Electric heater Electricity Cost
Find out how much an electric heater costs to run per hour, day and month — useful for heating a single room or a home office.
Electric heater running cost calculator
Example: 1,500 W. Example for an oil-filled or panel heater. Thermostats switch heaters on and off, so actual average draw is often lower than the rating.
e.g. 0.25 = 15 min
0 to 7
Example rate — enter your own tariff.
Estimated cost to run your electric heater
£1.50per day used
Uses 6 kWh on each day it's used (1,500 W × 4 h).
How it works: cost = power (kW) × hours used × price per kWh. Standing charges aren't included because you pay them whether or not the appliance is on.
Estimates only. Real consumption depends on the model, settings and how the appliance is used.
How electric heater electricity use is measured
Electric heaters convert electricity directly into heat. Their power rating tells you the maximum they draw. With a thermostat, a heater cycles on and off once the room is warm, so real-world use depends on the room, insulation and outside temperature.
How to calculate your electric heater running cost
Cost = power (kW) × hours used × price per kWh
Example only: at 1,500 W for 4 hours, a electric heater would use about 6 kWh, costing around £1.50 at 25p per kWh. Used 7 days a week, that's roughly 2,190 kWh and £547.50 a year. Your own figures may be quite different.
Why actual usage varies
- Power setting — many heaters have low and high settings.
- Thermostat — once the room is warm, the heater runs less often.
- Room size and insulation — draughty rooms need more heat.
- Outside temperature.
Ways to reduce the cost
- Heat only the room you're using.
- Use the thermostat and a timer.
- Close doors and curtains to keep heat in.
- Choose the lower setting once the room is warm.
To include all your household use, try the electricity cost calculator, or price any other device with the appliance electricity cost calculator.