Infrared heating vs gas central heating
Infrared heating vs gas central heating?
Gas is currently the cheaper fuel per kWh, so whole-home gas central heating usually has a lower running cost today than heating every room with infrared. Infrared avoids a boiler, flue and wet system entirely, gives per-room control, and is a genuine option where there's no gas supply or for heating individual rooms rather than the whole house.
Side by side
| Infrared | Gas central heating | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Low per room; no boiler or pipework | Boiler + radiators + pipework install |
| Fuel cost per kWh | Electricity (~24.5p) | Gas (~6.2p) — cheaper today |
| Whole-home running cost | Higher if heating every room | Lower at current gas prices |
| Per-room control | Excellent — heat one room only | Limited — zoned circuits at best |
| Maintenance & safety | No boiler, flue or gas safety checks | Annual boiler service, gas safety |
| Best for | Off-gas-grid, single rooms, extensions | Whole-home heating with a gas supply |
Our honest verdict
With a gas connection and a whole house to heat, gas central heating is usually cheaper to run right now. Infrared makes most sense off the gas grid, for rooms and extensions, or where the disruption and cost of a wet system aren't justified.
Frequently asked questions
Reviewed by the Infrared Heat Solutions technical team · Last updated July 2026 · Data sources: Energy Saving Trust, Ofgem, gov.uk Boiler Upgrade Scheme