Back Home

Do Infrared Heaters Produce Carbon Monoxide?

Do Infrared Heaters Produce Carbon Monoxide?

Heating your home should feel safe as well as comfortable. As more people switch to energy-efficient systems, we often get asked: Do infrared heaters produce carbon monoxide?

To answer it right away: Infrared heaters do not emit carbon monoxide.

This article explains why they do not emit carbon monoxide, how these heaters work, and why they offer one of the safest ways to stay warm, without the risks of older, combustion-based heating.

 

What is Carbon Monoxide and Why is it Dangerous?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless gas. It forms when fuels like wood, coal, oil, or gas burn incompletely. Since you can’t see or smell it, the gas can build up without warning, especially in enclosed spaces.

Even low exposure can trigger symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, nausea, and shortness of breath. Higher levels or long-term exposure can lead to unconsciousness or death. That’s why households with gas appliances or solid-fuel stoves must install CO detectors and ventilate properly.

You’ll typically find carbon monoxide in homes that use:

  • Gas boilers
  • Wood-burning stoves
  • Open fires
  • Portable kerosene or propane heaters

All these systems rely on combustion, the process that produces carbon monoxide. Infrared heaters don’t use combustion at all.

 

How Infrared Heaters Work (and Why They’re Different)

Infrared heaters use electricity to emit radiant heat, warming people, objects, and surfaces directly, just like the sun’s rays. They don’t warm the air; they warm what matters.

Because these systems don’t burn fuel, they operate without flames, fumes, or exhaust. That removes the possibility of carbon monoxide altogether. There’s no combustion involved, so there’s nothing to vent, monitor, or worry about.

 

Do Infrared Heaters Produce Carbon Monoxide?

No. Infrared heaters don’t produce carbon monoxide under any circumstances.

Because they run purely on electricity, infrared heaters don’t emit any combustion gases. Not even trace amounts.

Health and safety authorities, including the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), confirm that carbon monoxide is only a concern with combustion-based appliances. Infrared heating avoids that risk altogether, making CO detectors unnecessary for their use.

 

Hidden Risks with Other Heating Types

Older heating systems often come with carbon monoxide risks built in. For example:

  • Gas boilers can leak CO if you skip regular servicing
  • Wood-burning stoves emit CO as a by-product of burning
  • Open fireplaces vent smoke indoors if chimneys block
  • Portable fuel heaters release fumes and need constant ventilation

You must manage these systems carefully. Clean chimneys, service appliances, and install alarms to reduce CO risks.

Infrared heaters avoid these problems completely. They:

  • Produce no emissions
  • Need no ventilation
  • Don’t need annual servicing for safety
  • Never create CO, no matter how long you use them

That makes them especially appealing for landlords, public spaces, and family homes where safety matters.

 

Other Safety Benefits of Infrared Heating

Infrared heaters go beyond eliminating carbon monoxide. They offer several other safety features:

  • Their lack of moving parts reduces mechanical faults or failure
  • They produce no fumes or odours
  • They don’t dry out the air like convection heaters do

And since infrared systems don’t circulate air, they won’t spread dust, pollen, or bacteria. That creates a healthier space for people with asthma, allergies, or respiratory issues.

 

Environmental and Health Advantages

Infrared heating doesn’t just protect you from carbon monoxide. It also supports a cleaner and healthier indoor environment.

  • It preserves humidity levels and prevents dry air
  • It gently dries walls and floors, helping reduce damp and mould
  • It operates silently which is perfect for bedrooms, studies, or therapy rooms
  • You can power it with green electricity for ultra-low emissions

Since the heat radiates rather than circulates, it leaves the air still and stable ideal for comfort and air quality.

 

Final Thoughts: Safe, Simple, and Smart Heating

Infrared heaters deliver clean, silent warmth without producing carbon monoxide. They release no emissions and need virtually no maintenance, giving you safe, stress-free warmth.

If you want a modern heating system that offers comfort without compromise, infrared heating gives you peace of mind and energy savings in one package.