Are Electric Heaters Expensive to Run?

Electric heaters are a common way of heating most homes, especially during the colder months. However, a common question arises: are electric heaters expensive to use?  

Electric heaters are often considered more costly for heating a home, as electricity costs more than gas. However, the cost of running an electric heater in the UK is a question that considers power consumption, electricity prices and usage habits. In this article, you'll find out if your heater is expensive to run and what you can do to reduce its cost.         

Besides, we highly recommend Jackery Portable Power Station for charging electric heaters and other heating appliances in winter, which can help you save on your home's electric bills.  

How Much Electricity Do Electric Heaters Use? 

In the UK, understanding the power consumption of electric heaters can help home users better understand their electricity usage and make reasonable energy use decisions. The power consumption of electric heaters mainly depends on their power and usage time.

Therefore, the power consumption of electric heaters can be calculated by the following formula:

Power consumption (kWh) = power (W) × usage time (hour) / 1000

For example, if a British family uses a 1500-watt electric heater for 5 hours daily, its daily power consumption is 7.5kWh.

= 1500 watts × 5hours/1000 = 7.5kWh

If the family uses the electric heater 30 days a month, the total monthly power consumption is 225kWh.

7.5kWh/day × 30 days = 225kWh

Different Types of Electric Heaters and Their Power Consumption

Different types of electric heaters have different power and power consumption. The following is a detailed introduction to the three common types of electric heaters on the UK market: fan heaters, convector heaters, and oil-filled radiators, as well as their power consumption analysis.

Fan Heaters

Fan Heaters are suitable for local heating or temporary use. When using them, it is recommended that you close the doors of other rooms and concentrate on heating one area. Typical fan heaters have a power range of 800 watts to 2000 watts.

Convector Heaters

Many convector heaters have intelligent temperature control, making them suitable for long-term use to maintain the room's overall warmth. They generally have a power range of 500 watts to 2500 watts.

Oil Filled Radiators

Oil-filled radiators have a much better heat retention effect than other room heaters. (The radiator will dissipate heat briefly after turning off.) Therefore, Oil-Filled Radiators are suitable for keeping the room warm for a long time. The power range of oil-filled radiators is generally between 600 and 3000 watts.

The data in the table are estimates and are for reference only.

Are Electric Heaters Expensive to Run? 

With the arrival of winter, electric heaters have become an indispensable heating device for many British families. However, the cost of using electric heaters has always been the focus of consumers, which mainly depends on their power consumption and the current electricity price. This article will analyze the cost structure of using electric heaters in the UK to help consumers better understand and plan their winter heating budgets.

How Do You Calculate the Running Cost of Electric Heaters?

Although we cannot predict the exact cost of running an electric heater (because the running cost of electric heaters is usually affected by several factors), you can use the formula to estimate the running cost of electric heating:

(Electric heater power (kW) x number of hours of use) x electricity price (p/kWh) = Electric heater daily cost (p)

According to the above formula, you need to know the following data to calculate the running cost of electric heaters:

• Electric heater power

• Electricity price per kWh

• Number of hours of use

According to the UK energy price cap from January to March 2025, it can be known that the electricity price is 24.86 pence per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Please note that this data applies to England, Scotland and Wales.

For example, how much does running a 1500W electric heater for 8 hours a day cost?

1500W / 1000 = 1.5kW

(1.5kW x 8 hours) x 24.86p/kWh = 298.32p

298.32p ≈ £3

Therefore, using a 1500W electric heater for one day (8 hours) is about £3.

In summary, this formula can be applied to different scenarios to calculate the estimated running cost of an electric heater.

Running Cost of Electric Heaters with Different Power Consumption

The following table lists the running costs of electric heaters of varying power and different usage times:

The above data is an estimate based on the average electricity cost of 24.86p/kWh from January to March 2025. It is important to note that the actual running cost of an electric heater may vary depending on local electricity costs.

Running Costs of Electric Heaters at Different Electricity Prices

Electric heaters' operation depends on electricity supply, so an increase in electricity prices directly increases their running costs. Electricity prices vary in different regions of the UK. The following will show the running costs of a 1000W electric heater (running eight hours a day) under different electricity prices:

This table shows the unit electricity rate data for various regions in the UK from January 1 to March 31, 2025, from Ofgem. The running costs of electric heaters in the table are all estimated values and are for reference only.

What Affects the Cost of Running an Electric Heater?

In the UK, various complex factors affect electric heaters' running costs. In addition to electricity prices and electricity consumption, several other main factors indirectly affect the running cost of electric heaters:

Usage Habits

Electric heaters' operating time and temperature settings directly affect their energy consumption. Using electric heaters for a long time or setting too high a temperature will increase energy consumption and running costs. Consumers should reasonably set the operating time and temperature of electric heaters according to actual needs to avoid unnecessary waste.

If users can use electric heaters during off-peak hours, they can effectively reduce running costs.

Ambient Temperature

The lower the ambient temperature, the more energy the electric heater consumes to maintain the indoor temperature. Therefore, in cold winters, the running cost of electric heaters will be relatively high. Consumers can consider taking auxiliary warming measures in winter, such as adding clothes or using heavy curtains, to reduce electric heaters' operating time and energy consumption.

Building Insulation Performance

Another critical factor affecting the running cost of electric heaters is the house's insulation performance. The better the insulation of the walls, doors, and windows, the less heat the electric heater needs to provide, reducing electricity consumption. Conversely, houses with poor insulation require electric heaters to run long to maintain the indoor temperature, increasing running costs.

In addition, the British government has implemented a series of energy-saving and emission-reduction policies in recent years to encourage residents to improve the insulation performance of their homes, such as installing double-glazed windows and adding wall insulation materials.

Maintenance of Electric Heaters

Electric heaters' maintenance and service life also affect their running costs. If not cleaned or maintained regularly, they may develop problems such as reduced energy efficiency, which can increase running costs.

How to Reduce the Running Cost of Electric Heaters?

There are some simple but effective ways to significantly reduce the running costs of your electric heater while maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature. Here are some practical tips for reducing the running costs of your electric heater in the UK.

Tip 1: Reasonable Setting and Use of Electric Heater

Try to avoid using the electric heater continuously for long periods. Instead, use its timing function and turn it on only when needed. For example, when you are away from home or sleeping, you can turn off the heater to save energy.

In addition, installing a smart meter can help you better understand your electricity usage and adjust the usage time of the electric heater.

Tip 2: Choose Energy-Efficient Electric Heaters

When buying electric heaters, prioritize products with high energy efficiency ratings. In addition, electric heaters with intelligent temperature control systems can automatically adjust the temperature to avoid unnecessary energy waste.

Tip 3: Take Advantage of Favourable Electricity Prices

Using electric heaters during off-peak hours when electricity prices are lower can significantly reduce running costs. For example, electricity prices are usually lower at night, so you can use the timer function of your electric heater to heat at night.

Beyond that, learn about and take advantage of the energy-saving grants and schemes the UK government offers. For example, the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme, launched by the British government, provides free energy-saving renovation measures to low-income households and vulnerable groups, including installing energy-efficient electric heaters.

Tip 4: Insulate Your Home

Ensure windows and doors are well sealed to reduce heat loss. Also, avoid placing large pieces of furniture near electric heaters to keep the hot air circulating.

Tip 5: Regular Maintenance of Electric Heaters

Please clean the electric heater's heat sink and filter regularly. It will affect the heater's heat dissipation effect and increase electricity consumption.

In addition, check the heater's power cord and plug to ensure they are not damaged or loose. A damaged power cord may increase the heater's power consumption or cause safety hazards.

Tip 6: Combined with Other Heating Methods

Other heating methods, such as solar and geothermal, can be combined when conditions permit. These renewable energy heating methods can reduce the frequency of electric heater use and dependence on traditional energy.

Tip 7: Other Ways to Power Your Electric Heater

Utility electricity costs are higher for most people. In addition to mains electricity, there are several ways to power an electric heater.

• Solar panels

• Wind turbines

• Fuel generators

• Portable Power Station

As mentioned above, using a typical electric heater will cost about £3, a relatively high number considering the electric bills. So we recommend you try a solar generator or portable power station to power your heating appliances with solar energy.

Taking Jackery Portable Power Station and Jackery Solar Generator as an example, if you choose to use the solar generator to power your home appliances, you can save about 50.76 pence per day. If you use it for 10 days, you can save 5 pounds.

If you use a 1000W electric heater, it can support working for 2 hours. Moreover, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus and 1000 Plus have expandable capacities, expanding to 12 kWh, which can ensure an electric heater works for over 10 hours. You can recharge them with Jackery Solar Panels, wall sockets, carports, or other generators. 

Jackery Portable Power Stations Explained

Heating your home will cost a lot in the UK. So, how can you reduce your power consumption? We recommend trying solar energy products like portable power stations and solar generators. 

We recommend Jackery Portable Power Stations to charge your heating appliances and save on your electric bills. Jackery offers portable power solutions ranging from 99W to 12 kWh, capable of powering up to 99% of appliances, including electric heaters, portable space heaters, portable ACs, electric hand warmers, and electric blankets.      

Also, the Jackery Portable Power Stations are compact and easy to carry, so you can put them everywhere in your home. Compared to gas or other traditional generators, they are safer to use, and you can even use them while sleeping.

Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus

The Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus is powerful and expandable from 1264Wh to 5 kWh. Its durable LiFePO4 battery and a 2000W full-power pure sine wave inverter supply sufficient energy for practically all essential devices. Notably, its capacity may be augmented to 5kWh by including up to three more battery packs.

The MPPT technology ensures 99% solar charging efficiency. A wall charge from 0% to 100% of the battery requires 100 minutes, whereas solar charging with four SolarSaga 200W solar panels necessitates 2 hours. With car charging capabilities, concerns over power disruptions will be alleviated.

In about 60 seconds, one may seamlessly connect solar panels to the power station, a procedure significantly more straightforward and user-friendly than traditional generators. Furthermore, it features a pass-through charging capability, allowing for device use while concurrently recharging via solar energy.

Review from Our User:

I purchased this product and an extra battery pack a few weeks back and am pleased. The quality of the materials and finish is outstanding. I used it in my motorhome while in the lakes, powering my air fryer and other small appliances, and it handled everything perfectly. It even powered the entire van to recharge the leisure battery for an hour.

Working Hours for Using Explorer 1000 Plus (1.26-5 kWh):      

(*The working hours are only for reference; the actual working hours depend on your usage.)

Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus

Compared to the Explorer 1000 Plus, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus is more suitable for powering high-capacity electric heaters and other heating appliances with a 2 to 12 kWh battery capacity.

A typical electric heater may consume 1000W of electricity. An Explorer 2000 Plus can ensure it works for over 10 hours, especially during a power outage or peak hours, to save electric bills at home. It is expandable to 3000W, a 30% rated power increase above other 2 kWh models on the market. It powers practically all necessary tools and appliances.

The multiple recharging methods make it simple to power electric cookers. You can recharge it with six pieces of Jackery SolarSaga 200W solar panels for 2 hours on a sunny day, or you can recharge it by wall sockets (1.7 hours) and carport (25 hours).

Leading-edge quick charge technology from Jackery, Charge Shield offers 62 protective mechanisms, 12 protective algorithms, and four forms of physical safety protection. This technology improves safety and extends battery pack life by 50% by applying a unique stepped variable-speed charging technique.

Review from Our User:

I currently own a Jackery 500 along with two 100W Jackery solar panels, and I can confidently say that this company is exceptional. I needed a more powerful generator for my trips when I purchased my caravan. Jackery! I enjoy my 2000 Plus. It isn't very easy for me. I genuinely appreciate having both the handles and the wheels to transport my generator. My caravan batteries are charging and should be done in about 2 hours, with plenty of power available for other uses.      

Working Hours for Using Explorer 2000 Plus (2-12 kWh):      

(*The working hours are only for reference; the actual working hours depend on your usage.) 

Are Electric Heaters a Smart Choice for Your Home?

More and more families are considering using electric heaters as their primary heating source. However, when deciding whether to use electric heaters, people usually consider modern technology, convenience, and environmental benefits.

Flexibility of Use

Electric heaters are highly flexible. They can be turned on and off at any time and are suitable for heating different rooms and specific areas. Many electric heaters are also equipped with intelligent temperature control functions, which can be remotely controlled via a timer or mobile phone app.

Environmental Benefits

Electric heaters run on electricity rather than burning fossil fuels, producing fewer pollutants. Modern electric heaters' efficiency also ensures they use less energy to provide the same comfort level, supporting sustainable living.

Security

Modern electric heaters have significantly improved their safety design. Many have overheating protection and automatic power-off when tipping over, effectively reducing safety hazards during use. For example, electric film heaters use far-infrared heat delivery, which heats fast while reducing the risk of burns.

Limitation

Although electric heaters have many advantages, they also have some limitations.

First, electric heaters have relatively low heating efficiency, and it may take a long time to reach the ideal temperature, especially in large spaces or rooms with poor insulation.

Secondly, the stability of the power supply will affect the use of electric heaters. During energy crises, if the electricity supply is tight, power outages or restrictions may occur, affecting the regular use of electric heaters.

Finally, for some old houses or residences with limited power line capacity, the extensive use of electric heaters may cause circuit overload, posing specific safety hazards.

Based on the above analysis, whether using electric heaters in the UK is a wise choice for families depends on the situation. Electric heaters are undoubtedly an affordable and convenient choice for tiny homes, rental properties, or families with more flexible heating needs. However, for large houses or families with higher heating needs, other heating methods, such as geothermal heating, may be necessary to ensure effectiveness and stability.

FAQs

The following are the frequently asked questions about the running costs of electric heaters in the UK:

1. Do electric heaters use a lot of electricity?

In the UK, the electricity an electric heater uses depends on several factors, including the type of heater, how much it is, how often it is used, and how long it is used.

For example, a typical electric heater might be between 1000W and 2000W, which means it uses 1 to 2 kilowatt-hours (KWh) per hour.

If used for 8 hours daily, electricity consumption is 8 to 16 kWh.

For most people in the UK, 8 to 16 kWh per day is a lot for an electric heater.

2. How much does running an electric heater for 1 hour cost?

In the UK, the cost of running an electric heater varies depending on several factors, including its size, how often it is used, and the price of electricity.

If you run a 1.5 kW electric heater for one hour, it consumes about 1.5 kWh of electricity and costs:

1.5 kWh * 24.86 pence/kWh = 37.29 pence ≈ £0.38

The electricity rate per kWh is based on the UK energy price cap for 2025 (January to March).

So, running a 1.5 kW electric heater for one hour costs about £0.38 in the UK. However, the actual cost may vary depending on fluctuations in electricity prices and the power of the electric heater.

3. Are electric heaters more energy-efficient?

Electric heaters are more energy-efficient to a certain extent. They convert almost all electricity into heat and have precise temperature control, making them an affordable and energy-efficient choice for home heating.

Final Thoughts

In general, using electric heaters in the UK has certain advantages regarding flexibility and environmental protection, but there are also some limitations. For example, although electric heaters provide the necessary heating, they also significantly increase electricity bills. Therefore, when choosing a heating method, you should consider your own needs, housing conditions, and economic conditions to make the most suitable choice for yourself.