Infrared Heating vs. Gas Central Heating: Which is Right for Your Home?

Gas central heating has long been a popular choice for heating homes. However, more and more homeowners are now switching to infrared heating systems. Their easy installation, energy efficiency and modern aesthetics have a strong appeal.

In this article, we’ll compare gas central heating and infrared heating. We provide a detailed analysis to help you decide which system is best suited for your needs.

Also read:

• Infrared Heating vs. Heat Pumps
• Infrared Heating vs. Underfloor Heating
• Infrared Heating vs. Fan Heaters

Understanding Gas Central Heating

Gas central heating systems rely on a boiler to heat water. This is then circulated through pipes to radiators across the home. Gas central heating heats the air in each room indirectly, creating a uniform ambient temperature.

Advantages

• Affordable Installation: For homes already equipped with a gas infrastructure, installing or upgrading a gas central heating system is usually cost-effective.
• Reliable Performance: Gas heating has consistent heat output, particularly in colder climates.

Disadvantages

• Heat Loss: Gas central heating systems can experience significant heat loss. In fact, up to 50% of heat can dissipate through poorly insulated pipes, windows and through draughts.
• High Maintenance Costs: Boilers need regular servicing to maintain efficiency and safety.
• Environmental Impact: Gas is a fossil fuel, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
• Bulky Infrastructure: Gas heating requires radiators, pipes, and a boiler. These can take up valuable space and limit design flexibility within the home.

Exploring Infrared Heating

Infrared heating systems use panels that emit infrared radiation. It warms objects and people directly rather than the surrounding air. As objects heat up, they radiate heat into the air. This targeted approach creates a comfortable environment quicker and more efficiently.

Advantages

• Energy-Efficient: Infrared heaters convert almost all electricity into heat, minimising energy loss.
• Modern Design: These systems come in sleek, wall-mounted and ceiling mounted panels. They save space and blend seamlessly into all types of interiors.
• Health Benefits: Infrared heaters do not circulate air, reducing the movement of dust and allergens. This can be beneficial for individuals with respiratory issues or allergies.
• Zoned Heating: Infrared heating allows for zoned heating, which enables you to only heat the areas you’re using. This can lead to significant cost savings.

Disadvantages

• Initial Learning Curve: If you’re unfamiliar with infrared heating, it might take time to adapt to its localised heating approach.
• Separate Water Heater Required: Infrared heaters only provide space heating. If you rely solely on infrared for heating, you’ll need a separate water heating system.

Key Differences: Gas Central Heating vs. Infrared Heating

Choosing the right heating system involves understanding their core differences. This section provides a side-by-side comparison of gas central heating and infrared heating. This should help you evaluate which option aligns better with your needs and priorities.

Energy Efficiency

Gas heating can lose energy through heat dissipation, through draughts and poor insulation.

Infrared heaters deliver direct heat with minimal waste. However, the cost of electricity vs gas can influence operational efficiency.

Heating Performance

Gas systems warm the air, not objects. This provides slow but uniform heating for entire homes. However, you must use the entire system, even if you only want to heat a single room, making them suitable for colder climates.

Infrared heaters, by contrast, offer instant heat, exactly where you need it.

Installation and Maintenance Costs

Gas systems often need extensive plumbing and regular boiler servicing.

Infrared heating has zero maintenance needs as it doesn’t have any moving parts. However, if you want to install your whole house, it could be expensive. Infrared panels are also often DIY-friendly. This allows for flexible placement such as wall or ceiling mounting.

Environmental Impact

Gas heating relies on fossil fuels, contributing to higher carbon emissions.

Infrared systems, especially when powered by renewable electricity, are a greener choice.

Aesthetics and Space

Gas systems rely on bulky radiators that can limit room design flexibility.

Infrared panels are sleek and discreet. You can mount them on the wall or on the ceiling, freeing up floor space.

Cost Analysis: Short- and Long-Term Perspectives

Evaluating the costs of heating systems involves more than just upfront expenses. This section explores both the short-term and long-term financial implications of gas central heating and infrared heating. We’ve included installation, running costs, maintenance, and impact on property value.

Upfront Installation Costs

Gas systems are cheaper to install if your home already has the infrastructure.

Infrared systems often need a higher initial investment for panels if you want to heat your whole house. You might also need an electrician to install them for you. That said, you don’t have to pay to have your whole house installed. You can start with you most important rooms and work your way to other rooms.

Running Costs

Gas is typically cheaper than electric.

However, because infrared heaters are so efficient, they need much less power to heat a property.

For example, let’s say you;

1. Have a room that’s 5 metres long, 5 metres wide, and 2.4 metres high.
2. Want to heat it for 6 hours a day, and
3. Pay £0.26 per kW for your electricity (the UK national average).

If you use our infrared heating calculator, you’ll see we recommend using two 900-watt heaters.

Here’s the calculation for infrared heating:

• 1.8kW (Heater Output) x 6 (Hours in Use) = 10.8kW hour
• 10.8kWh x £0.26 (Cost Per kW Hour) = £2.80 per day

Compare this to gas central heating. A typical boiler uses 24kW per hour and the average price of gas is £0.08 per kW per hour.

Here’s the calculation for gas central heating:

• 24kW (Boiler Output) x 6 (Hours in Use) = 144kW hour
• 144kWh x £0.08 (Cost Per kW Hour) = £11.52 per day 

Maintenance Costs

Gas boilers need annual servicing to maintain efficiency and safety.

Infrared heaters on the other hand have no moving parts. There they have zero maintenance requirements.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice

Infrared heating is a compelling modern alternative to gas central heating.

You don’t have to install a full house; you can go room by room, so installation costs don’t have to be so high.

Infrared heating systems are highly energy efficient. They provide direct warmth to objects and people with very little heat loss. This means you’ll spend less on heating bills and because they don’t have moving parts, you’ll also save on maintenance costs.

It’s also environmentally friendly, especially when powered by renewable electricity. So if you’re looking for a green choice, it’s worth serious consideration.

Plus, their sleek, space-saving designs mean they blend into any environment.

Ultimately, the choice depends on you and personal priorities.

Speak to our heating professionals. We can help you make the best decision for your specific needs.

Gas Central Heating vs Infrared Heating: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the pros and cons of infrared heating vs gas central heating?

Pros of Infrared Heating:

• Highly energy-efficient with minimal heat loss.
• Modern, sleek designs that save space.
• Provides instant heat and allows for zoned heating.
• Requires minimal maintenance.
• Beneficial for allergy sufferers as it doesn’t circulate dust or allergens.

Cons of Infrared Heating:

• Initial learning curve if you have never used infrared heating before.
• You’ll need to put them in the right place to get the most efficiency from them.
• If you rely solely on infrared heating, you’ll need a separate way of heating your water.

Pros of Gas Central Heating:

• Reliable and consistent heat output, especially in colder climates.
• More cost-effective installation in homes with existing gas infrastructure.

Cons of Gas Central Heating:

• Significant heat loss through pipes, radiators, and draughts.
• High maintenance requirements for boilers.
• Environmental impact due to reliance on fossil fuels.

Is infrared heating cheaper to run than gas central heating?

Infrared heating can be cheaper to run because it;

1. Converts almost 100% of its energy into heat, and
2. Delivers heat directly to objects and people with minimal energy waste.

Which heating system is better for the environment: gas or infrared?

Infrared heating is better for the environment. Especially when powered by renewable electricity, as it produces no direct carbon emissions. Gas central heating relies on fossil fuels, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.

Can infrared heating replace a gas central heating system?

Yes, but you’ll need a separate water heater.

How does infrared heating compare to gas heating in terms of energy efficiency?

Infrared heating is more energy efficient as it directly heats objects and people. This reduces energy loss and so, costs. Gas heating loses energy through heat dissipation in pipes and radiators as well as through poor insulation.

Are infrared heaters safe for home use?

Yes, infrared heaters are safe for home use. They operate silently, do not emit harmful gases, and are designed with safety features like overheating protection.

What is the lifespan of infrared heaters compared to gas boilers?

Infrared heaters typically last 20-30 years with minimal maintenance.

Gas boilers may need replacing every 10-15 years and need regular servicing.