.
Standard panel heaters use far-infrared radiation, which is the same gentle warmth you feel from the sun and is safe for everyday use. Near-infrared heaters, used in industrial settings, operate at much higher intensities and are a different product category. Keep panels clear of flammable materials and follow the manufacturer's clearance guidance.
Considering other types of electric heating? Take a look at our cost guides for electric radiators, storage heating costs and electric wall heater installation costs.
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