Infrared Heating vs Heat Pumps

Infrared heating and heat pumps are both low-carbon alternatives to gas central heating, but they work in very different ways. Heat pumps move heat from outside air or the ground into the property, while infrared heating uses electricity to create direct radiant warmth inside each room.

The best choice depends on the property, insulation level, budget, installation complexity, available space and how the building is used.

How Do Heat Pumps Work?

A heat pump extracts heat from the outside air or ground and transfers it into the home. The most common type in UK homes is an air source heat pump.

Instead of creating heat directly, a heat pump moves existing heat. This is why heat pumps can be very efficient when installed correctly.

A typical heat pump system may include:

• An outdoor unit
• A hot water cylinder
• Pipework
• Radiators or underfloor heating
• Controls

How Does Infrared Heating Work?

Infrared heating works differently. It uses electricity to emit long-wave infrared heat, which warms people, floors, walls, furniture and other surfaces directly.

Instead of relying mainly on warm air circulation, infrared heating creates radiant comfort. The warmed surfaces then gently release heat back into the room.

Infrared heating can be installed as:

• Underfloor heating film
• Ceiling heating film
• Infrared panels
• Selected wall-mounted systems

Infrared Heating vs Heat Pumps: Quick Comparison

Installation Cost and Disruption

Installation is one of the biggest differences between infrared heating and heat pumps.

Heat pumps often require outdoor equipment, pipework changes, radiator upgrades, hot water cylinder space and professional system balancing. This can make installation more complex, especially in older properties.

Infrared heating can be easier to install during renovations, new builds, extensions and ceiling or flooring upgrades. It does not require a boiler, flue, radiators or water-filled pipework.

Running Costs

Heat pumps can achieve very high efficiency because they move heat rather than create it directly. A well-installed heat pump may deliver several units of heat for every unit of electricity used.

Infrared heating converts electricity directly into radiant heat. Its advantage comes from zoning, fast comfort, smart control and avoiding unnecessary heating of unused rooms.

In simple terms:

• Heat pumps can be highly efficient for steady whole-home heating.
• Infrared heating can be highly effective where room-by-room control and targeted heating matter.

Which Is Better for Older Homes?

Older homes can be challenging for both systems if insulation is poor.

Heat pumps work best at lower flow temperatures, which means older homes may need larger radiators, underfloor heating or insulation upgrades to perform well.

Infrared heating can be attractive in older homes where installing new pipework would be disruptive, but heat loss still needs to be assessed properly.

For period properties, infrared heating can also help preserve interior design because it can be installed invisibly under floors or in ceilings.

Which Is Better for New Builds?

Both systems can work well in new builds.

Heat pumps are commonly used in new homes because modern insulation levels reduce heat demand.

Infrared heating is also well suited to new builds because it removes radiators, simplifies installation and allows precise room-by-room control.

Which Works Better with Solar Panels?

Both systems use electricity, so both can work with solar PV.

Infrared heating has a simple advantage: solar electricity can directly power the heating elements. With smart thermostats and battery storage, heating schedules can be aligned with solar generation.

Heat pumps can also use solar electricity, but they are usually designed for longer, steadier operation rather than short bursts of room-by-room heating.

Space Requirements

Heat pumps usually need space for an outdoor unit and often a hot water cylinder indoors. This may be difficult in flats, apartments, small homes or properties with limited external space.

Infrared heating does not require outdoor equipment or a cylinder for space heating. This makes it suitable for:

• Flats
• Apartments
• Loft conversions
• Garden rooms
• Extensions
• Commercial units
• Rental properties

Comfort Difference

Heat pumps usually provide gentle, steady warmth through radiators or underfloor heating.

Infrared heating provides direct radiant warmth. Many people describe it as similar to the feeling of sunshine on the skin, without harmful UV radiation.

Because infrared warms surfaces directly, it can reduce cold spots and make rooms feel comfortable without overheating the air.

Maintenance

Heat pumps have compressors, fans, refrigerant circuits, pumps, filters and controls. They should be serviced regularly to maintain performance.

Infrared heating has fewer moving parts and no wet heating circuit. This usually means very low maintenance.

When Infrared Heating May Be the Better Choice

• You want to remove radiators
• You do not have space for an outdoor unit
• You are renovating floors or ceilings
• You want independent room-by-room control
• You have solar panels or plan to install them
• You need a low-maintenance heating system
• You want a simpler alternative to wet central heating
• You are heating flats, extensions, garden rooms or rental spaces

When a Heat Pump May Be the Better Choice

• You want a whole-house wet heating replacement
• Your property has space for an outdoor unit
• Your home is well insulated
• You have suitable radiators or underfloor heating
• You need an integrated hot water solution
• You are eligible for heat pump grants

Can You Combine Infrared Heating and Heat Pumps?

Yes. Some properties use a hybrid approach.

A heat pump may provide background whole-house heating, while infrared heating is used in specific rooms where faster comfort or independent control is needed.

This can work well in:

• Bathrooms
• Home offices
• Loft conversions
• Extensions
• Garden rooms
• Commercial spaces

Frequently Asked Questions

Is infrared heating better than a heat pump?

Not always. Infrared heating is often simpler, lower maintenance and better for targeted room control. Heat pumps can be more efficient for steady whole-house heating when correctly installed.

Is a heat pump cheaper to run than infrared heating?

A well-designed heat pump can be cheaper to run for whole-house heating because it can deliver more heat than the electricity it uses. Infrared heating can be cost-effective where zoning, solar energy and smart controls reduce wasted heating.

Does infrared heating need radiators?

No. Infrared heating can be installed under floors or in ceilings, removing the need for radiators.

Does a heat pump need radiators?

Often yes, unless it is connected to underfloor heating or another suitable heat emitter system.

Which is easier to install?

Infrared heating is usually easier and less disruptive to install, especially during renovations, floor upgrades or ceiling work.

Can infrared heating replace a heat pump?

In some properties, yes. Suitability depends on insulation, heat loss, electrical capacity and room-by-room heating design.

Final Thoughts

Infrared heating and heat pumps both have an important role in the move away from gas heating.

Heat pumps can be highly efficient for well-insulated homes designed around low-temperature heating. Infrared heating offers a simpler, flexible and low-maintenance option with excellent room-by-room control and strong compatibility with solar panels.

The best system is the one designed around the building, not just the technology. Before choosing either option, a proper heat loss calculation and heating design should be completed.

Continue Reading

• Can Infrared Heating Replace Gas Central Heating?
• Is Infrared Heating Cheaper to Run Than Gas?
• Does Infrared Heating Work with Solar Panels?
• Underfloor vs Ceiling Infrared Heating