Molly Ayala
Portable electric heaters are a great way to boost the temperature in a small, drafty room. They are designed to save you money by heating specific rooms, rather than your entire home. However, they can be expensive to run if used for long periods, as electricity is often more expensive than gas. The cost of running a portable electric heater depends on its size, wattage, and your local electricity rates. Halogen heaters are one of the most inexpensive types of electric heaters, as they provide instant heat and don't need to be left on for long periods.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost-effectiveness | Using a portable electric heater can be a good way to boost the temperature in a small, drafty room and it could be less expensive than using central heating. |
| Using a portable electric heater is economical only if used judiciously as electricity is pricier than natural gas. | |
| The cost to run a portable electric heater depends on the type of heater, its size, wattage, and the electricity rates in your state or municipality. | |
| Halogen heaters are one of the most inexpensive types of electric heaters as they provide instant heat at close quarters. | |
| Convector heaters are ideal for warming up small to medium-sized rooms with even heat distribution but they usually take longer to heat up the room. | |
| Heat pumps are more energy-efficient than portable electric heaters as they use every watt more efficiently to produce heat. |
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What You'll Learn
Halogen heaters are the cheapest to run
The cost of running an electric heater depends on its size and power output. The power output of an electric heater is usually measured in watts or kilowatts. The higher the power output, the more expensive the heater will be to run.
Halogen heaters are the cheapest electric heaters to run due to their lower power output. They average around 1200W in terms of power output and provide instant heat at close quarters. This means that you won't need to leave them on for long periods of time, reducing running costs.
In contrast, convection heaters usually have a higher power output of around 2000W, making them more expensive to run. However, they heat rooms evenly and are ideal for warming up small to medium-sized rooms.
It's important to note that the cost of electricity varies depending on your region and energy plan. To calculate the running cost of an electric heater, you need to know the energy cost per kilowatt-hour and the heater's power output.
For example, if your electricity rate is 25 cents per kilowatt-hour and you have a 1500-watt heater, it will cost around $1.50 to run for an 8-hour workday.
Additionally, the upfront cost of the heater should be considered. More expensive heaters may not necessarily save you money in the long run. It's best to use electric heaters intermittently to heat a room, rather than as a substitute for central heating.
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Convector heaters are more expensive to run
Electric heaters are a good way to boost the temperature in a small, drafty room and can be less expensive than central heating systems. However, they are not a workaround for high utility bills. They are only economical if used judiciously, as electricity is pricier than natural gas.
Convector heaters are a versatile addition to any household. They are ideal for warming up small to medium-sized rooms with even heat distribution. They 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, travels along the heating element, and exits at the top when warmed.
Convector heaters are typically around 2000W in power output, which does make them more expensive to run. For example, using the price cap rate of 34p per kWh, a 2kW convector heater costs 68p to run for an hour. Eight hours of usage will cost about £5.44. If you have nine heaters on for eight hours a day, that's £43.52 a day or £435 for 10 days.
To minimise heat loss and running costs, opt for an eco convection heater with features like open window detection and adaptive start. Convector heaters are not designed to be a main heat source because the type of heat they produce is prone to heat loss. They are best used in spaces that are used infrequently or for short periods of time, such as a home office or guest room.
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Space heaters can save money by targeting specific rooms
Space heaters are a great way to save money on your utility bills. They are particularly effective if you only heat the room you're using, as heating costs in the US can push $2,000 for a single season.
Using a space heater in the rooms you occupy most and leaving the thermostat lower for a portion of the day can trim hundreds off your yearly spend. This is a particularly good practice for those who spend a chunk of the day in their home office or spend evenings in an enclosed living room, leaving the rest of the house mostly unoccupied.
Space heaters are economical only if you use them judiciously. In general, electricity is pricier than natural gas, so they should be used as supplemental heat, not as a substitute for a thermostat that warms your entire home. Many space heaters are claimed to heat only about 150 to 200 square feet. Most use 1,500 watts when on the highest heat setting, which costs about $2 per 8-hour day or over $50 a month based on the average cost of electricity nationally.
To save on heating bills, you can turn down the thermostat and use a space heater for local warmth. You can purchase a small personal heater as cheaply as $20, whereas a full-room heater can cost up to $300, depending on the model and heating capacity.
It's best to run a space heater only when you really need one, such as when you're warming a room you'll be in for a few hours at a time.
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Heat pumps are more efficient than portable heaters
Electric heaters are useful for providing quick and intense heat to small spaces, but they can be expensive to run if used for long periods. Heat pumps, on the other hand, are a more efficient and cost-effective solution for heating your home.
Let's take a closer look at the comparison between heat pumps and portable electric heaters in terms of efficiency and cost. Firstly, it's important to understand that electric heaters, regardless of their size, produce the same amount of heat as long as they have the same wattage. Most electric heaters have a maximum wattage of 1500 watts due to the electrical limitations of typical home circuits.
Now, let's compare this to a heat pump. A heat pump can produce the same amount of heat as multiple electric heaters while consuming significantly less energy. For example, to produce 12,000 Btu of heat, you would need about two and a half 1500-watt electric heaters, resulting in a monthly energy usage of 2,700 kilowatt-hours if used continuously. In contrast, a heat pump operating 24/7 to produce the same amount of heat would only require 648 kilowatt-hours of energy, reducing your electric consumption by up to three-quarters compared to using portable heaters.
The efficiency of heat pumps is further highlighted by their ability to provide both heating and cooling. While they are excellent for reducing winter electric bills, they can also efficiently cool your home in the summer, replacing traditional air conditioners that often require more energy. Additionally, heat pumps have different stages or settings, allowing you to adjust the wattage and heat output according to your needs, whether it's for a single room or the entire house.
In summary, heat pumps offer a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to portable electric heaters. They can drastically reduce your energy consumption and bills, especially when compared to running multiple electric heaters simultaneously. While there may be annual maintenance costs associated with heat pumps, their ability to provide both heating and cooling makes them a versatile and economical choice for homeowners.
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Electric heaters are more expensive to run than gas heaters
Electric heaters are not very energy-efficient because they require a lot of energy to heat a home. They are best used intermittently to heat a room, rather than as a replacement for central heating. The cost of running an electric heater can be reduced by using a heater with a lower power output, such as a halogen heater, and by using built-in thermostat controls and timers to regulate power output and how long the heater is on for.
In contrast, gas heaters work by burning fuel, and the price of natural gas is determined by supply and demand. Natural gas costs can be unpredictable due to geopolitical issues, supply, and refinery expansions. However, gas heating is less efficient than electric heating, with gas furnaces only 70%-90% energy efficient.
While the cost of heating your home will depend on several factors, including the cost of energy sources in your area, the efficiency of your heating system, and the amount of energy used, it is clear that gas heaters are cheaper to run than electric heaters.
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Frequently asked questions
The cost of running a portable electric heater depends on a few factors, such as the type of heater, its size, wattage, and how long you run it for. Generally, electricity is pricier than natural gas, so portable electric heaters can be expensive to run if used for long periods. Halogen heaters are one of the cheapest types of electric heaters to run due to their lower power output.
Using a portable electric heater efficiently can help you save money during the winter months. You can do this by only heating the room you are in, rather than using central heating to heat multiple rooms. You can also use blankets and sweaters to keep warm instead of turning on the heater.
The cost of running a portable electric heater depends on your local electricity rates. In the US, the average cost of electricity is 16 cents per kilowatt-hour, but this can vary depending on your electricity supplier. In the UK, the average cost is 27.03 pence per kilowatt-hour.
