What Is The Cheapest Electric Heater To Run In 2024? (2024)

Last Updated on August 23, 2024 by Daewoo Electricals

Contents

  • How to calculate energy efficiency
  • Halogen Heaters
  • Convector Heaters
  • Oil Filled Radiators
  • Fan Heaters
  • Conclusion

Jump to Conclusion

It’s important to be conscious about our energy usage – it helps us look after both the planet and our bills.

According to the Government’s annual domestic energy bill report, the average UK electricity bill across all payment types rose by £391 to £1,160 in 2022, so it’s increasingly important to look out for how much we spend.

But when the cold weather closes in during Autumn and Winter, it’s easy to get carried away with exactly how much electricity we are using, especially when it comes to heating your home.

Electric heaters (or space heaters) are a great way to heat individual rooms in your home. This means you don’t always have to fire up the central heating if you’re feeling chilly, which often ends up wasting energy by heating up rooms that you’re not using!

However, there are a number of different types of electric heaters on the market, which makes it difficult to know which type of electric heater is best suited to your requirements and which are more energy efficient than others.

If you’re looking for energy efficient heaters to warm up your home, or if you’re doing some research ahead of purchasing a new electric heater, here is a breakdown of each type of electric heater. We’ll run through what they’re good for, and how much they will cost you to run.

How to Calculate Energy Efficiency

We’ve calculated these costs based on the average electricity prices for England, Scotland & Wales following Ofgem’s Price Cap, valid from 1 October 2023. The cost of electricity is measured in kWh (kilowatts per hour) for a standard rate. The rates for Economy 7 energy therefore may differ, but will hopefully still give you an idea of which types of room heaters have the cheapest running costs.

What Is The Cheapest Electric Heater To Run In 2024? (2)

Halogen Heaters

Halogen Heaters are great for instant heat. They get their name from the halogen element inside the bulb or lamp of the heater which, when combined with electricity, heats up and provides a radiant heat.

The radiant heat means halogen heaters will heat up the area directly in-front of them, which is great if you want a quick blast of heat but not so much if you are looking to heat a whole room equally.

Generally speaking, Halogen heaters are one of the most inexpensive types of electric heater. They average around 1200W in terms of power output and because they provide instant-heat at close quarters, you shouldn’t need to leave them on for long periods of time.

Halogen Heater Running Cost – £0.33 / hour

Average Price: £19.99 – £29.99

Average Wattage: 1200W

Running cost: £0.33 / hour


Shop Daewoo 1200W Halogen Heater.

Shop Halogen Heaters

What Is The Cheapest Electric Heater To Run In 2024? (3)

Convector Heaters

Convector heaters are ideal for warming up small to medium sized rooms with even heat distribution. Convection heaters work by circulating air through the room by the process of convection – where warm air rises and cold air sinks. Cold air is sucked into the bottom of the heater and travels along the heating element, where it is warmed and then exits the heater at the top.

The nature of convection heaters mean they usually take a little longer until you feel the heat (compared to a halogen heater for example), but it will heat the whole room evenly. Typically, convection heaters are around 2000W in power output which does make them more expensive to run. On top of this, you might tend to leave a convection heater on for longer periods of time too (compared to radiant heaters).

However, most convector heaters come with a built-in thermostat control. This means you have control over the heat and power output of the heater, and therefore become more efficient to run.

Convector Heater Running Cost – £0.55 / hour

Average Price: £14.99 – £24.99

Average Wattage: 2000W

Running cost: £0.55 / hour


Shop Daewoo Convection Heaters.

Shop Convector Heaters

What Is The Cheapest Electric Heater To Run In 2024? (4)

Oil Filled Radiators

Oil-filled radiators are great for a long lasting heat. They work by heating thermodynamic oil inside the body of the radiator. When switched on, a heating element submerged in the oil heats up. This in-turn heats the oil, which transfers heat to the body of the radiator. As the radiator gets hot, the room is warmed via both convection and heat radiation.

The average wattage on an oil-filled radiator can vary quite a lot, which therefore means how costly they are can vary. However, many oil-filled radiators will come equipped with a built-in thermostatic control, which therefore allows you to control the power and heat output of the radiator. For this reason, they can be considered one of the most energy efficient types of heaters.

On top of this, oil-filled radiators retain heat much better than other room heaters; meaning heat will still radiate from the radiator for a short while after you’ve switched it off. For purposes of assessing the cost of running an oil-filled radiator, we have assumed the average wattage is 1500W.

Oil Filled Radiator Running Cost – £0.41 / hour

Average Price: £19.99

Average Wattage: 1500W

Running cost: £0.41 / hour


Shop Daewoo Oil Filled Radiators

Shop Oil Filled Radiators

What Is The Cheapest Electric Heater To Run In 2024? (5)

Fan Heaters

If you want to warm a small-room quickly, fan heaters are the way to go. Cool air enters the heater at the back, which passes over a heating element, before being blown out at the front via the internal fan.

Because of the nature of fan heaters, the warm air being blown out can reach a further distance more quickly than other heaters, meaning they can quickly heat a room up.

However, because there is a fan inside, they do produce a noise when working. Fan heaters are generally available for about 2000W, and are often available with thermostatic control.

Fan Heater Running Cost – £0.55 / hour

Average Price: £19.99

Average Wattage: 2000W

Running cost: £0.55 / hour


Shop Daewoo Fan Heaters

Shop Fan Heaters

Conclusion

So, after looking at the different types of electric heaters available, due to its lower power-output, halogen heaters are the cheapest electric heaters to run. Shop our range of Halogen Heaters here.

However, many of the other (more high-watt) heaters come with built-in thermostat controls and sometimes timers, which will allow you to regulate their power output and how long you have them on for. This will help to reduce running costs. Really, it all depends what kind of heater you’re looking for and more importantly how you use it.

It’s also important to note that, if used for over long periods of time, electric room heaters can be expensive to run (as electric is more expensive than gas). They produce quick and intense heat, so should be used intermittently to heat a room up – as opposed to a central heating system which can be left on for longer periods of time.

Heater TypeRunning Cost
Halogen Heater£0.33 / hour
Convector Heater
£0.55 / hour
Oil Filled Radiator£0.41 / hour
Fan Heater£0.55 / hour

Summary

Article Name

What Is The Cheapest Electric Heater To Run?

Description

Do you know what the most cost and energy efficient heater is? Find the cheapest electric heater to run and exactly how much they cost.

Author

Daewoo Electricals

Publisher Name

Daewoo Electricals

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What Is The Cheapest Electric Heater To Run In 2024? (6)

What Is The Cheapest Electric Heater To Run In 2024? (2024)

FAQs

What Is The Cheapest Electric Heater To Run In 2024? ›

Conclusion. So, after looking at the different types of electric heaters available, due to its lower power-output, halogen heaters are the cheapest electric heaters to run.

What is the cheapest heater to run in 2024? ›

Electric heaters details
Heater typeAverage hourly usage (kW/h)Hourly running cost
Oil-filled column heater1.99$2.75
Panel heater2.00$2.76
Radiant heater2.04$2.82
Reverse cycle air conditioner3.54$1.63
3 more rows
Jul 22, 2024

What type of heater uses the least electricity? ›

The Cost of Running an Electric Heater

Oil-filled heaters are the least efficient type of heater. If you want to save money on your heating costs, then an infrared heater is the best type of heater to choose. An infrared heater will use less electricity than any other type of heater, and so it will be cheaper to run.

Which electric heater is most energy efficient? ›

Electric radiators and infrared panels are among the most efficient forms of electric heating. Ceramic electric radiators deliver an even split of convection and radiation, and infrared panels use radiation as their sole method of heat transfer.

How much does it cost to run a 1500 watt heater for 24 hours in the UK? ›

Electric Heating Electricity Cost Calculator
Power RatingPer HourPer Day*
1000W (1kW)£0.22 1000W£1.34 6kWh
1200W (1.2kW)£0.27 1200W£1.61 7.2kWh
1500W (1.5kW)£0.33 1500W£2.01 9kWh
2000W (2kW)£0.45 2000W£2.68 12kWh
4 more rows

What is the most affordable electric heater? ›

Generally speaking, Halogen heaters are one of the most inexpensive types of electric heater. They average around 1200W in terms of power output and because they provide instant-heat at close quarters, you shouldn't need to leave them on for long periods of time.

How much does it cost to run a 1500 watt heater for 8 hours? ›

On average, you can expect to pay about 20 cents per hour to run an average space heater that's 1,500 watts and can heat a standard room. If you run it for eight hours per day, you'll pay about $1.60 per day. That comes out to just under $50 per month.

Which heater save electricity? ›

If you need to heat larger spaces, like an open-plan living room, it may be worth looking into a reverse-cycle, split-system or a gas heater for the most energy-efficient option.

Which heating system uses the least electricity? ›

Reverse cycle air-conditioners provide convective heat and are the most energy-efficient heater and cooler of all types, irrespective of fuel source.

Which heaters cost less to run? ›

Halogen Heaters

This type of heat is ideal if you need to quickly warm up an area but won't be as effective in heating an entire room evenly. Halogen heaters are among the most cost-effective electric heater options, with a typical power output of 1200W.

What is the cheapest way to heat a room with electricity? ›

Cheapest ways to heat your home
  • How to cut the cost of running an indoor heater. Radflek radiator reflector foil sheets are one easiest and most cost-effective ways to save energy in your home. ...
  • Far Infrared Heaters. ...
  • Conventional heaters. ...
  • Ceramic Heaters. ...
  • Oil-Filled Heaters. ...
  • Fan Heaters. ...
  • Convector Heaters. ...
  • Panel Heaters.

What is the best heater for power bill? ›

Energy Saving Electric Heaters
  • De'Longhi Slim Style Panel Heater. SKU: 10520642. ...
  • Dyson AM09 Hot + Cool Ceramic Fan Heater - Black/Iron. SKU: 10360622. ...
  • COSTWAY Wall-Mounted Electric Heater Patio Infrared Heater W/ Remote Control. ...
  • COSTWAY 1500W Wall-Mounted Infrared Heater Indoor & Outdoor Electric Heater With Remote.

Do oil filled heaters use a lot of electricity? ›

According to Home Inspection Insider, running a 1,500-watt oil heater costs an average rate of 10 cents an hour. If you run your heater for eight hours a day, it would cost you around $25 a month.

How many square feet will a 1500 watt electric heater heat? ›

As a rule of thumb, you will need 10 watts or 50 BTUs (British Thermal Units) of heating power for every square foot of floor area in a room. That means a 1,500-watt (7,500 BTU) heater can be the primary heat source for an area measuring up to 150 square feet.

How much does it cost to run a TV for 8 hours? ›

How Much Does a Large Screen TV Use? An LCD TV, which consumes about 120 watts, uses 0.12 kWh per hour. If it's turned on for 8 hours, it costs about 21.5p per day or approximately 2.7p per hour. However, if you have a plasma TV, which averages around 350 watts, it consumes 0.35 kWh per hour.

What is the cheapest form of heat right now? ›

Natural gas is still the least costly form of energy in most of the country,” David says. “Plus, furnaces will cost less than a central heating system and should last many years longer.”

What heating is the cheapest to run? ›

Cheapest ways to heat your home
  • Ceramic Heaters. ...
  • Oil-Filled Heaters. ...
  • Fan Heaters. ...
  • Convector Heaters. ...
  • Panel Heaters. ...
  • Storage Heaters. ...
  • Space Heaters. ...
  • Heated clothes airers.

What's the best heating system for the future? ›

What are the heating systems of the future?
  • Large subsidies for heating systems of the future using renewable energies.
  • Heat pumps.
  • Air-to-water heat pump.
  • Brine-to-water heat pump.
  • Water-to-water heat pump.
  • Solar thermal.
  • Pellet heating.
  • Fuel cells.
May 20, 2022

What is the lowest cost to heat house? ›

The cheapest way to heat a home is with a natural gas furnace, which typically costs $30 to $60 per month to operate. If natural gas is not available, the next cheapest way to heat a house is with an electric heat pump, with monthly running costs between $40 to $160. *For an average 4- to 6-month winter season.

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