Electric Heater Running Cost Calculator
It's easy to underestimate how quickly an electric heater's running cost adds up over a week of regular use. Enter your heater's wattage, how many hours a day you run it, and your electricity rate below for a cost estimate.
Estimate your electric heater running cost
Enter your heater's wattage, how long you run it, and your electricity rate.
Using 8.00 kWh/day, this heater costs approximately:
£15.12 per week
That's around £64.80 per month at this usage level.
Recommended products
A few well-reviewed electric heaters.
£29.99
Pros
- 3 heat settings plus fan-only mode
- Built-in overheat and tip-over protection
- Strong review volume (2.7k ratings, 4.6★)
Cons
- No oscillation on this model
- Runs loud at max setting
£83.83
Pros
- Oil-free Thermocore tech for faster warm-up
- Adjustable thermostat with 3 heat settings
- Castors for portability, overheat/safety shut-off
Cons
- Slower to warm a room than a fan heater
- Lower review count than other picks
£129.99
Pros
- Well-established premium oil-filled radiator line
- Enhanced chimney-effect heating, anti-frost thermostat
- Castors for mobility
Cons
- Heavier than column radiators without oil fill
- Stock can run low — check availability before buying
Frequently asked questions
Are electric heaters expensive to run?
Electric heaters convert nearly all their electricity directly into heat, so running costs scale directly with wattage and hours used — a 2kW heater running for several hours a day adds up quickly compared with central heating covering the same space more efficiently.
Is it cheaper to heat one room with an electric heater than the whole house with central heating?
It can be, if you genuinely only need to heat a single occupied room for a short period, since you avoid heating empty rooms. But running an electric heater for many hours a day is often more expensive per unit of heat than gas central heating, so it works best for occasional, targeted use.
Do all electric heaters use the same amount of electricity for the same wattage?
Yes — a 2000W heater uses 2000W of electricity regardless of the heating technology (fan, oil-filled, ceramic, halogen), since wattage is a direct measure of electrical input. What differs between types is how evenly and how long that heat is retained in the room.
Does a thermostat on an electric heater reduce running costs?
Yes — a heater with a thermostat cycles off once the room reaches the set temperature rather than running continuously at full power, which can meaningfully reduce the average hourly cost compared with a heater running flat out the whole time.