What plug in heater uses the least electricity?

Author: Cheyanne Lakin Sr.  |  Last update: Saturday, October 18, 2025

A radiant type electric heater (with the reflector) can use less electricity because it heats the things in front of it, not the air around it. A person in front of a radiant heater will feel warm even if the surrounding air temperature is as low as 10 deg.

What type of plug in heater is cheapest to run?

Based off current energy prices, we can confirm that halogen heaters are officially the cheapest type of electric heater to run. But if you want to know more about how much it costs to run an electric heater, we've done the research and gathered expert advice so you can understand the running cost of each type.

What kind of heater uses the least amount of electricity?

If you want to save money on your heating costs, then an infrared heater is the best type of heater to choose. An infrared heater will use less electricity than any other type of heater, and so it will be cheaper to run. Not only that, but an infrared heater will also provide you with a more efficient form of heat.

Do plug-in heaters use a lot of electricity?

On average, space heaters use 1,500 watts of electricity.

Using a space heater 8 hours per day will use about 84 kilowatt-hours of electricity per week. It costs an average of $51.65 to run a space heater for a month and $258.26 to run for a year.

Which heating system uses the least electricity?

Choosing a low-energy consumption heating system for your home. Here are some of the most commonly used low-consumption heating systems today: heat pumps, both geothermal and air source; pellet stoves and boilers; low-consumption electric radiators; and condensing boilers.

What's the most efficient type of electric heater?

What type of heater is the cheapest to run?

Generally speaking, Halogen heaters are one of the most inexpensive types of electric heater. They average around 1200W in terms of power output and because they provide instant-heat at close quarters, you shouldn't need to leave them on for long periods of time.

What is the cheapest way to heat with electricity?

Heat pump running cost

Depending on your regional utility rates, an electric heat pump costs $0.20 to $0.50 per hour to run. Homeowners use heat pumps for both heating and cooling, providing year-round comfort. They are popular in moderate climates and regions with milder winters.

Is it worth buying a plug in heater?

Electric heaters may be essential if you live in one of the four million or so households in the UK that don't use mains gas heating and are a good solution if you're just looking to heat one room, or only need to heat in short, sharp bursts. Your heater's power will be measured in kilowatts (kW).

How much does it cost to run a 1500 watt heater for 24 hours?

Example (you can use an electric heater running cost calculator below for different wattages/kWh prices): If we assume the price of electricity is $0.1319 per kWh, a 1,500-watt electric space heater will cost; $0.20 to run per hour. $4.80 to run per 24 hours (day). $11.20 to run per week (8h/day).

Is it bad to leave a plug in heater on all night?

Electric heaters of any type are unsafe to leave running overnight because they carry a significant amount of risk. If a space heater falls over or becomes too hot from running for too long of a period of time, that can lead to a fast-moving fire that occurs while you are asleep and cannot act fast enough.

Which heater saves the most electricity?

What type of space heater is most energy efficient? Both infrared and oil-filled heaters have the potential to be highly energy-efficient because they provide radiant heat rather than forced hot air.

What is the cheapest way to heat a room?

What's the cheapest way to heat your home?
  • Gas boiler.
  • Gas boiler and solar thermal panels.
  • Oil boiler.
  • Electric combi boiler.
  • Air source heat pump.
  • Biomass boiler.
  • Infrared heating panels.
  • Wood burner.

Are plug in ceramic heaters cheap to run?

Ceramic heaters are cheaper to run because they heat up quickly, saving electricity. They do not require fuel storage like oil-filled heaters and their compact size makes them portable. However, their small size makes them unsuitable for heating large spaces.

What is the safest type of plug in heater?

Sealed combustion heaters are much safer to operate than other types of space heaters, and operate more efficiently because they do not draw in the heated air from the room and exhaust it to the outdoors. They are also less likely to backdraft and adversely affect indoor air quality.

Is it expensive to run a plug in heater?

Keep in mind that many of the space heaters we've tested 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 (local costs vary).

Is it cheaper to turn up the heat or use a space heater?

To save on heating bills, you can crank down the thermostat and use a space heater for local warmth. Those looking to cut heating bills as the weather cools, have options beyond adding a warm sweater and socks.

What is the cheapest space heater to run?

Halogen heaters are among the most cost-effective electric heater options, with a typical power output of 1200W. Their immediate warmth in close proximity saves energy by not needing to be left running for long stretches of time.

Do space heaters run up your electric bill?

If you use a space heater in your home, please be aware that using a space heater can cause a significant increase in your monthly bill. A 1,000-watt space heater operating 12 hours a day will add about $40 to your monthly bill. If the cost does not deter you, remember how important it is to use space heaters safely.

Which plug-in heater is the cheapest to run?

Tubular heaters are the cheapest electric heater to run this winter, offering efficient heating at low operational costs. In this article, we'll explore various types of electric heaters—including halogen, oil-filled, fan, and tube heaters—comparing their energy consumption, performance, and unique features.

Do small plug-in heaters use a lot of electricity?

Space heaters usually consume between 400 and 1500 watts of electricity, and the majority use around 800-1000 watts. If an electric heater is used for 3 hours a day, then it could add up to 90 kWh of electricity to your monthly electricity bill, which could be an additional 5-10% of your total monthly electricity cost.

Are oil-filled heaters cheap to run?

Oil filled radiators work in a very energy efficient manner, so can be considered cheap to run in comparison with many alternative designer radiator styles.

How can I keep my heat bill low?

No Cost Ways to Save
  1. Turn down your thermostat to 68 degrees. ...
  2. Replace or clean furnace filters once a month. ...
  3. Reduce hot water temperature. ...
  4. Use cold water when washing clothes. ...
  5. Take a five-minute shower instead of a bath. ...
  6. Let the sun in. ...
  7. Remove window air conditioning units for the winter. ...
  8. Close your flue.

Is there a solar powered heater?

Unlike traditional space heaters, many solar air heaters typically need to be mounted to a roof, wall, or window, in order to collect the sun's heat. Some of these collectors can be heavy and installation may require a building permit. The way they work is relatively simple.

What is the most expensive way to heat a house?

This shows natural gas is the cheapest type of heating to run and heating oil is the most expensive way to heat a home.

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