Electric vs. gas infrared heaters – comparison of costs and use
Electric vs. gas infrared heaters – a comprehensive comparison of costs, performance and use
When deciding between an electric and a gas infrared heater, looking at the price tag alone isn't enough. A decision that seems simple at first glance actually involves dozens of variables – from the installation location and energy availability to safety requirements and long-term operating costs. Over years of experience in heating technology, I've seen cases where a customer bought a gas infrared heater for a space without a gas supply, as well as situations where an electric infrared heater in an unheated hall consumed more energy than the rest of the operation combined. This article will help you avoid such mistakes and make a truly informed decision.
How infrared heaters work – the basis for comparison
Before we get into the comparison, it's important to understand the basic operating principle of both types. An infrared heater doesn't heat the air like a classic radiator or a hot-air fan – it emits electromagnetic radiation in the infrared spectrum, which directly heats objects and people within its range. This bypasses the problem of losses caused by air movement, which is a huge advantage for outdoor applications or spaces with high ceilings.
An electric infrared heater converts electrical energy directly into thermal radiation using a resistance wire, a silicon rod, or a carbon fiber. A gas infrared heater burns natural gas or propane-butane in a combustion chamber, and the heat produced warms ceramic or steel emission surfaces, which then emit infrared radiation. Both principles lead to the same result – thermal comfort – but the path to it differs, and this is precisely what determines suitability for a particular application.
Electric infrared heaters – strengths and limitations
Electric infrared heaters are clearly simpler to install. All you need is an electrical outlet (or a fixed connection for more powerful models) – no gas piping, no flue gases, no mandatory ventilation. This makes them an ideal choice for spaces without an available gas connection – which, in the case of terraces, gazebos, balconies, small garages, or renovated spaces, is a much more common situation than you might expect.
From a technical standpoint, electric infrared heaters achieve a conversion efficiency of electrical energy into infrared radiation of 95 to 99%. Practically all the energy is converted into heat – there are no losses through combustion, flue gas removal, or by-products. It's a physical disadvantage that electricity itself is more expensive than gas, but this handicap is partially offset by the high efficiency and the ability to precisely control output using a thermostat or timer.
Electric infrared heaters are also quieter – there's no burner noise or crackling of a combustion chamber. For restaurant terraces, wellness facilities, or outdoor lounging areas, this is a significant comfort factor. Short-wave models (halogen or carbon) also produce visible red light, which some customers find distracting while others see it as a pleasant effect. Medium-wave and dark heater models don't produce visible light, only heat – you can read more about these types in the article Short-wave vs. medium-wave vs. dark infrared heaters – which type is right for you.
Power ranges of electric infrared heaters
Electric infrared heaters for common use range from 300 W to 6,000 W. Smaller models around 1,000–2,000 W are suitable for terraces and balconies, medium ones (2,000–4,000 W) cover a larger outdoor area or a small workshop, and powerful industrial models (4,000–6,000 W and more) are designed for halls and warehouses. Important: models above 3,000–3,500 W usually require a fixed connection to the electrical grid rather than a standard outlet – a practical detail that customers often underestimate when purchasing.
Gas infrared heaters – strengths and limitations
Gas infrared heaters have one major advantage: the price of natural gas or propane-butane in Slovakia has long been lower than the price of electricity when converted to the same energy in kilowatt-hours. This difference is typically in a ratio of 1:2 to 1:3, depending on current tariffs and the type of gas, which makes gas infrared heaters a more economical choice for intensive use.
Gas infrared heaters are also capable of producing significantly higher output per unit – common industrial gas infrared heaters reach 10,000 to 100,000 W (10 to 100 kW), which would require enormous demands on electrical wiring if done electrically. For large warehouses, production halls, agricultural buildings, or sports facilities, the gas solution is practically unbeatable in terms of output.
On the other hand, every gas infrared heater produces flue gases during combustion – carbon dioxide, water vapor, and, in the case of incomplete combustion, carbon monoxide. This automatically requires adequate ventilation of the space. In enclosed spaces without ventilation, operating a gas infrared heater is dangerous, and for larger installations it is directly prohibited without a flue gas extraction system. This is the most common reason customers switch from a gas to an electric solution after consulting an expert – the space simply isn't suitable.
Types of gas infrared heaters by design
Gas infrared heaters are divided into bright (luminous) and dark (tube) types. Bright gas infrared heaters have a ceramic or metal emission panel that glows orange to white – they reach very high surface temperatures (800–900 °C) and produce intense short-wave radiation. Dark gas heaters have a long tube that heats up to 250–450 °C, operate in the long-wave spectrum, and are more suitable for heating large spaces with long-term operation – for example, production halls where employees spend entire shifts. We discuss the differences in wavelengths in more detail in the article Short-wave vs. medium-wave vs. dark infrared heaters – which type is right for you.
Comparison of operating costs – real-world figures
This is the topic that interests customers most, and also the one where there's the most room for misunderstanding. Let's compare using a specific example of a common situation: an operator of a production hall needs to heat a work zone with a total required output of 20 kW, operating 8 hours a day, 22 working days a month.
Electric infrared heater (20 kW output):
Monthly consumption: 20 kW × 8 hrs × 22 days = 3,520 kWh
Average electricity price (industrial): approx. €0.18–0.24/kWh
Monthly costs: €634 – 845
Gas infrared heater (20 kW output, natural gas):
Monthly consumption (at 88% efficiency): 20 kW ÷ 0.88 × 8 hrs × 22 days = 4,000 kWh of combustion heat
Natural gas price (industrial): approx. €0.065–0.085/kWh
Monthly costs: €260 – 340
In this example, the difference is therefore €370 to €500 per month in favor of gas. Over a heating season (November–March, approx. 5 months), this represents savings of €1,850 – 2,500. A gas infrared heater in this category costs €800–1,500 more to install (including gas installation work), so the payback period is 1–2 seasons. This is a very solid figure, which is why gas is almost always chosen for large industrial applications.
However, the situation changes with lower output and shorter-term use. When a customer wants to heat a restaurant terrace for 3–4 hours in the evening, installing a gas line and the required safety measures simply isn't worth it in this context. An electric infrared heater with an output of 2,000 W and consumption of 0.5–0.7 kWh per hour (with thermostat control) costs less than €0.17 per hour of operation – at four hours a day, that's less than €0.70 a day, which is a negligible amount.
Hidden costs that often get left out of the calculation
Pure energy costs are only part of the picture. Total costs also include:
- Installation costs: Electric infrared heater – standard electrical installation, usually €50–200. Gas infrared heater – gas installer, inspections, possible gas piping, €500–3,000 or more depending on the distance from the connection point.
- Inspections and servicing: Gas appliances are subject to mandatory regular inspections (typically once a year), costing €80–200 per inspection. Electric infrared heaters don't require inspections to this extent.
- Lifespan: Electric infrared heaters with carbon or quartz elements have a lifespan of 5,000–10,000 hours, while dark (halogen) tubes last even longer. Gas infrared heaters, with proper maintenance, last 15–25 years but require regular replacement of burners and ceramic panels.
- Safety infrastructure: For gas infrared heaters in enclosed spaces, a gas and CO detector is required, possibly along with an emergency shutdown system. Electric appliances don't have this cost.
- Insurance: Some insurers categorize gas-heated spaces differently than electrically heated ones – consult your insurance provider.
Where each type is best suited – real-world scenarios
Restaurant or café terrace
This is scenario number one, where the electric infrared heater wins almost every time. A terrace is an open space, customers come and go irregularly, and operation lasts 4–6 hours in the evening. A gas appliance would bring unnecessarily complicated installation, the need for a gas line or heavy propane pressure cylinders, and with short operating intervals it would never pay off economically. An electric infrared heater with an output of 2,000–3,000 W mounted on the ceiling or wall heats the space instantly, exactly where the guest is sitting. You can read more about choosing the right output and placement in the article How to choose an infrared heater – type, output and placement according to the space or in the topic Infrared heaters for terraces and gardens – how to heat outdoors efficiently and safely.
Production hall or warehouse (area 500–2,000 m²)
Here the situation is the opposite. For such areas and tall spaces (roof height 6–12 m), an output of 50–200 kW is required. Achieving this with electric infrared heaters would mean an enormous load on the electrical grid, the need to reinforce the connection, and high monthly energy costs. Dark gas infrared heaters mounted along the hall at a height of 4–8 m are the standard here. They're typically implemented as systems, where each infrared heater covers a specific work zone. A hall operator with 80 employees working two shifts can save tens of thousands of euros annually compared to an electric solution.
Garage for one or two cars
Here it depends on the situation. If it's a garage attached to a house with a gas connection, a gas infrared heater can be economically advantageous for daily pre-heating of the garage in the morning. If it's a detached garage or a garage in an apartment building, an electric infrared heater is a simpler and safer solution – usually an output of 1,500–3,000 W is sufficient. We write about calculating the correct output in a separate article What infrared heater output do I need for a garage, terrace, or workshop.
Workshop, auto repair shop, blacksmith shop, or machining workshop
In workshops, the key factor is the ability to heat up quickly and target precisely – we're not heating the entire volume of air, but a specific work zone near a machine or workbench. Electric infrared heaters have the advantage here of instant startup with no warm-up time, precise thermostatic control, and simple installation. For a workshop up to 100 m² with a ceiling height of 3–4 m, 2–4 electric infrared heaters with a total output of 6–12 kW are usually sufficient. For larger workshops (200 m² and above) with daily 8-hour operation, gas starts to become economically worthwhile.
Construction sites, tents, temporary spaces
Temporary or portable solutions are exclusively the domain of electric infrared heaters, or portable gas (propane) appliances. Both types have their place in this category – it depends on the availability of an electrical connection and the amount of energy you need. Propane infrared heaters (with an 11 kg or 33 kg cylinder) are popular in situations where there's no electrical grid, but they require regular gas refilling and careful attention to ventilation.
Safety aspects – electric infrared heaters
Electric infrared heaters are relatively undemanding in terms of safety requirements. The main rules you must follow:
- Maintaining minimum distances from flammable materials – usually 50–100 cm from the ceiling/wall (depending on the model), 80–150 cm from the floor and people (for ceiling installation), and generally at least 100 cm from flammable objects in the direction of radiation.
- Correct IP rating – for outdoor use, at least IP44, ideally IP65. Don't buy indoor models for outdoor use – moisture and rain can cause a short circuit and fire.
- Solid mounting – the infrared heater must be securely anchored to prevent it from falling. For higher outputs (above 2 kW), we recommend a fixed electrical connection instead of a plug, to prevent contacts from overheating.
- Never cover a heater while it's switched on, and leave enough space around it.
We discuss installation and safety topics in detail in the articles Mounting an infrared heater on the ceiling or wall – procedure and safety requirements and Outdoor vs. indoor infrared heaters – what are the differences and what to consider.
Safety aspects – gas infrared heaters
With gas infrared heaters, the safety agenda is significantly more extensive, and failure to comply can have fatal consequences. The most important principles:
- Ventilation is essential: A gas infrared heater consumes oxygen and produces CO₂ and CO. In an enclosed space without air exchange, carbon monoxide poisoning can occur, which is invisible, odorless, and deadly. The minimum air exchange is usually 20–40 m³/hour per 1 kW of output – consult with your supplier and gas installer.
- CO detector: For every installation of a gas infrared heater in a partially or fully enclosed space, a carbon monoxide detector is mandatory – not just recommended.
- Gas installation and inspections: Gas appliances may only be installed by an authorized person (a gas installer with appropriate certification). Every gas appliance must be inspected according to applicable legislation (STN standards).
- Gas supply and pressure regulation: Every gas infrared heater model is designed for a specific working pressure and type of gas. Using the wrong pressure or a different type of gas (e.g., propane instead of natural gas without conversion) can lead to dangerous situations.
- Automatic flame failure device and ionization flame control: Quality gas infrared heaters have ionization flame control (flame safeguard), which automatically shuts off the gas supply if the flame goes out. Always check whether your model has this feature.
The ecological side of things – what to expect in the near future
In the context of Europe's energy transformation, it's important to think about the future too. Gas appliances face gradually tightening emission standards, and it's only a matter of a few years before we see regulatory restrictions on new gas system installations in both buildings and industry. The European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and gradual decarbonization are factors to consider when planning a major investment (such as a system of gas infrared heaters for a hall).
Electric infrared heaters have a potential advantage here – if the electricity comes from solar panels or other renewable sources, the carbon footprint is practically zero. We see real cases today where operations with rooftop photovoltaics use surplus solar electricity to power electric infrared heaters in the spring and autumn months, effectively reducing operating costs to a minimum.
Regulation, thermostats, and smart control
Electric infrared heaters are easier to integrate into smart control systems. Most modern models support an external thermostat, WiFi control, or integration with smart home systems (Zigbee, Z-Wave, Home Assistant). Setting different temperature zones, time schedules, and adaptive control based on presence sensors are common features that, in practice, bring additional savings of 20–40% compared to uncontrolled operation.
Gas infrared heaters can also be regulated by a thermostat, but output control here is less granular – most gas infrared heaters operate in an on/off mode, or have several fixed power levels. Modulating burners with continuous output control are only available in more expensive industrial models.
Common mistakes in selection and installation
From experience, I know of recurring mistakes customers make when choosing between electric and gas infrared heaters:
- Buying a gas infrared heater without a gas supply: A customer buys a gas infrared heater because it's more powerful and cheaper to operate – and then finds out the building has no gas connection, and installing one costs more than they would save over the entire lifespan of the appliance.
- Underestimating the output needed outdoors: Outdoors, wind, rain, and low temperatures come into play – the required output is significantly higher than for an equally sized indoor space. Underestimating the output leads to dissatisfaction and wasted energy.
- Installing an indoor appliance outside: Models without IP protection mounted outdoors are a guarantee of malfunction and danger. Always check the IP rating and whether the manufacturer approves use in outdoor environments.
- Neglecting ventilation for a gas appliance: This is the most serious mistake from a safety standpoint. Don't place a gas infrared heater in a garage, warehouse, or workshop without consulting an expert about ventilation.
- Ignoring total costs: Customers often compare only the product price, not the total costs of installation, inspections, energy, and lifespan. A correct calculation must include all these items over a minimum 5-year period.
To avoid selection mistakes as well as issues during normal operation, we also recommend reading the topics Common infrared heater faults – why it doesn't heat, flickers, or shuts off and Maintenance and cleaning of infrared heaters – how to extend lifespan and maintain efficiency.
Electric infrared heater as a backup or supplement to the main heating system
A very practical and underrated application of electric infrared heaters is their use as supplementary or backup heating. In spaces with primary central heating (boiler, heat pump), electric infrared heaters can effectively provide additional heat to specific spots – a work corner in a workshop, an area near a checkout, or a room used only occasionally. It's significantly more efficient to turn on one infrared heater for 30 minutes before entering a cold room than to heat an entire house or hall at full power for several hours in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is an electric infrared heater always more expensive to operate than a gas one?
Not always. At low outputs (up to 3–4 kW) and short daily operation (1–3 hours), the difference in energy costs can be minimal, while installing a gas appliance is significantly more expensive. An electric infrared heater becomes economically disadvantageous only at outputs above 10 kW and intensive daily use (6–8 hours or more). For most residential and retail applications, the electric solution is overall more advantageous when you factor in installation, inspections, and ease of operation.
Can I use a gas infrared heater in a garage?
It depends on the garage. In a well-ventilated garage with windows and natural air exchange, it's possible, but you must always install a CO detector and maintain the minimum air exchange rate specified by the manufacturer. In enclosed underground garages or garages without windows, do not install a gas infrared heater – the risk of CO poisoning is too high. An electric infrared heater has no such restrictions in a garage (apart from standard safety distances).
What is the difference in the prices of the appliances themselves?
Electric infrared heaters for common use (1,000–3,000 W) are available from approx. €60–300, while more powerful industrial models (4,000–6,000 W) range from €200–600. Industrial gas infrared heaters (10–50 kW) usually cost €300–1,500 for the appliance alone, but you also need to add the cost of gas installation, regulators, detectors, and possibly flue gas removal, which multiplies the total price. Comparing just the catalog prices of the appliances therefore leads to distorted conclusions.
Is an electric infrared heater suitable for outdoor use in winter?
Yes, electric infrared heaters work outdoors regardless of the ambient temperature – they radiate directly onto people and objects rather than heating the air. It's important to choose a model with adequate IP rating (min. IP44, IP65 recommended for permanent outdoor placement) and to verify it's approved for outdoor use. In strong wind or rain, efficiency is slightly lower because wind-cooled surfaces release heat to the surroundings faster, but it's still substantially more efficient than any hot-air system in
Do you have a question about this topic?
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