De energieprijzen blijven maar schommelen. Gas wordt steeds duurder en veel gezinnen vragen zich af: Energy prices keep fluctuating. Gas is becoming increasingly expensive, and many families are wondering:
is electric heating with infrared panels not too expensive?
The answer surprises many people. Infrared panels use less energy than you think—especially if you choose a high-quality panel and use it wisely.
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In this article, we explain step by step:
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How much electricity an infrared panel uses per hour, per day, and per year
- Which factors affect your consumption
How you can save up to tens of percent on your energy bill with a few simple tips
How much does an infrared panel consume per hour? An infrared panel has a certain wattage
(for example, 300 W, 600 W, 800 W, or 1200 W).
You can easily calculate consumption:
Wattage ÷ 1000 = kWh per hour
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A Examples: uses 0.6 kWh per hour
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A 800 W panel uses 0.8 kWh per hour
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A 1200 W panel uses 1.2 kWh per hour
So if an 800 W panel is on for 8 hours a day, its consumption is 6.4 kWh per day.
What does this mean for your energy bill?
The average electricity price in the Netherlands in 2025 is around €0.27 per kWh.
Example calculation:
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800 W panel, 8 hours per day = 6.4 kWh
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6.4 kWh x €0.27 = €1.73 per day
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With daily use: 30 days x €1.73 = approximately €52 per month
➡️ In reality, it is often around lower, because infrared panels do not run continuously at full power. Thanks to a smart thermostat they switch off automatically as soon as the desired temperature is reached. On average, they effectively operate at full power for only 30–50% of the time.
Average annual consumption (depending on insulation)
Actual consumption varies by home type and level of insulation:
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Poorly insulated home50–75 kWh per m² per year
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Moderately insulated home: 30–50 kWh per m² per year
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Well-insulated home: 10–30 kWh per m² per year
Example:
25 m² living room
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Poorly insulated: 1250–1875 kWh per year (≈ €340–€510)
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Moderately insulated: 750–1250 kWh per year (≈ €200–€340)
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Well insulated: 250–750 kWh per year (≈ €67–€200)
Factors determining your consumption
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Home insulation – the better insulated the home, the less heat is lost.
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Panel placement – comparable to lighting: good distribution ensures greater efficiency.
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Panel output – a wattage that is too low may seem economical, but it has to run longer and therefore consumes more.
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Usage and behavior – heating only the rooms you are in can deliver substantial savings.
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Smart thermostat – automatically regulates consumption and keeps the temperature constant (often with a deviation of just 0.1°C).
Save even more with solar panels
Do you combine infrared panels with solar panels and, optionally, a home battery? Then you heat largely using your your own green electricity.
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You generate your own energy → less dependent on rising energy prices
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With a battery, you can store your own electricity and use it whenever you need heat
- Combined with infrared heating, this can even lead to net-zero living
Conclusion: infrared is more energy-efficient than you think
Many people are alarmed by the idea of “heating with electricity,” but infrared panels work differently from a conventional electric heater.
Because they provide direct heat to people and objects, and can be smartly controlled with thermostats, consumption is often significantly lower.
👉 Want to know exactly what the infrared heating in your home consumes? Then ask for a free personalized advice and discover how much you can save.