How Much Do Infrared Heaters Cost? Are They Expensive to Run?

Anyone who has been on the market for a space heater must have asked themselves at some point; how much are infrared heaters? When you think about getting a new home appliance, one of the first things that come to mind is how much you have to pay for it.

This also applies to infrared heaters. It’s impossible to simply guess how much infrared heaters cost because there are some factors that determine their cost and value. Let’s check them in detail.

How Much Are Infrared Heaters?

Infrared heaters come in a wide range of prices, often starting at $60 for small, desktop units to as much as $1,200 for whole-house, fireplace types. Prices differ based on certain parameters such as size and application.

Do you need a small unit for your sitting room or office, or a bigger system that covers a larger space or whole house or office? Another determining factor for the cost of infrared heaters is the type of product you get and the brand that manufactures them.

An average infrared heater for regular home use will cost around $100 to $200, depending on the power and size of the unit.

However, there are other types that may be way more expensive, especially those customized to suit your heating or aesthetic needs.

There are some decorative infrared heaters that are custom-built to complement your furniture and interior decor, and these may cost as much as $400 or more. On the flip side, you may also get low-budget single-panel options for less than $100.

It’s important to emphasize that heaters come in different prices, depending on a number of factors which we’ll be looking at next.

Factors That Determine the Cost Of Infrared Heaters

1. Size

Understandably, the size of the infrared heater is often an indication of its power, and the more powerful an infrared heater is, the more likely it is to cost more. Furthermore, larger infrared heaters tend to have more coverage, are suitable for larger spaces and do much more work, hence, their higher cost.

2. Coverage

Coverage, here, refers to how much space the heater can heat up comfortably. The logic is that, the larger the coverage, the higher the price; at least in most cases. For instance, a 420 sq ft infrared heater is likely to cost more than a 200 sq ft heater, all other things being equal.

3. Energy Efficiency

Ever wondered why energy star-rated appliances are more expensive than their regular counterparts? It’s simple; you pay an extra initial cost for the energy-saving features you’ll enjoy throughout the life of the unit. It is the same with infrared heaters. A good example is the Heat Storm HS-1500-ILODB infrared heater.

4. Brand

Some brands pride themselves in being referred to as premium or luxury brands. Some others offer premium quality and the price differentiation is often an indication of that even though this is not often the case. However, you shouldn’t expect to pay the same amount for a trusted, famous, global brand as you would a regular unknown brand.

5. Advanced Features

The more convenient the infrared heater is built, the more likely it is to cost more. So, if you’re looking out for auto thermostat, Safety features like tip-over protection, overheat auto shut-off, heat-resistant body, wifi connectivity, etc, you should be willing to pay a few extra bucks.

6. Physical Features

This is where aesthetics and decorative designs matter. You’d find heaters that are customized to complement interior decor and furniture, many of them with make-believe flames burning within to give the effect of a fireplace, and others customized to the user’s needs. These decorative infrared heaters are usually more expensive.

How Much Does It Cost to Run an Infrared Heater?

Running an infrared heater can cost anywhere from $45 to $80 a month, depending on wattage and how you use them.

For instance, the average infrared heater would cost around $57.60 every month if you run it for around 8 hours each day.

Let’s do some math:

If you own a 1,500-watt infrared heater, that amounts to 1.5 kilowatts per hour. Using the US energy rate average of $0.13  we can calculate the running cost as follows;

Wattage (in kW) × Average Cost of energy/kW = running cost per hour

Therefore, 1.5 x 0.13 = $0.195 per hour

If you run the unit for 8 hours daily, that will amount to $0.195 x 8 = $1.56 per day.

In a month, you’d spend around $46.8.

Depending on the wattage of your unit, you can determine the running cost by using the formula provided. Just be sure to convert watts to kilowatts by dividing the unit’s wattage by 1,000. Also, you’d need to ascertain the actual cost of electricity per kWh in your city to get the actual result. Here’s a recent list of tariffs across states in the United States.

You may also decide to run your unit longer in winter to help keep the cold away. For some, this may mean 12 to 16 hours daily. If you run a 2,000-watt unit for 12 hours daily, you’re certainly sure to incur more energy bills. Here’s the math;

2,000 watts = 2kW

Therefore, 2 x $0.13 (US energy cost/kWh) = $0.26 per hour.

In 12 hours, that will amount to; $3.12 daily.

This means that you’ll be spending an average of $93.6 monthly on your infrared heater’s electricity bill. When you consider the 20%-25% you’re likely to save due to auto shutdown, that will amount to around $70 to $80 monthly.

Product	Unit Size	Price
SONBION Infrared Heater	70 – 100 sq ft, 250-1,000 watt units	$60 to $120
TRLINK Infrared Patio Heater	90 – 150 sq ft, 750 to 1,500-watt units	$140 to $190
Dr Infrared Outdoor	200 – 400 sq ft, 1,500-2,000 watt units	$150 to $350
Dr Infrared	Large 1,500+ watts	$400 and above

Final Thoughts:

There’s no gainsaying the fact that infrared heaters have proven themselves to be an effective and efficient heating alternative to central heaters. Not only do they have safe power sources, but, they are also very pleasant to look at.

Thankfully, they are one of the most cost-effective space heaters you can find on the market, which puts them at a focal point for homeowners and business managers across the world. What’s more, they are also relatively cheap to run and this is an added advantage for users.