Are infrared heaters cheap to run?

As temperatures begin to drop, businesses are faced with the challenge of keeping their commercial spaces warm and comfortable while also maintaining cost-efficiency.

One of the most commonly asked questions we get asked at Tansun is: 

Are infrared heaters cheap to run?

It’s understandable. With the ongoing fluctuations in energy prices, businesses are grappling with the task of effectively managing their heating expenses. This has led to a surge in the number of enquiries we receive about the cost-effectiveness or affordability of infrared heaters. Across the industries we serve, for large volume warehouses, logistics, and storage facilities the concern over soaring energy bills is a significant one - particularly for buildings that operate gas-fired systems which heat the entire volume of space. Within the hospitality sector, droves of businesses are considering closure over high energy prices and inflation costs. Additionally, many businesses have been hesitant to explore alternative options, such as heat pumps or underfloor heating, due to the high associated installation costs which you can read more about in our detailed article here. Recognised as a low carbon solution that can help bridge the gap between environmental sustainability and affordability, infrared heating is becoming an important part of the ‘alternatives’ discussion for businesses on the road to net zero. However, cost is equally a significant share of the conversation.

In this article, we’ll shed some light on the economic benefits of infrared heating and why it should be considered as a cost-effective solution to combat rising energy expenses without compromising on comfort and efficiency.

What Makes Infrared Heaters Less Expensive? The Problem with Heating the Whole Volume of Space

Traditional heating systems, such as gas central heating; often heat the whole volume of a commercial space, regardless of how much of the building is in operation at various times throughout the day. This leads to a significant waste of energy, resulting in unnecessary costs for businesses. In addition, when commercial boilers don’t work as they should, serious faults can be detrimental to the day to day running of the business, resulting in profit loss. Some of these issues include maintenance challenges linked to ductwork and vents which can result in the uneven distribution of heat. As a result, some areas in the space can be uncomfortably warm whilst others remain chilly, leading to employee discomfort, decreased productivity and reduced operational efficiency.

Infrared Heating: The Game Changer for Cheaper Heating Solutions

Infrared heating, also offered by Tansun as a UK manufacturer, is gaining momentum as an efficient and cost-effective alternative. Unlike conventional heating which warms the air, infrared heating directly targets objects and individuals in its path. This means with the appropriate directional positioning and placement using bracketry, a design scheme and occupancy information, infrared heating coverage can be optimised to deliver efficient and uniform heating within a desired area as part of a total heating solution. In turn, though all occupied areas can be targeted - no energy will be wasted heating unoccupied areas. Experts at the Energy Saving Trust are clear that having the heating on only when needed is the best way to conserve energy and therefore money. In the field of engineering, the energy-efficient operation of commercial buildings using occupancy data has yielded promising results. So let’s delve into three examples of how this premise can be applied using infrared heating in various commercial spaces:

(1) Warehouses: Heating Personnel When Needed and Reducing Costs

In large warehouses, logistics and storage facilities, it’s common for only specific areas to be in use at any given time. With infrared heating, businesses can target the warmth to areas where personnel are working, ensuring their comfort and safety. By heating people and objects rather than the air, shortwave infrared heaters specifically reduce heat loss as they don’t cause stratification, can be ceiling mounted and positioned to heat directly between racking aisles and also aren’t affected by draughts or heat escape from loading bays or rolling shutter doors. You can learn in more detail some of the important factors to consider when choosing a warehouse heating system here and some of our Apollo options.

(2) Churches: Heating the Congregation When Required and Saving Money

Churches and places of worship often experience varying occupancy levels during services and events. Examples include Sunday services or choir practice, or community group outreach such as food bank services, crèches or counselling. In many cases, conventional heating systems fail to adhere to these occupancy demands as they require substantial pre-heating time. Infrared heaters on the other hand require no pre-heating time to deliver an instant and comfortable warmth. When strategically placed, infrared heaters can therefore be pointed downwards to efficiently target and warm the congregation when required according to their exact heating needs. During off-peak times where there are no heating needs, the heaters can be switched off to minimise energy wastage and save on energy costs.

(3) Office Heating: Zoning for Maximum Efficiency and Lower Running Costs

The modern office landscape has evolved, following the rise of practices such as hybrid working, hot desking and flexi-hours. Infrared heating allows businesses to create heating zones which in turn deliver warmth where and when it is needed. As employees move between workstations, meeting rooms and break out areas, the heating can be adjusted accordingly to offer full flexibility and maximum comfort as part of a total heating solution. By avoiding the unnecessary heating of unoccupied spaces, offices can therefore benefit from energy savings over time. Our panel heaters are low wattage and ideal for reducing energy bills within office spaces without sacrificing comfort, providing even heat distribution to gently warm people and objects before targeting the surrounding air.

The Cost Advantages of Infrared Heating

Beyond the ability to target and control heat distribution and meet net zero goals, infrared heating offers several economic advantages:

• Energy Efficiency:

Infrared heating reduces wasted heat by directly heating objects, resulting in substantial energy savings when compared to conventional heating systems.

• Zero Maintenance Costs:

Infrared heaters have  fewer moving parts, reducing the risk of breakdowns and associated maintenance expenses. As a result, well-manufactured infrared heaters are maintenance-free. Tansun prides ourselves on our ‘fit and forget’ reputation for our infrared heaters which are British-made, come with a 40-year manufacturing legacy and are innovated and tested by our expert engineering team.

• No Heat Losses:

Unlike conventional heating such as gas, infrared heaters don’t rely on air circulation vents and ductwork which often result in heat losses. The seasonal performance of a traditional commercial boiler can fluctuate and impact its overall efficiency. This is also the case for the heat pump alternative as well which has lower seasonal efficiency in colder temperatures. Instead, Tansun infrared heaters are 100% efficient at source, equipped with high-grade materials, a custom-designed smooth parabola shaped reflector and uniquely-designed heat sinks which improve durability and efficiency compared to inferior imitation products. Furthermore, our shortwave heaters aren’t impacted by seasonal changes in weather, draughts or changes in air movement.

• Quick Warm-up Times:

Infrared heaters require no pre-heating and provide rapid heat which promotes immediate comfort, eliminating the need to keep the system running when not required.

Energy Savings with Tansun Infrared Heating for Less Expensive Heating

Infrared heating from Tansun presents a powerful and economical solution for commercial spaces who are seeking to optimise warmth and comfort whilst minimising energy waste, particularly on the road to net zero. By abandoning the outdated practice of heating the whole volume of space, businesses can take advantage of infrared heating as a total heating solution through a targeted and controlled approach; leading to substantial cost savings. Whether it’s for #warehouses, #facilities, #churches or #offices, adopting infrared heating is a strategic move that not only saves money but also focuses on enhancing overall operational efficiencies.

So to answer the question:

Are infrared heaters cheap to run?

The answer is yes. Being cheap to run compared to alternative heating solutions which heat the whole volume of space and not a direct line of sight is a key benefit of infrared heaters. When finding the most cost-effective option its useful to look at the best manufacturers available. A robust and streamlined heater design can result in a heater that can last decades without the need for replacement. For an affordable heating solution that heats only where needed, our heaters offer one of the best available options out there.

Embrace the future of cost-effective and efficient heating with Tansun today, and book a FREE no obligation site visit if you’re interested in learning more about how we can design a heating scheme to suit your exact requirements and occupancy needs.