How much do electric heaters cost to run?
Electric heaters are generally close to 100% efficient at the point of use, because almost all the electricity they consume becomes heat. That doesn’t make every model equally economical. What matters is the heater’s power, how long it runs and whether it warms the whole room or only the person who needs it.
We calculated the maximum hourly figures in this guide using 26.32p per kWh, Ofgem’s average capped electricity unit rate for Direct Debit customers for the autumn price-cap period. Your tariff and region can change the result, and thermostatically controlled heaters won’t necessarily draw maximum power continuously. Standing charges aren’t included.
The calculation is simple: heater output in kW × your electricity unit rate = maximum cost per hour.
At that rate, the 300W INVO costs about 8p an hour at full power. The Beldray costs roughly 11p, 21p or 32p an hour across its three settings. The Dreamland costs about 49p an hour in its 1.85kW eco mode or 58p at its full 2.2kW output. A 2kW heater such as the Daewoo or Dimplex costs about 53p an hour at maximum output, the 2.25kW Dyson costs about 59p and the 2.5kW De’Longhi costs about 66p. The Dyson’s app can help with control and scheduling, but smart features don’t make the electricity itself cheaper.
Heating expert Matthew Jenkins advises looking for useful controls rather than simply buying the lowest-wattage model: “Going for a heater with sensors and smart functionality should help you keep running costs down. Some models come with adjustable power settings, eco modes, timers and open-window detection to help you run your heater more efficiently.”
What type of electric heater is best?
“The best electric heater for a room depends on the size of the space and what you’re using the heater for,” explains Matthew Jenkins. “If you’re looking for gentle warmth over a long period of time, an oil-filled radiator, ceramic radiator or panel heater is probably most suitable.
“If you’re looking for an electric heater that can warm you up quickly when it’s particularly cold, or you need to heat a small space that isn’t covered by your central heating, then an infrared heater is often the best choice. Infrared heaters directly heat people, objects and surfaces rather than the air. This makes them efficient, and you quickly feel the benefit when they’re on. Plus, the warmth it transfers to objects and surfaces can help a space to remain at a comfortable temperature after you switch it off.
“For supplementary heating that can easily be set up in any room, a portable space or fan heater is probably most convenient. However, these can be expensive to run, so they’re best for occasional rather than regular use.”
In short, choose an oil-filled radiator for steady room heat, a convector for simple background warmth, a fan or halogen heater for a quick burst and an infrared panel for one person in a fixed spot. The most economical choice is the heater that fits the job and can be switched off promptly, not automatically the one with the smallest or largest wattage.