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In this guide, we’ll look at the most energy-efficient way to heat your home by comparing electric heaters to find out which type of heater is cheapest to run. We take a look at the estimated hourly, nightly, and monthly running costs of six different room heaters.
With energy prices skyrocketing across the globe – and the average energy bill forecast to spike by a further 48% in the UK – many households are looking for more energy-efficient ways to keep their home warm in the winter.
Scores of people are already reporting mould, damp, and excess condensation in their homes due to a reluctance to switch on their central heating and incur additional charges on already high energy bills. Alternatives many people are trying to stay warm without a hike in bills include:
- Layering up
- Turning their thermostat down to 18 degrees when the heating does come on
- Limiting central heating to just an hour or two each day
- Using space heaters instead to concentrate heat in the most used rooms
Space heaters are a popular alternative to central heating because they enable you to heat up the one room you really need to be warm. You can therefore avoid a massive spike in your energy bills by keeping the rest of your room cool and focusing on heating where you need it.
However, which type of heater is cheapest to run? There are six main types of heaters to choose from, each offering its own pros and cons. Here, we’ve analyzed the hourly, nightly, and monthly costs to run each type of heater to see which heater is the cheapest way to heat your home.
Heaters reviewed:
How we calculated the cost to run your heater
We’ve calculated these costs based on the average cost of electricity. As of October 2022, this was £0.34 per kWh for electricity. We’ve also included a predicted cost to run these heaters based on the forecast cost of electricity in January 2023 (a rise to £0.66 per hour, although due to the government’s energy price cap we might not actually see bills rise that high).
Electricity costs are measured in kilowatts per hour, so note that if your heater is a different wattage than what’s listed below, you may be paying more and less.
These costs should provide a good estimate of which type of heater is the cheapest to run over the colder months, however.
Which Type of Heater is Cheapest to Run? 6 Most Popular Heaters Reviewed
1. Oil-Filled Radiators
Ideal for: small spaces
An oil-filled heater uses oil as a heat transfer fluid. The oil is circulated through a heating element, and the heat from the element is then transferred to the surrounding air. This makes for a very efficient way to heat a small space, as the heat transfer occurs quickly and there is little wasted heat. Oil-filled heaters are also relatively safe to use, as they do not produce any open flames.
Oil-filled radiators are often billed as being more energy efficient than other types of space heaters. One advantage of this type of radiator is that it can take longer to cool down once it has been turned off, which means that you can enjoy the benefits of the heat for a longer period of time.
Many oil-filled radiators also come with thermostatic controls, which means you can control the temperature they omit – making them a very energy-efficient option for longer use. However, oil-filled radiators can be quite expensive to purchase, and they may not be the most energy-efficient option if you only need to use them for a short period of time.
The average wattage for an oil-filled radiator varies depending on the size you opt for, but the average wattage for this type of heater is 1500W.
De’Longhi Dragon Oil Filled Radiator
- 2 kW heat output and three heat settings
- Rated voltage/Frequency (V~Hz): 230~50
- Elegant design in a white finish
- Pre-assembled easy wheels and carry handle
- Thermostat and anti-frost device with 24 hr mechanical timer
- Dimensions (wxdxh cm): 44.0×16.0x65.0
Oil-filled radiators running cost: £0.51 per hour
- Average Wattage: 1500W
- Average cost per hour: £0.51
- Nightly cost: £4.08
- Monthly (assuming running for 8 hours per day): £122.40
Based on the energy bill increase forecast for 2023, the cost to run an oil-filled heater is expected to rise to £0.99 an hour.
2. Convector Heaters
Ideal for: Warming small to medium-sized rooms
A convector heater is a type of space heater that uses convection to circulate warm air throughout a room. Convection is the process by which the movement of fluids or gases transfers heat. In a convection heater, a fan circulates warm air around the room, causing it to rise and creating a convection current.
As the warm air rises, it draws in cooler air from the floor, causing the air to circulate continuously. This circulation of air helps to evenly distribute the heat, making it more efficient than other types of space heaters.
Additionally, convector heaters are usually equipped with a thermostat, so that you can set the desired temperature and let the heater do its job. This means that convection heaters can also be much more energy-efficient than they first appear with the high wattage.
The average wattage for a convector heater is between 1500 – 2000W. For the purpose of this article, we’ve assumed the wattage to be 2000W.
De’Longhi Digital 1500W Convection Panel Heater
- Automatic tip-over “off” switch and thermal shut-off that prevents overheating
- Wall-mount feature gives you the option of Hanging it
- Hi-Fi dual fan system
Convector heaters cost to run – £0.68 per hour
- Average wattage: 2000W
- Average cost per hour: £0.68
- Nightly cost: £5.44
- Monthly (assuming running for 8 hours per day): £163.20
Based on the energy bill increase forecast for 2023, the cost to run a convector heater is expected to rise to £1.32 an hour.
3. Halogen Heaters
Ideal for: A quick blast of heat, but not necessarily for heating an entire room
A halogen heater is a type of electric heater that uses halogen gas to produce heat. When an electrical current is passed through the gas, it produces infrared radiation, which is then absorbed by surfaces in the room, causing them to heat up.
Halogen heaters are more efficient than traditional electric heaters, as they can target specific areas rather than heating the entire room. Additionally, they provide a more even and consistent level of heat, making them ideal for use in rooms that are difficult to heat evenly. While they are more expensive than other types of electric heaters, halogen heaters can provide a more comfortable and efficient way to heat your home once you’ve made that initial investment.
The average halogen heater has a wattage of around 1200W.
Oscillating Halogen Compact Quarts Heater
- 2-heat setting system
- Safety cut-off feature and a thermo-fuse cut-off
- Designed to rotate up to 75°
- Built-in integral carry handle for easy lifting
- Easy to operate
Halogen heaters cost to run – £0.40 per hour
- Average cost:
- Average wattage: 1200W
- Average cost per hour: £0.40
- Nightly cost: £3.26
- Monthly (assuming running for 8 hours per day): £97.92
Based on the energy bill increase forecast for 2023, the cost to run a halogen heater is expected to rise to £0.79 an hour.
4. Fan Heaters
Ideal for: Heating a small room quickly
Fan heaters are a popular choice for many homes and office spaces because they are relatively inexpensive to purchase and operate. But how do they work? Essentially, fan heaters work by using electricity to convert stored energy into heat. The heat is then distributed evenly throughout the room by a fan.
One advantage of fan heaters is that they can be very energy efficient, as they only need to run for a short period of time to achieve the desired temperature. However, it is important to note that fan heaters can be quite noisy, so if you are looking for a quiet option, this may not be the best choice for you. Additionally, fan heaters can often dry out the air in a room, so it is important to use a humidifier if you are going to be using one of these heaters on a regular basis.
The average wattage for a standard fan heater is around 1500w.
- Built-in overheat protection and an upgraded anti-tilt switch
- 6-Mode Setting, Fan, 750W Low Heat(131℉/55℃), 1500W High Heat(158℉/70℃), Fan Oscillating, Low Heat Oscillating and High Heat Oscillating
- Exclusive trackball system
- Noise is less than 45dB
Fan heaters cost to run – £0.51 per hour
- Average cost:
- Average wattage: 1500W
- Average cost per hour: £0.51
- Nightly cost: £4.08
- Monthly (assuming running for 8 hours per day): £122.40
Based on the energy bill increase forecast for 2023, the cost to run a fan heater is expected to rise to £0.99 an hour.
5. Infrared heaters
Ideal for: heating small areas
If you’re looking for a way to heat your home that is both safe and energy efficient, an infrared heater may be the perfect solution. Infrared heaters work by heating objects in the room, rather than the air itself. This makes them much more effective at warming a space than traditional convection heaters. In addition, infrared heaters are completely safe to use, as they do not emit any harmful chemicals or gases.
Best of all, they are very efficient, using less energy than other types of heaters to produce the same amount of heat. The average wattage of an infrared heater is 1500W.
LifeSmart Medium Room Infrared Heater
- 32.51 x 19.05 x 31.5 cm
- Lifetime washable air filter
- 3 energy savings settings
- Lightweight heater
- Digital Thermostat
Infrared heaters cost to run – £0.51 per hour
- Average cost:
- Average wattage: 1500W
- Average cost per hour: £0.51
- Nightly cost: £4.08
- Monthly (assuming running for 8 hours per day): £122.40
Based on the energy bill increase forecast for 2023, the cost to run an infrared heater is expected to rise to £0.99 an hour.
6. Ceramic Heaters
Ideal for: A cheap initial upfront cost
Ceramic heaters are a type of electric heater that uses ceramic elements to generate heat. They are typically small and compact, making them a good choice for personal use or for heating small spaces. One of the main advantages of ceramic heaters is that they are very energy-efficient, meaning they can save you money on your energy bills.
They are also safe to use, as they do not produce any harmful fumes or emit dangerous radiation. However, one downside of ceramic heaters is that they can take a while to heat up, so they may not be suitable for use in large spaces. Overall, ceramic heaters are a great option if you’re looking for an efficient and safe way to stay warm this winter.
Most ceramic heaters vary between 1200 – 2000w, we’ll say 1600w for the purpose of this article.
- 2 different heating settings
- A fan-only mode
- Automatic overheat protection for added safety
- Tip-over safety switch
Ceramic heaters cost to run – £0.54 per hour
- Average cost:
- Average wattage: 1600W
- Average cost per hour: £0.54
- Nightly cost: £4.35
- Monthly (assuming running for 8 hours per day): £130.56
Based on the energy bill increase forecast for 2023, the cost to run a ceramic heater is expected to rise to £1.05 an hour.
Heater Type | Wattage | Cost per Hour (Oct 22) | Cost per hour (Jan 2023 Prediction) | Nightly cost (running for 8 hours) | Monthly cost (8 hours a day) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oil filled heater | 1500 | £0.51 | £0.99 | £4.08 | £122.40 |
Halogen Heaters | 1200 | £0.40 | £0.79 | £3.26 | £97.92 |
Fan heater | 1500 | £0.51 | £0.99 | £4.08 | £122.40 |
Infrared heater | 1500 | £0.51 | £0.99 | £4.08 | £122.40 |
Ceramic heater | 1600 | £0.544 | £1.05 | £4.35 | £130.56 |
Convection heater | 2000 | £0.68 | £1.32 | £5.44 | £163.20 |
What’s the cheapest heater to run?
From the above results, we can conclude that halogen heaters are the most efficient to run based on the wattage estimated for a standard halogen heater. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that if you have another type of heater, such as a convector heater or oil-filled heater, that comes with thermostatic controls, you’ll likely be paying a lot less than the estimates above if you turn the temperature of your heater down.
Ultimately, your electric heater will be more expensive to run the longer you have it on. If you have it on for eight hours plus a day, you’ll be adding at least £100 to your energy bill each month.
What is the cheapest way to heat a room?
Using an electric heater from the list above is almost always going to be the most cost-effective way to heat a room quickly, so knowing which type of heat is cheapest to run is going to be a good start. However, the cheapest way to keep warm in your home is to focus on heating yourself with extra layers, hot water bottles, slippers, and blankets. If that fails, a heater will give you that added blast of heat.