Housing associations across the UK are under more pressure than ever to decarbonise their heating. England's Warm Homes Plan and the requirement for social homes to reach EPC C by 2030, the Heat Strategy for Wales and Scotland's clean heating proposals all point to the same conclusion: fossil fuel heating in social housing has to go, and the clock is ticking.

The challenge is doing it affordably, practically and at scale, across mixed and often ageing housing stock, in occupied properties, with tenants in residence and finite capital budgets.

Heat pumps have dominated the conversation. They receive government grant support and significant media coverage, and they are the technology most associated with heating decarbonisation. But for a large proportion of social housing, particularly older properties, off-gas rural stock, flats and buildings where outdoor space or insulation standards present challenges, heat pumps are not always the most practical or cost-effective answer.

Infrared heating is increasingly filling that gap. This guide explains what infrared heating is, why it suits social housing, how it compares with the alternatives, and what housing associations should know before considering it for their estate.

What Is Infrared Heating?

Infrared heating panels are electric heaters that emit radiant heat, the same natural energy as sunlight. That heat is absorbed directly by people, surfaces and objects in a room rather than heating the air.

Unlike convection heating, infrared does not rely on warming and circulating a volume of air. The walls, floors, ceiling and furniture absorb the heat and radiate it back, creating an even, comfortable warmth that is quick to feel and easy to control.

Infrared panels are wall or ceiling mounted, connect to a standard electrical supply and need no pipework, no boiler and no annual servicing. Each panel connects to its own thermostat, giving room-level control across every property on your estate.

Infrared Group also supplies and installs unvented hot water cylinders alongside our panel systems. That means we can provide a complete space heating and hot water solution, as a like-for-like replacement for a gas boiler system, from a single supplier, through a single installation programme, with a single warranty.

The Social Housing Decarbonisation Challenge

What the targets require

In England, the government has confirmed that social homes must reach EPC C by 1 April 2030, measured against any one of the reformed EPC metrics, with a second metric to follow by 2039. As of 2024, around a quarter of social homes in England were still below EPC C. Scotland's heat in buildings proposals aim for clean heating in all buildings by 2045, and in Wales the Heat Strategy for Wales and the Welsh Housing Quality Standard set equivalent expectations for social landlords.

Many of the homes affected are older properties with solid walls, single glazing and electrical supplies not designed for large continuous heating loads. A significant proportion in rural Wales, Scotland and northern England are off the gas grid entirely, heated by oil, LPG or storage heaters.

For these properties in particular, with off-gas supply, older fabric and limited outdoor space, heat pumps face practical and financial challenges that infrared does not.

Why Infrared Heating Works Well in Social Housing

It works without fabric upgrades first

Heat pumps need a property to meet a minimum level of insulation and airtightness to perform efficiently. Installing one in a poorly insulated older home without first upgrading the building fabric is a recognised problem: the system runs continuously, struggles to reach target temperatures and delivers disappointing efficiency. The insulation pre-works add cost, time and disruption before a single heat pump goes in.

Infrared heating can be installed in properties of any age and insulation standard. The radiant heat warms people and surfaces directly, so residents can feel comfortable at a lower air temperature, and installation does not depend on a fabric-first programme. Insulation improvements remain valuable for running costs and EPC ratings, but infrared does not have to wait for them.

It suits off-gas properties

An estimated four million UK properties are not connected to the gas grid. For social landlords with rural or semi-rural stock, these homes are among the most challenging and expensive to heat, relying on oil deliveries, LPG tanks or storage heaters.

Heat pumps need adequate outdoor space for an air source unit, or land for ground loops. In rural locations with small gardens, restricted access or planning sensitivities, that is not always feasible. Infrared needs no external plant, no groundworks and no outdoor space. Panels fit to walls or ceilings and connect to the existing electrical supply.

For homes currently on oil or LPG, switching to infrared removes the oil tank and the fuel deliveries, and ends exposure to volatile fuel prices.

Minimal disruption to tenants

Infrared installation is quick and clean. There is no pipework, no wet trades and no radiator or boiler installation, and panels connect to the electrical supply. A typical property can be fitted in around a day, so tenants can stay in their homes. That matters for vulnerable residents and for housing associations delivering programmes across hundreds of homes.

In a recent installation in a 1960s former council flat, for example, panels mounted low on the wall at radiator height replaced the former electric radiators in the bedrooms and hallway.

Low maintenance and long life

Infrared panels have no moving parts, no water circuit and no refrigerant. Our panels carry a 10-year warranty and a 30-year design life, with no annual servicing required. For a landlord managing a large estate, removing boiler servicing, annual safety checks and emergency call-outs reduces whole-life costs and the number of repairs to schedule.

Smart controls and humidity monitoring

Infrared Group offers smart thermostats through our partner SALUS, with room-by-room control and mobile app management. The thermostats can also monitor room humidity and trigger the panels automatically when it rises, which helps protect homes from condensation, damp and mould. You can read more about this in our guide to infrared heating, smart humidity monitoring and Awaab's Law.

How Infrared Heating Compares With the Alternatives

Infrared heating vs heat pumps

A well-designed heat pump is more efficient per unit of electricity than infrared, so where one performs well, its running costs can be lower. But heat pumps cost more to install and often need fabric improvements, radiators or pipework, outdoor space and more disruption. Infrared has lower capital costs, a simpler installation and no fabric pre-works, which makes it a strong fit where a heat pump is impractical or the budget does not stretch to a full retrofit.

Infrared heating vs gas boilers

Mains gas is currently cheaper per unit of energy than electricity, so for homes on gas the case for infrared rests on decarbonisation, removing servicing and gas safety obligations, and future-proofing, rather than unit price. For homes off the gas grid, the comparison is with oil, LPG and storage heaters, where infrared is much more competitive.

Infrared heating vs storage heaters and electric radiators

Compared with storage heaters, infrared panels respond quickly and give room-level control, so heat is only used where and when it is needed. That makes them a practical upgrade for homes that already have electric heating.

Compliance, Funding and Planning

EPC C and your heating

Because providers can meet the 2030 requirement against any one of the reformed EPC metrics, upgrading the heating system is one possible route. Check how your stock performs on each metric before deciding where to invest.

Funding

Government funding, such as the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund, can support social landlords with energy efficiency and heating upgrades. Eligibility and the measures covered change, so check the current rules, and speak to us about how an infrared programme could fit a bid.

Damp, mould and Awaab's Law

Heating plays a direct role in preventing the condensation that causes damp and mould. For housing associations responding to Awaab's Law, radiant heat combined with humidity-triggered controls can be part of a wider damp and mould prevention strategy.

What to Check Before Specifying Infrared Heating

• Electrical capacity. Check each property's supply and consumer unit can support the panels.

• Running costs. Electricity costs more per unit than gas, so consider tenants' bills, and the potential to pair infrared with solar PV and battery storage.

• Survey and sizing. Panels should be sized and positioned room by room, based on a survey of the property.

• Ventilation. Keep appropriate ventilation in place, and add insulation where you can.

• Start with a pilot. Trial a small group of homes and gather data on comfort, running costs and tenant feedback before a wider rollout.

Talk to Infrared Group About Social Housing Heating

Infrared Group supplies and installs infrared heating, SALUS smart controls and unvented hot water cylinders for housing associations, local authorities and social landlords. If you would like to discuss a property survey, a pilot installation or a programme across your estate, get in touch with our team, explore our range of infrared heating panels or learn more on our What Is Infrared Heating page.