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How much does it cost to run an electric heater?

Worked from the current price cap, with the sum on the page.

At the current price cap rate of 26.11p per kWh, a typical electric heater costs about £1.57 per hour, which is £570.24 a year on the usage below.

Where that number comes from

2,000 Wtypical power, range 1,000 to 3,000
3 hper hour
7hours a week, assumed
26.11pper kWh, cap average

Across the range of powers for this appliance class, one hour costs between 78.3p and £2.35. Your own figure is on the rating plate, usually on the back or inside the door, and it is the only one that is true for you.

Every electric heater is essentially 100 per cent efficient, so a 2kW fan heater and a 2kW oil filled radiator cost the same to run. Claims otherwise are marketing.

What does it cost to run?

Change any of these. The rate is the current price cap average, but yours is on your bill and is the one that matters.

per use
per week
per year

Energy figures are worked from the Ofgem price cap on the date shown and from typical power for the appliance class, not from a named model. Your own rate and your own rating plate are the ones that count. Full disclaimer.