If you've ever had to choose between a Dimplex electric heater and a wall-mounted natural gas infrared unit, you already know it's not as straightforward as the spec sheets suggest. I've been handling HVAC orders for commercial facilities since 2019, and I've personally made (and documented) six significant mistakes—totaling roughly $4,200 in wasted budget. This article is the checklist I wish I'd had back then.

Comparing Apples to... Well, Two Different Heating Philosophies

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let's establish what we're actually comparing. On one side, we have the Dimplex electric heater—specifically their panel heaters, oil radiators, and baseboard models. On the other, the Dimplex wall-mounted natural gas infrared heater. Both are branded Dimplex, but they serve fundamentally different roles in a building's heating strategy.

Why does this matter? Because I've seen facility managers order a dozen electric panel heaters for a warehouse that only had gas hookups, and I've seen contractors install gas infrared units in a classroom where the kids could reach the grille. The question isn't 'which is better'—it's 'which is right for your specific situation.'

Here's what we'll compare: installation complexity, operating costs, maintenance burden, and suitability for different spaces. I'll use real experiences—including my own screw-ups—to show you where each one shines and where it falls apart.

Installation: The Surprising Twist

You'd think a natural gas heater is harder to install than an electric one. Most of the time, you'd be right. But here's where it gets interesting.

Dimplex electric heaters (panel heaters, baseboard units, oil radiators) are generally plug-and-play. Mount it on the wall, wire it to a 120V or 240V circuit, set the thermostat. A competent facility maintenance person can install one in under an hour. The biggest headache is running new circuits if your panel is full—I learned this the hard way when we added eight panel heaters to a building and had to upgrade the electrical panel. That added $1,800 to the project.

Dimplex wall-mounted natural gas infrared heaters are a different beast. They need a gas line run to the location, proper ventilation (usually a sealed combustion system or a flue), and often a permit inspection. In September 2022, I ordered six of these for a workshop renovation. What the sales rep didn't mention: the building's gas meter didn't have enough capacity. We ended up paying $3,200 for a gas line upgrade. The installer, who'd done dozens of similar jobs, said, 'This happens more often than you'd think.'

But here's the twist: if you're retrofitting an older building that already has gas lines and good ventilation, the natural gas unit can actually be easier than running new electrical circuits. I remember a project in a 1970s warehouse where the existing electrical system couldn't handle another 20 amps of load, but the gas piping was already in place. The gas infrared heater was the only sensible option.

Installation complexity depends more on your building's existing infrastructure than on the heater type itself.

Efficiency and Cost: The Numbers That Surprised Me

This is the dimension that flipped my assumptions upside down.

Dimplex electric heaters are nearly 100% efficient at converting electricity to heat. But that electricity cost varies wildly. As of January 2025, the average U.S. commercial electricity rate is about 12.3 cents per kWh (Source: EIA). A 1,500-watt Dimplex panel heater running 8 hours/day costs roughly $1.48/day. Over a 6-month heating season, that's about $270 per heater.

Dimplex wall-mounted natural gas infrared heaters are typically 80-85% efficient (the rest goes out the flue). But natural gas is cheaper per unit of heat. As of January 2025, natural gas averages about $1.10 per therm (Source: EIA). A 30,000 BTU gas infrared heater running 8 hours/day costs roughly $0.86/day. That same 6-month season comes out to about $155 per heater.

The bottom line? The natural gas infrared heater costs about 43% less to operate in most U.S. markets. That's a game-changer if you're heating a large space.

But here's the context-dependency: in markets like New England or the Pacific Northwest, where electricity rates are lower or gas prices are higher (hello, winter price spikes), the gap narrows significantly. I'd recommend running your own numbers using local rates rather than taking national averages at face value.

Also worth noting: electric heaters require no heat exchanger maintenance. Gas units need annual cleaning and inspection of the burner, thermocouple, and flue. That adds maybe $150-200/year in service costs. So the operating cost advantage of natural gas narrows by about $15-20/month when you factor in maintenance.

Comfort and Heat Distribution: The Real-World Difference

This is where the technology really diverges, and where I've seen facility managers make the wrong call.

Dimplex electric panel heaters and oil radiators work by convection and radiant heat. They warm the air in the room, which then circulates. The result: steady, even heat that stays comfortable for hours. For occupied spaces like offices, classrooms, or break rooms, this is hard to beat. The heat is quiet, there's no draft, and you don't feel like you're sitting directly under a blast furnace.

Dimplex wall-mounted natural gas infrared heaters work differently. They emit infrared radiation that heats objects and people directly, not the air. The result: you feel warm almost instantly, but the air stays cooler. This is fantastic for warehouses, loading docks, and workshops where you need 'spot heating' and there are high ceilings (all that hot air just collects up there anyway). But it's terrible for spaces where people are sitting still for long periods—like an office. The uneven heating can cause hot spots and cold drafts.

I remember a mistake from 2021: a client asked for heaters for a small machine shop (about 5,000 sq ft). I recommended four Dimplex panel heaters. The shop had 16-foot ceilings and the workers were constantly moving. The panel heaters struggled to maintain 68°F at floor level. We swapped them for two gas infrared units the next winter, and the workers reported a 10°F improvement in comfort at the working height. Lesson: match the heating technology to the space usage and ceiling height.

Maintenance: The Hidden Cost

This is the dimension where many people underestimate the long-term commitment.

Dimplex electric heaters are essentially maintenance-free. Occasional dusting of the fins, maybe a fan cleaning if it's one of their fan-forced models. The electric heating element itself is solid-state. I've seen electric panel heaters run for 20+ years with zero service. When they fail, it's usually a controller board or a thermostat—easy to replace.

Dimplex gas infrared heaters require annual maintenance: cleaning the burner assembly, replacing the igniter (they wear out), checking the gas pressure, inspecting the flue for blockages. If you skip this, efficiency drops and the risk of carbon monoxide issues increases. In my experience, a gas heater that's been neglected for 2-3 years loses about 10-15% of its rated output. I once saw a gas infrared unit in a factory that was sooted up so badly its efficiency had dropped by 25%. The client was paying for gas it wasn't even using effectively.

The annual maintenance cost for a gas infrared heater runs about $150-250 per unit (depending on your location and service company). For a facility with 20 of these, that's $3,000-5,000/year. Electric heaters? Near zero. This recurring cost needs to be factored into your total cost of ownership calculation.

That said, gas heaters can last 15-20 years if maintained. Electric heaters can last 20-30 years. The lifespan difference isn't significant enough to drive the decision.

Safety and Code Considerations: The Deal-Breaker

This is less about performance and more about where you install them. I can't stress this enough—it's a non-negotiable factor.

Dimplex electric heaters are safe in almost any indoor environment. No combustion. No flue gas. No risk of carbon monoxide. They meet virtually all building codes for occupied spaces. The only limitation is proximity to combustible materials—but that's the case for any heater. They're also suitable for bathrooms (if properly rated) and other rooms with high humidity.

Dimplex gas infrared heaters have stricter requirements. They need adequate combustion air and ventilation. They must be installed away from flammable materials (and this distance is greater than for electric). They require clearance from combustible surfaces. Some local codes restrict them in certain occupancies (like schools or dormitories) because of the open flame and hot surface risk. I spoke with a contractor in California in 2024 who told me that local codes in his area effectively banned unvented gas infrared heaters in new construction.

One more thing: outdoor or semi-enclosed spaces. Gas infrared heaters are excellent for patios, loading bays, and covered walkways. Electric heaters are generally not weatherproof and will fail if exposed to rain or snow. I've made that mistake. In 2022, I ordered three Dimplex electric panel heaters for a covered deck. By the third rain event, two had moisture damage and the third needed its thermostat replaced. The client wasn't happy.

Which One Should You Choose? (Decision Framework)

After years of getting this wrong in various ways, here's my decision framework. This isn't a one-size-fits-all answer—it's a set of questions to ask yourself.

Choose Dimplex Electric Heaters If:

  • Your space is occupied by people sitting still (offices, classrooms, conference rooms). The even, quiet heat is what you want.
  • You have adequate electrical capacity and don't want to run gas lines.
  • You want near-zero maintenance and can accept slightly higher operating costs.
  • You're retrofitting a single room in a building that otherwise doesn't have gas distribution.
  • You need heat in a bathroom or humid environment (use a bathroom-rated unit).

Choose Dimplex Wall-Mounted Gas Infrared Heaters If:

  • Your space has high ceilings (12+ feet) where convective heat will stratify and be wasted.
  • You need spot heating for a large, drafty space (warehouse, loading dock, workshop).
  • You already have gas lines in place and don't want to upgrade the electrical service.
  • Operating cost is your primary concern and you're in an area where natural gas is significantly cheaper than electricity.
  • You're heating a semi-enclosed outdoor area (patio, loading bay).

And a Word on the 'Hybrid' Option

I've seen some large facilities use a combination approach. For example, a distribution center with a small office area: gas infrared heaters for the warehouse floor, Dimplex electric panel heaters for the 5,000 sq ft office section. It adds complexity to the HVAC system but optimizes comfort and cost for each zone. If you have the budget for separate systems, it's worth considering.

Part of me wants to say 'go electric for simplicity.' Another part knows that for the right application, the gas infrared heater is dramatically more cost-effective. I've reconciled this by creating a simple checklist before every order: check available power, check gas availability, check ceiling height, check occupancy type. The wrong choice costs real money—both upfront and over time.

Prices as of January 2025; verify current rates at your local utility and equipment distributor. This is general guidance, not engineering advice. Always consult a licensed contractor for your specific installation.