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How much does it cost to run an infrared panel heater?
An infrared panel heater costs about 11p an hour to run.
Work out your cost
Find the wattage on the label or rating plate, usually on the back or underneath.
Low, typical and high running costs
Using 5 hours a day.
| Rating | Unit cost | Per week | Per winter (Oct to Mar) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 300W | 6p / hour | £1.93 | £50.30 |
| Typical | 600W | 11p / hour | £3.87 | £100.60 |
| High | 1,200W | 22p / hour | £7.74 | £201.19 |
How it compares
| Appliance | Typical use | Per day | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage heater | 7 hours a day | £2.14 | £65.15 |
| Oil-filled radiator | 4 hours a day | £1.47 | £44.83 |
| Fan heater | 3 hours a day | £1.26 | £38.43 |
| Convector heater | 4 hours a day | £1.18 | £36.03 |
| Halogen heater | 3 hours a day | 95p | £28.82 |
| Infrared panel heater | 5 hours a day | 55p | £16.81 |
| Electric towel rail | 4 hours a day | 47p | £14.41 |
How we work it out
Cost per hour = watts ÷ 1,000 × share of time at full power × price per kWh. For a 600W infrared panel heater at 70%: 600 ÷ 1,000 × 0.7 × 26.32p = 11p. A thermostat switches the element on and off, so it doesn't draw full power the whole time. The 70% figure is our assumption. It depends on the room, the weather and the thermostat setting, so change it in the calculator if you know better.
The wattage range on this page is our estimate from typical models on sale, as we couldn't find an independent published figure. Other figures come from the sources below. Your own appliance may differ, so check its rating plate or energy label for the most accurate figure.
Sources
- Ofgem: changes to the energy price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026
- Selectra: electric heater cost per hour
Questions
How much electricity does an infrared panel heater use?
Most use between 300W and 1,200W. A 600W model running at full power uses 0.6 kWh an hour.
How much does an infrared panel heater cost to run per day?
Used for 5 hours a day it costs about 55p, based on the Ofgem price cap rate of 26.32p per kWh.
Where does the electricity price come from?
We use the Ofgem price cap average for Great Britain, paying by Direct Debit: 26.32p per kWh for 1 Oct 2026 to 31 Dec 2026. Electricity rate includes 0% VAT, which applies from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027. Storage heater and EV pages use an off-peak rate instead. Your own tariff may be higher or lower, so check your bill and enter your rate in the calculator.