Is it cheaper to run a heat pump or an infrared heater?

Author: Dr. Oren Gerhold  |  Last update: Saturday, July 4, 2026

The energy efficiency of heat pumps is generally higher than that of infrared panels, making them more cost-effective in the long run for extensive heating needs.

Do infrared heaters raise your electric bill?

But don't worry, infrared heaters are incredibly efficient. They're designed to keep a space warm while using as little electricity as possible. This makes them much cheaper to run than central heating, space heating, and air source heat pumps.

What is the major disadvantage of a heat pump?

Cons
  • High upfront cost. Heat pumps have a high upfront cost. ...
  • Difficult to install. ...
  • Wider sustainability implications. ...
  • Significant work. ...
  • Carbon neutral. ...
  • Electricity usage will increase.

What is the main disadvantage to infrared?

IR-A radiation with its excessive heat can cause irreversible damage (such as burns) to the retina and cloud the lens, which can lead to a cataract (also known as glassblower's cataract or infrared cataract). IR-B radiation can damage the blood vessels down to the fatty tissue.

Why is infrared heating not popular?

We understand why people look at infrared heating—it sounds energy efficient. But in reality, infrared heaters need to stay on longer to maintain warmth, and because they only heat what they directly touch, they often end up using more energy than expected.

Comparing infrared heating system to the Heatpump

Can I leave the infrared heater on all the time?

To give you the quick answer, the majority of good infrared heating panels are designed with safety and efficiency in mind, allowing them to be left on throughout the day without major safety issues or costing you a small fortune.

Why don't contractors like heat pumps?

Contractors avoid deploying more heat pumps because of money. I'm told they are too expensive to sell, when a furnace is another, cheaper solution. Additionally, the incentives are diverse in their scope and in some cases daunting to navigate for both contractors and customers.

At what temperature is a heat pump useless?

Heat pumps do not operate as efficiently when temperatures drop to between 25 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit for most systems. A heat pump works best when the temperature is above 40. Once outdoor temperatures drop to 40 degrees, heat pumps start losing efficiency, and they consume more energy to do their jobs.

Why do people not like heat pumps?

Heat pumps loose their effectiveness (not to be confused with their efficiency) the colder it gets outside forcing you to either use the electric heat or stay cold. Systems that are designed poorly so the ductwork is too small resulting in a lot of air noise and drafts that is not as warm.

How much does a 700 watt infrared heater cost to run?

Say you have the 700w Ecostrad Accent iQ wall panel and you want to run it for 6 hours a day. Using a DIY calculation, you can work out the approximate running cost for a day's use, taking into account that it might only need to use a third of its full wattage: 0.7kW x 6 hours = 4.2kWh. 4.2kWh x 34p = £1.43.

Is it cheaper to run an infrared heater than the furnace?

Infrared heater energy consumption is much less than other forms of heating systems due to their direct method of transferring heat, as outlined earlier. As a result, you can expect your energy bills to be significantly lower over traditional electric or gas heaters.

Do infrared heaters raise room temperature?

An infrared panel will heat up you directly much faster than it will heat up a room, which will happen much more gradually. If a well-positioned panel with a good radiation angle is turned on, your room or space will feel warm within the 3-10 minute timeframe.

What size room will a 1500 watt infrared heater heat?

As a rule of thumb it will require about 10 watts for every square foot. So the 1500 watt will usually heat up to 150 square feet. Heating question - trying to understand what size heater to ... I am trying to understand in layman terms what this actually ...

What is the cheapest space heater to run?

Conclusion. So, after looking at the different types of electric heaters available, due to its lower power-output, halogen heaters are the cheapest electric heaters to run. Shop our range of Halogen Heaters here .

How many years do infrared heaters last?

Lifespan of infrared panels vs traditional heating

When considering heating options, longevity is a crucial factor. Infrared panels are known for their durability and should last around 20 years, but depending on the quality of the panel, this could be anywhere from 10 to 30 years.

Will a heat pump work in 100 degree weather?

The ideal heat pump effective operating temperature for cooling is 20 degrees lower than the outdoor temperature. To maximize heat pump cooling efficiency in the summer, you should never set your heat pump temperature higher than 80 degrees Fahrenheit, which is sufficient on the hottest days of 100-degree weather.

How cold is too cold for a heat pump?

Most standard heat pumps will function at 100% efficiency until the outside temperature reaches about 40° F. However, when the temperature dips below this, most heat pumps are not able to maintain efficiency. They become much less effective at temperatures between 20° F to 30° F.

Should you turn off your heat pump in extreme cold weather?

Contrary to popular belief, air-source heat pumps work amazingly well in winter—even in very cold climates.

What is the downside to a heat pump?

It's expensive to install a heat pump

They cost considerably more than a gas installation. Nevertheless, grants are available to reduce the purchasing cost, which is not the case with gas installations. However, even with such grants, the heat pump is still at least 20% more expensive.

What is the most expensive part on a heat pump?

Compressors are one of the most expensive parts to repair or replace, with average costs ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 for replacement. However, these heat pump repair costs can vary widely based on the heat pump model, size, and refrigerant type.

What works better than a heat pump?

Gas furnaces are optimal for areas experiencing prolonged cold weather. Electric furnaces are suitable for moderate climates requiring additional heating beyond what heat pumps provide, especially in areas where natural gas or propane are not available.

What are the side effects of infrared heating?

Near IR can be harmful to the eyes because it penetrates as far as the cornea (Voke, 1999). Uncontrolled, frequent, or long-term exposure to Near Infrared can also cause thermal burns and ageing effects such as “Bakers Arms” or “Glassblowers Face” (Cho & others, 2009).

Are ceramic heaters better than infrared heaters?

Quartz infrared heaters offer very fast heat-up and cool down times. Ceramic heaters, however, require more time to heat circulating air and warm up the room via convection. Quartz heaters can be used to create quieter heating equipment as in most cases air movement from noisy convection blowers is not needed.

What is the safest heater to leave unattended?

What is the safest heater to leave on overnight? While it's not recommended to leave any space heater on if you're not monitoring it, oil-filled, radiant space heaters are considered safer than ceramic convection (hot air) types, according to Roberson. Both of these options are safer than open-coil heaters.

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