♨️ Electric heater

How much does an electric heater cost to run? Fan heater, oil radiator and more

Hourly and monthly running cost of fan heaters, oil-filled radiators and other electric heaters, and what’s cheaper.

Typical power

2,000 W

Cost per hour

$0.36 · £0.52

Per year · 960 kWh

$173 · £250

With 4 hours a day for 120 days a year, electricity at $0.18/kWh and £0.26/kWh all-in.

All resistive electric heaters are equally efficient: 1 kWh of electricity = 1 kWh of heat. A 2,000 W fan heater running for an hour uses 2 kWh, whatever the brand.

Only the way heat is delivered changes: a fan heater warms the air quickly, an oil radiator heats slowly and holds it, infrared warms people and nearby objects. A heat pump air conditioner uses about a third of the energy for the same heat.

Consumption compared

TypeUsagekWh/yearCost/year
Fan heater2,000 W960$173 · £250
Oil-filled radiator (average with thermostat)1,200 W576$104 · £150
Halogen heater1,200 W576$104 · £150
Infrared panel600 W288$52 · £75
Heat pump air conditioner, for comparison650 W312$56 · £81

Yearly cost with 4 hours a day for 120 days a year.

Work out your cost

Per hour
$0.36
Per month
$14.40
Per year
$173
Energy per year
960 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 to heat one room for a short time, not the whole house: for that it costs far more than a boiler or heat pump.
  • Pick a model with a thermostat and timer, and close the room door.
  • Be wary of “miracle low-energy heaters”: for the same heat they use as much as any other.
Lower-energy modelsCompare prices and energy labels on AmazonAmazon ↗

FAQ

How much does an electric heater cost to run?
About 2,000 W, or 2 kWh for each hour of use; from 400 to 2,500 W depending on the model.
How much does it cost per year?
With 4 hours a day for 120 days a year it uses about 960 kWh a year: about $173 · £250 at $0.18/kWh and £0.26/kWh.
How can I reduce it?
Use it to heat one room for a short time, not the whole house: for that it costs far more than a boiler or heat pump. Pick a model with a thermostat and timer, and close the room door.
🌀GuideHeat pump vs gas boiler: which is cheaper to run?

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