🌬️ Fan heater

How much does a fan heater cost to run per hour? 1 kW and 2 kW

Fan heater electricity use in kWh and cost per hour and per month at half and full power, and when it makes sense.

Typical power

2,000 W

Cost per hour

$0.36 · £0.52

Per year · 480 kWh

$86 · £125

With 2 hours a day for 120 days a year, electricity at $0.18/kWh and £0.26/kWh all-in.

A fan heater at full power draws 2,000 W: 2 kWh every hour. It is one of the most powerful appliances in the home.

Its advantage is speed: it warms the air in a bathroom or small room within minutes. Efficiency is the same as any electric heater, ceramic models included: 1 kWh of electricity gives 1 kWh of heat. So it suits short bursts, not long heating.

Consumption compared

TypeUsagekWh/yearCost/year
Half power (1,000 W)1,000 W240$43 · £62
Full power (2,000 W)2,000 W480$86 · £125
Ceramic PTC (1,500 W)1,500 W360$65 · £94
2,000 W with thermostat, real average1,200 W288$52 · £75
Heat pump air conditioner, for comparison650 W156$28 · £41

Yearly cost with 2 hours a day for 120 days a year.

Work out your cost

Per hour
$0.36
Per month
$7.20
Per year
$86
Energy per year
480 kWh

The price is a typical all-in figure for your country: replace it with yours (bill total ÷ kWh).

How to use less

  • Use it for 10–20 minutes where needed, for example in the bathroom before a shower, then switch it off.
  • Pick a model with a thermostat: it stops by itself once the room is warm.
  • For heating a room for hours a heat pump air conditioner is cheaper: about a third of the cost for the same heat.
  • In a bathroom use only splash-proof models rated for it.
Lower-energy modelsCompare prices and energy labels on AmazonAmazon ↗

FAQ

How much does a fan heater cost to run per hour?
About 2,000 W, or 2 kWh for each hour of use; from 750 to 2,400 W depending on the model.
How much does it cost per year?
With 2 hours a day for 120 days a year it uses about 480 kWh a year: about $86 · £125 at $0.18/kWh and £0.26/kWh.
How can I reduce it?
Use it for 10–20 minutes where needed, for example in the bathroom before a shower, then switch it off. Pick a model with a thermostat: it stops by itself once the room is warm.
🌀GuideHeat pump vs gas boiler: which is cheaper to run?

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