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Winter is on its way, and with it comes frost on the car, visible breath in the kitchen, and everyone starts searching “heater” on Google.

Of course, if it has already got to this point, then it’s most likely too late to heat your space as efficiently as possible.

Getting everything set before the real cold weather sets in then is massively important. Here’s why.

Cost #1: The Stopgap Tax

When most people are in a pinch for heating, they buy a cheap 2kW fan heater.

Don’t be most people!

Let’s break down the numbers to find out why.

Your cheap fan heater uses 2kW, so running it for 4 hours will use 8kW.

These numbers are pretty meaningless until we attach a cost to them: at 26.32p per kWh, those 4 hours are costing you £2.11 a day.

That’s £14.77 a week, and £59.08 a month.

Now consider that an infrared can generate similar levels of comfort using 700-900W.

A 900W panel that’s in use for 4 hours uses 3.6kW.

At the same 26.32p per kWh, that same 4 hours costs you 95p instead.

That’s £6.65 a week, and £26.60 a month.

Over a three month period, you’d be saving around £100 just on bills alone! After 6 months, you’ll have made your money back on your initial investment.

Cost #2: Panic Buying Is Bad Buying

Nobody ever made a good panic buy, and heating is no exception.

When you’re cold, you end up buying what’s available, rather than taking the time to work out exactly what you need.

This can mean the wrong size heater, the wrong controls, the wrong mounting type, or simply paying for something that isn't right for your room.

The biggest pitfall here is heater size.

Undersize your heater and it may struggle to keep the room warm. Oversize it and you’ve spent more money upfront than you needed to.

Luckily, working out what size infrared heater you need is pretty simple.

First, multiply the length, width and height of your room together to get its volume in cubic metres.

Then multiply that number by:

If your space is…	Multiply your room volume by…
Well insulated	25
Moderately insulated	30
Poorly insulated	35

So, if your room is 3m by 4m and 2.8m high, your volume is 33.6m³.

If it’s moderately insulated, multiply 33.6 by 30, giving you 1008W.

That gives you a starting point of around 1000W of infrared heating for that space. 

See, easy!

Getting this worked out before you’re desperate for heat means you have time to choose the right panel, rather than settling for whatever is available.

Cost #3: Heating The Whole House To Fix One Room

You’ve got a cold home office, conservatory or loft room, so you turn the central heating up.

Simple, right?

Not quite.

Your central heating doesn’t just heat that one room. It heats the whole house.

So if you’re sitting in your home office while the rest of the house is empty, you could be paying to heat rooms nobody is using just to make one room comfortable.

That extra heating all adds to your energy use, and therefore your bills.

This is where having a separate heater for that room can make sense. Surya’s infrared panels can be installed as plug-and-play or hardwired, depending on the setup, so you can heat the room you actually need without turning up the heating throughout the whole house.

And if you leave it until the last minute, you may also have fewer options. Standard Surya panels are normally delivered within 2–3 working days, while some Image and Custom Image panels can take longer to arrive.

Getting it sorted before the cold weather arrives gives you more time to choose the right option for the room, rather than making a rushed decision when you’re already cold.

Cost #4: Energy Prices Are Heading The Wrong Way

The energy price cap rose by 4% from October 2026, taking the typical annual bill from £1,663 to £1,723.

And it could get worse.

The House of Commons Library currently forecasts a further 9% increase for the first quarter of 2027.

Most of that increase is being driven by gas costs. Gas prices have risen much more than electricity prices, with electricity seeing an increase of less than 1% for households during this period.

That means if you’re relying on gas heating, waiting could mean paying more to heat your home later.

Electricity prices are relatively stable right now, but energy prices can change. Getting your heating sorted before the colder months arrive gives you more control over what you’re likely to spend when you need it most.

Cost #5: Missing The Tariff Switch

Getting your heating sorted isn’t just about choosing the right heater.

It’s also worth looking at the tariff you’re paying for.

Ofgem points out that some fixed tariffs are currently available for £100 or more below the October price cap. Some suppliers also offer cheaper electricity at certain times for customers with a smart meter.

That means the time you use your heating can matter too.

If you have panels controlled by timers or a smart thermostat, you can make better use of cheaper off-peak electricity where your tariff allows it.

Leave it too late to switch, and you could end up paying more than you need to for the same energy. 

The Autumn Heating Checklist

Before the really cold weather arrives, take a few minutes to get your heating sorted.

• Find the cold spots – Which rooms are regularly colder than the rest?
• Measure your rooms – Get the length, width and height so you know what size heater you need.
• Size your panels – Use your room measurements and insulation level to work out the right wattage.
• Set up your controls – Get your thermostats, timers or smart controls ready before you need them.
• Check your tariff – See if there’s a cheaper tariff or off-peak rate that could work for you.
• Do a test run – Turn your heating on before November and make sure everything is working as it should.

Get these jobs done now, and you won’t be trying to sort everything out when the temperature drops.

Need Help Choosing The Right Panel?

Not sure what size panel you need?

Use our sizing guide to work out what will suit your room, or get in touch with the details of your space and we can recommend a panel for you.

Call us on 0116 321 4124 or email sales@suryaheating.co.uk for advice.