🔥 Halogen heater

How much does a halogen heater cost to run? 400, 800 and 1,200 W

Halogen or quartz heater electricity use in kWh and cost per hour and per month by number of bars switched on.

Typical power

800 W

Cost per hour

$0.144 · £0.208

Per year · 288 kWh

$52 · £75

With 3 hours a day for 120 days a year, electricity at $0.18/kWh and £0.26/kWh all-in.

A halogen heater uses 400 W for each bar switched on: 0.8 kWh an hour with two bars, 1.2 kWh with three. It has no thermostat, so the power you select is what you pay for the whole time.

It heats by radiation, like the sun: you feel warm at once if you sit in front of it, but the room air stays cold. That makes it suited to one person sitting still (at a desk, on the sofa), and cheaper than a 2,000 W fan heater.

Consumption compared

TypeUsagekWh/yearCost/year
1 bar (400 W)400 W144$26 · £37
2 bars (800 W)800 W288$52 · £75
3 bars (1,200 W)1,200 W432$78 · £112
Carbon heater (900 W)900 W324$58 · £84
Fan heater, for comparison2,000 W720$130 · £187

Yearly cost with 3 hours a day for 120 days a year.

Work out your cost

Per hour
$0.14
Per month
$4.32
Per year
$52
Energy per year
288 kWh

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

How to use less

  • Switch on only the bars you need and point it at yourself from 1–2 metres.
  • Turn it off when you leave the room: it stores no heat, so there is no point leaving it on.
  • Keep it away from curtains, sofas and drying laundry, and never cover it.
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FAQ

How much does a halogen heater cost to run?
About 800 W, or 0.8 kWh for each hour of use; from 400 to 1,800 W depending on the model.
How much does it cost per year?
With 3 hours a day for 120 days a year it uses about 288 kWh a year: about $52 · £75 at $0.18/kWh and £0.26/kWh.
How can I reduce it?
Switch on only the bars you need and point it at yourself from 1–2 metres. Turn it off when you leave the room: it stores no heat, so there is no point leaving it on.

And what does your whole home use?

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