After evaluating the various kinds of electric heaters on the market, it is clear that halogen heaters are most cost-effective to run due to their lower power output. Though many of the higher wattage models come with inbuilt thermostats and timers, allowing you to manage how much energy they use and for what duration.
So, after looking at the different types of electric heaters available, due to its lower power-output, halogen heaters are the cheapest electric heaters 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.
The cheapest way to heat your house with electricity is to use a heat pump. Instead of using the energy to create heat (through resistive heating), you use the energy to move heat from a colder area to a warmer area. The most efficient heat pump is a water source heat pump.
Ceramic and convector heaters take a little longer to get up to temperature but can heat larger spaces and most often have an adjustable thermostat to help you manage costs. Wall panel heaters also fall under this umbrella. Their low wattage means they use less energy, but they also take longer to warm a room.
Oil-filled heaters are less energy-efficient because it takes them longer to heat the area. Whereas, electric heaters utilize less energy when they use less electricity from the outlet. As a result, they will consume less electricity and become more energy-efficient.
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.
Ceramic heaters are cheaper to run than traditional gas based, or oil filled systems. Ceramic heaters contain heating elements that offer far greater resistance than traditional metal units, this allows for the radiator to generate more heat per watt.
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.
Oil filled radiators are more economical to run because they retain heatlonger and power demand through the temperature control is called upon less frequently. Electric heaters heat only the room you are in and not the entire house, providing extra heat only where required and helping to optimise energy consumption.
Electric radiators and infrared panels are among the most efficient forms of electric heating. Ceramic electric radiators deliver an even split of convection and radiation, and infrared panels use radiation as their sole method of heat transfer.
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).
Halogen Heaters
This type of heat is ideal if you need to quickly warm up an area but won't be as effective in heating an entire room evenly. Halogen heaters are among the most cost-effective electric heater options, with a typical power output of 1200W.
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.
To save money, aim to have your temperature set around 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home and awake. This is a comfortable temperature for most with the help of a light sweater. Overnight and when you're out, around 64 degrees Fahrenheit will keep your home at a good temperature.
It might be cheaper to heat one room with an electric heater. But it depends on the size of the room and how long you need to heat it for. Although gas costs about four times less than electricity per kWh, it will usually be heating more than one room through the central heating system.
So, running a 1,500-watt heater for 24 hours would cost approximately £10.44 in the UK. Variable electricity rates: If your provider has tiered rates or time-of-use pricing where electricity costs vary throughout the day, you would need to calculate the costs based on the specific rate schedule.
But don't worry, infrared heaters are incredibly efficient. They're designed to keep a space warm while using as little electricity as possible.
While convector heaters excel at providing quick, instant heat and are highly portable, oil-filled radiators are known for their ability to retain heat efficiently over longer periods, making them a more cost-effective option for extended use.
If you have a 2100W (2.1 kW) washing machine and you run it for an hour, it'll use 2.1kWh of electricity in that hour. If electricity costs 34p per unit, multiply 2.1kWh by 34p and you get a grand total of 71p. Bingo, that's how much your washing machine costs per hour.
What costs the most on your electric bill? Heating and cooling are by far the greatest energy users in the home, making up around 40% of your electric bill. Other big users are washers, dryers, ovens, and stoves. Electronic devices like laptops and TVs are usually pretty cheap to run, but of course, it can all add up.