Wiktor Wise
Electric heaters are a convenient way to heat your home, especially during the cold winter months. However, they have long been considered an expensive option, with electricity costing more than gas. But are electric heaters still expensive to run? There are several factors to consider, including the type of heater, its wattage, and the price of electricity in your area. For example, halogen heaters are one of the most inexpensive types of electric heaters due to their lower power output, while convection heaters are more expensive to run because they take longer to heat a room. Additionally, using an electric heater to target a specific area can be more cost-effective than heating your entire home. Understanding the power consumption of electric heaters and how to use them efficiently can help you make informed decisions about your energy usage and keep costs down.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost | Electric heaters are generally considered to be expensive to run, especially when compared to gas heaters. |
| Power consumption | Electric heaters use around 1,500 watts of electricity, with some using 2,000 watts or 3,000 watts per hour. |
| Electricity prices | The cost of electricity varies by region and provider, with off-peak tariffs also affecting costs. |
| Usage habits | Using electric heaters for long periods or at high temperatures increases costs. |
| Building location | External conditions, such as extreme weather and sea level, affect how long a heater needs to be on. |
| Type of heater | Halogen heaters are cheaper to run due to lower power output. |
| Thermostat | Setting the thermostat to lower temperatures in unoccupied rooms reduces costs. |
| Timers | Using timers to control how long a heater stays on can save money. |
| Efficiency | Electric heaters are 100% energy efficient, with no heat lost through pipework. |
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What You'll Learn
Halogen heaters are the cheapest to run
Electric heaters are generally considered to be an expensive option for heating your home, as electricity costs more than gas. However, halogen heaters are the cheapest type of electric heater to run.
Halogen heaters are one of the most inexpensive types of electric heater due to their lower power output, typically averaging 1200W. This means that they are perfect for providing instant heat at close quarters, and you shouldn't need to leave them on for long periods of time. Their radiant heat means they 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 evenly.
Fan heaters, for example, are typically available with a power output of 2000W and are often used to quickly and efficiently warm up a room. Oil-filled radiators, on the other hand, are also efficient at retaining heat, but they have a higher average wattage of 1500W.
The cost of running an electric heater depends on several factors, including the type of heater, its energy efficiency, electricity rates, and how often you use it. The size of the room, insulation, and location of your home can also play a part in how much your electric heater will cost to run.
If you are looking to heat your entire home with electricity, convection heaters are recommended.
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Electric heaters are more expensive than gas
Electric heaters are generally considered more expensive to run than gas heaters, as electricity costs more than gas. The cost of running an electric heater depends on its power consumption, electricity prices, and usage habits. The wattage of the heater and the price of electricity in a particular area are the two main factors that impact the cost of running an electric heater. Most electric heaters use 1500 watts of electricity, and a higher wattage will result in a higher running cost.
The location of a home can also impact the cost of running an electric heater. Homes in higher altitudes or exposed to harsh weather and coastal winds are naturally colder and take longer to heat, resulting in higher costs. The type of house also matters, as terraced properties benefit from shared heat between houses, while detached houses lose heat more easily.
While electric heaters may be more expensive to run, they offer advantages that may justify the costs. Electric heaters are 100% energy efficient, as they convert all the electricity they use into heat, and there is no heat loss through pipework. They provide consistent heat distribution, maintaining a comfortable environment without frequent adjustments.
To reduce the running costs of electric heaters, it is recommended to use them intermittently for quick bursts of heat in specific rooms rather than for extended periods. Utilizing a thermostat, timers, and off-peak electricity tariffs can also help minimize costs.
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Running costs depend on wattage and electricity prices
Electric heaters are generally considered more expensive to run than gas heaters because electricity costs more than gas. However, electric heaters are 100% energy efficient, as they convert all the electricity they use into heat. They also provide consistent heat distribution, maintaining a comfortable environment and reducing the need to adjust settings frequently.
The running costs of electric heaters depend on several factors, including wattage, electricity prices, usage time, and temperature settings. Wattage is a measurement of how powerful the heater is, and a higher wattage will cost more to run. For example, a 1500W electric heater used for eight hours a day costs approximately £3 per day. The price of electricity also varies by region, with homes in colder climates or at higher altitudes incurring higher costs to heat.
Additionally, usage time and temperature settings impact energy consumption. Using electric heaters for extended periods or setting high temperatures will increase energy consumption and costs. It is recommended to set the operating time and temperature according to actual needs to avoid waste. For instance, using an electric heater for a quick burst of heat in a single room can be more cost-effective than firing up central heating for the entire house.
To estimate the running cost of an electric heater, you can use the formula: (Electric heater power (kW) x number of hours of use) x electricity price (p/kWh) = Electric heater daily cost. By understanding this equation, you can calculate the expected costs of different heaters and make informed decisions about your heating choices.
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Electric heaters are 100% energy efficient
Electric heaters are considered to be an expensive option for heating homes due to the higher cost of electricity compared to gas. However, electric heaters are 100% energy efficient as they do not produce any waste heat. When fuel is burned to produce heat, such as in a gas boiler or oil-fired boiler, some energy is lost as waste heat due to the imperfect combustion process. In contrast, when electricity is used to generate heat, there are no waste products, and all the energy is converted into heat. This makes electric heating more efficient than other forms, such as gas boilers, which are typically around 90% efficient, and oil-fired boilers, which are around 80% efficient.
The 100% efficiency of electric heaters means that all the energy you use goes towards heating your home. Additionally, electric heating offers consistent heat distribution, providing a steady temperature that doesn't fluctuate, reducing the need to frequently adjust settings. This consistency further contributes to energy efficiency.
It's important to note that the overall efficiency of electric heating considers the process of converting fuel to electricity and then to heat. The electricity used in heaters is often generated from burning coal or gas at power plants with approximately 30% efficiency. So, while electric heaters themselves are 100% efficient, the overall efficiency is lower when considering the initial fuel-to-electricity conversion.
The wattage of an electric heater and the price of electricity in your area are the two main factors that influence the cost of running an electric heater. Additionally, the size of the room, insulation, and house location can impact the running costs. For example, detached houses tend to be costlier to heat than terraced properties due to the lack of shared warmth between adjacent homes.
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Location and temperature settings affect costs
The location of your home can play a big part in how much your electric heater will cost you. If your property is exposed to extreme weather and the elements, your costs could be higher. Homes at a higher altitude or exposed to coastal winds are naturally colder than those in lower, warmer climates, so they take longer to heat. For example, terraced properties benefit from the passing of heat between houses, while detached houses are exposed at every angle, making it harder for the home to stay warm.
The size of the room your heater is located in will also determine how expensive it is to warm up the room. If you have a smaller room with a weaker electric heater, it may take longer for the room to get warm enough.
The temperature setting of your heater will also impact the cost. The US Department of Energy recommends US households set their winter home temperature at around 68°F during the daytime and a few degrees lower at night or when the home is unoccupied to save on energy costs. According to the Carbon Trust, your heating cost will rise by 8% for every 1 degree the thermostat setting is increased above 19°C.
Electric heaters are a great way to warm the air in your home or business, but they can be expensive to run if they’re not energy efficient. The wattage of the heater is a key factor in determining the cost of running an electric heater. Most electric heaters use 1,500 watts of electricity, and a heater with a higher wattage will cost more to run.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric heaters are generally considered more expensive to run than gas heaters because electricity costs more than gas. However, electric heaters are 100% energy efficient and there are ways to reduce the costs of running an electric heater.
The two main factors that impact how expensive a heater is to run are the heater’s wattage and the price of electricity in your area. You can use a formula to calculate the running cost of an electric heater: (Electric heater power (kW) x number of hours of use) x electricity price (p/kWh) = Electric heater daily cost (p).
Halogen heaters are one of the most inexpensive types of electric heaters because they provide instant heat at close quarters, so you don't need to leave them on for long periods of time. Oil-filled heaters are also very energy-efficient and provide long-lasting heat.
The US Department of Energy recommends US households set their winter home temperature at around 68°F during the daytime and a few degrees lower while sleeping or when leaving the home. Heating only the room you are in instead of your entire home can also save you money.
