Rising gas prices are prompting homeowners to consider alternatives, including electric heating. infrared heaters can be less expensive to install than Heat pumps, but they use more electricity to produce the same amount of heat. Experts cited by Handelsblatt differ on how attractive direct electric heating can be, while agreeing that operating costs are a key factor.
Infrared panels mounted on walls or ceilings convert electricity directly into heat, warming people and surfaces in a room. Energy expert and building planner Timo Leukefeld says they can be a cost-effective choice in new buildings and energy-efficient renovated homes. He also argues that radiant heat can feel more comfortable than conventional systems that warm the air, and says infrared heaters are quick to adjust and do not create drafts or stir up dust.
Martin Brandis of the consumer advice centres’ energy service recommends heat pumps instead. They use electricity more efficiently: according to the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, a heat pump can produce three to five kilowatt-hours of heat from one kilowatt-hour of electricity. A direct electric heater produces about one kilowatt-hour of heat from the same amount of electricity.
For a newly built, 150-square-metre home with annual heating demand of 6,000 kilowatt-hours, the article’s estimates put electricity use at up to 2,000 kilowatt-hours for a heat pump, compared with 6,000 for infrared heating. At an electricity price of around 38 cents per kilowatt-hour, that would mean annual costs of about €760 and €2,280, respectively.
The gap can be larger in an unrenovated older home. In the example provided, a heat pump would use 6,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity a year, costing €2,280, while infrared heating would use 18,000 kilowatt-hours, costing €6,840. A photovoltaic system can reduce running costs for either type of heating by supplying electricity generated at home.
Infrared heating has the advantage upfront. Leukefeld estimates installation at around €12,000 for the example home, compared with €45,000 for a heat pump. The consumer advice centres say heat pumps can cost from €30,000, depending on the system and building. For existing homes, heat pump conversions may qualify for subsidies covering 30% to 80% of eligible costs, up to €28,000 per single-family home. Direct electric heating does not receive this support.
Leukefeld also says infrared heaters last three times as long as heat pumps and require no maintenance. Their independent operation means a failure in one room would affect only that room, whereas a breakdown of a central heating system could leave the entire home without heat. However, landlords cannot install direct electric heating in every building; the article notes that insufficient insulation can make it unsuitable. It recommends seeking advice from a specialist installer or energy adviser.
Sources: Handelsblatt.