Infrared Heating: Energy Consumption & Costs
Infrared Heating: Power Consumption and Electricity Costs at a Glance
A soft, cozy warmth, similar to natural sunlight, that conveys a sense of comfort and contentment – that's the essence of infrared heating. It transforms any room into an oasis of coziness. But are infrared heaters energy guzzlers? We're going to debunk this myth and calculate the expected energy costs. You'll see: this is an efficient and future-oriented technology that's very economical. Read on to discover what you need to know about infrared heating and its energy consumption.
PRODUCT COMPARISON:
COMPARISON: GAS - INFRARED HEATING
Apartment complex, 4 rooms, 136 m², built in 1992. Gas heating consumption: 10,260 kWh. Infrared heating consumption: 3,714 kWh.
Costs 2014:
Gas (in euro's) € 820 – Infrared heating € 710
COMPARISON: OIL HEATING - INFRARED HEATING
Single-family home and apartment building, 12 rooms, 225 m², built in 1954. Heating oil consumption: 60,000 kWh. Infrared heating consumption: 16,956 kWh.
Costs 2014:
Oil (in euro's) € 4,840 – Infrared heating € 3,220
COMPARISON: NIGHT STORAGE HEATERS – INFRARED HEATING
Single-family home with 6 rooms, 150 m², built in 1970. Night-time storage heater consumption: 30,104 kWh. Infrared heating consumption: 7,988 kWh.
Costs 2014:
Night accumulator (in euro's) € 4,810 – Infrared heating € 1,520
Are infrared heaters energy guzzlers?
Infrared panels are a modern and efficient solution for heating homes and businesses. They offer several advantages that differentiate them from traditional heating methods. A key advantage is energy efficiency: infrared panels convert almost 100% of the energy consumed directly into heat, resulting in a significant reduction in energy consumption.
Unlike conventional heating systems, which often distribute heat through air circulation, infrared heaters focus directly on objects and people in the room. This allows them to quickly achieve a comfortable warmth without lengthy preheating times. Moreover, infrared panels are low-maintenance and highly durable, resulting in additional long-term cost savings. Their easy installation and ability to use green energy make them an environmentally friendly heating alternative.
In short, infrared panels are a cost-effective, sustainable and convenient heating solution, ideal for a wide range of applications – from homes to office buildings.
Is Infrared Heating Economical?
Infrared panels are generally considered an efficient heating option, especially under certain conditions and when used correctly. Here are some reasons why they can be considered economical:
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Direct heat transfer:
Infrared panels generate heat via infrared rays that directly warm objects and people in the room, instead of the air. This results in more efficient and targeted heat transfer.
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Fast heating:
They heat the room quickly, meaning they don't have to run for long to reach a comfortable temperature. This can reduce energy consumption compared to conventional heating systems.
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No heat loss due to air circulation:
Because the heat is released directly, there is less heat loss compared to systems based on air circulation.
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Thermostat control:
Infrared panels can be equipped with a thermostat. This allows you to optimize energy consumption by activating the infrared panel only when needed.
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No maintenance:
Ohle infrared panels have no moving parts like traditional heating systems. Furthermore, an Ohle infrared panel requires no maintenance (other than occasional dusting). This results in lower to no maintenance costs and a longer lifespan.
The purchase price of infrared heating is also lower than that of conventional heating systems. So you save money right from the start!
Infrared heating: What does power consumption depend on?
An infrared panel's power consumption is determined by several factors, including the device's efficiency and the ambient conditions. Therefore, consider the following points before purchasing an infrared panel and determining its electricity costs:
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Heating wattage:
This value, expressed in watts (W), determines the power and indicates how much energy the heater uses per hour. A higher wattage of an infrared heater generally means more energy consumption, but also provides faster or more intense heat.
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Usage time:
The amount of time the heater is used per day has a significant impact on total energy consumption. Longer operating times result in higher electricity consumption.
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Thermostat control:
Infrared panels should be equipped with a thermostat for each room, which regulates the operating time by switching the infrared panel off once the desired room temperature is reached. This can effectively reduce energy consumption.
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Room insulation:
Good insulation retains heat better, reducing energy consumption for heating. Poorly insulated rooms require more energy to keep them warm.
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Size, layout and furnishings of the room:
Larger or open rooms may require more energy to heat. The arrangement of furniture and other items can also affect how effectively the heat is distributed.
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Ambient temperature:
In colder environments, heating has to work harder to reach and maintain a comfortable temperature, resulting in higher energy consumption.
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Type of use:
Whether the heater is used as a primary or only a supplementary heat source also plays a role. As a supplementary heat source, it generally consumes less energy.
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Energy efficiency of the appliance:
Modern infrared panels are often more energy-efficient thanks to better materials and technology. Older or less efficient models may consume more power.
By taking these factors into account and optimising them, you can effectively control the power consumption of your infrared heating and thus minimise operating costs.
How much does infrared heating cost per month?
The costs depend on several factors. To roughly estimate the monthly costs, you can use the following calculation:
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Determining the power of an infrared heater: Power is measured in watts (W). Typical infrared heaters range in power from 300 to 1000 Watts.
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Average usage time per day: Estimate how many hours per day the heating is on on average.
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Electricity price per kilowatt hour (kWh): This is the amount you pay per kWh.
Calculation:
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Conversion of the heating power in kilowatts (kW): Power in Watts / 1000.
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Calculation of daily energy consumption: power in kW x usage time in hours.
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Calculation of monthly energy consumption: daily energy consumption x number of days in the month (usually 30 or 31 days).
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Calculation of the monthly costs: monthly energy consumption × electricity price per kWh.
For a calculation example, we assume a 600-Watt infrared heater that burns an average of 5 hours per day, with an electricity price of 0.30 euros per kWh:
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Power in kW: 600 W / 1000 = 0.6 kW
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Daily energy consumption: 0.6 kW x 5 hours = 3 kWh
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Monthly energy consumption: 3 kWh x 30 days = 90 kWh
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Monthly costs: 90 kWh x 0.30 euro/kWh = 27 euros
Keep in mind that the required heating requirements and the resulting costs depend heavily on the year your home was built and how well it's insulated. Older buildings built before 1980 often require 60 to 100 watts per square meter. A new passive house, on the other hand, only needs 10 to 15 watts per square meter.
How much electricity does a 1000 watt infrared heater use?
Are you interested in a 1000-Watt infrared panel and want to calculate its power consumption? It's easy! Just know how long the panel is in use per day.
Power consumption is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), where 1 kilowatt (kW) equals 1000 watts. The formula for calculating the power consumption of an infrared heater is:
Power in kW x usage time in hours = energy consumption in kWh
For a 1000 Watt infrared heater this means:
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Conversion of power to kilowatts: 1000 W = 1 kW
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Assumed usage time per day (e.g. 5 hours): 1 kW x 5 hours
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Energy consumption per day: 1 kW x 5 hours = 5 kWh
This means that if you use a 1000 watt infrared heater for 5 hours per day, you should expect an electricity consumption of 5 kilowatt hours per day.
Comparison: Gas - Infrared Heating
Example 1: Residential complex, 4 rooms, 136 m², built in 1992.
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Gas heating consumption: 10,260 kWh.
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Infrared heating consumption: 3,714 kWh.
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Costs 2014: Gas €820 – Infrared heating €710.
Comparison: Oil Heating - Infrared Heating
Example 2: Single-family home and multi-family home, 12 rooms, 225 m², built in 1954.
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Fuel oil consumption: 60,000 kWh.
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Infrared heating consumption: 16,956 kWh.
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Costs 2014: Oil €4,840 – Infrared heating €3,220.
Comparison: Night Storage Heaters – Infrared Heating
Example 3: Single-family home with 6 rooms, 150 m², built in 1970.
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Night accumulator consumption: 30,104 kWh.
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Infrared heating consumption: 7,988 kWh.
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Costs 2014: Night accumulator €4,810 – Infrared heating €1,520.
Calculation example – Single-family home
Infrared heating: Advice on power consumption and purchase
Purchasing infrared heating is a smart decision for anyone looking for an economical and efficient heating solution. The unique technology of infrared heating not only provides exceptional warmth that mimics the natural heat of the sun, but also impresses with its cost-effectiveness and remarkable energy efficiency. Under the right conditions, infrared heating has low power consumption and outperforms traditional heating systems.