Heat pumps (mini-split systems) are the most energy-efficient room heaters. Instead of creating heat from electricity, they extract and move ambient heat from the outdoors inside, producing up to 3 to 4 times more heat than the electricity they consume.
What Type of Space Heater Uses the Least Electricity? Low-wattage ceramic heaters (like the Ciarra 400W heater) use the least electricity while still delivering effective heat for small spaces. Oil-filled and infrared heaters without fans also tend to use less electricity over longer durations due to heat retention.
Of all the different types of electric heaters, oil column heaters are the cheapest to run – but only by a very slim margin. And they take longer to warm up, so you'll need to rug up until they've heated the room.
Here are the most significant home electricity users:
The Argument for Leaving the Heating On
This approach might seem convenient, as it avoids the discomfort of waiting for the house to warm up. However, most experts agree that it's usually cheaper to heat your home only when you need it.
If your home uses electricity for central heating, the cost is likely still cheaper than running space heaters. According to Scerbo, “Buying a space heater for every room would increase the electricity bill more than if you had just bumped up the thermostat.”
Generally, a 1500-watt heater can effectively heat a well-insulated room of about 150 square feet (approximately 14 square meters) in moderate climates. For larger spaces or colder climates, additional heating sources or a higher wattage heater may be necessary.
👉 For a 24x24 ft (576 sq. ft.) garage, that's anywhere from 17,000 to 40,000 BTUs needed—before adjusting for climate, ceiling height, and other factors.
9 Of The Best Solutions For Inexpensive Heat
Halogen heaters tend to be the cheapest radiant heaters as they have a low power rating (but also produce less heat), while oil-filled radiators are often the cheapest convector heater because there is a thermostat to control the temperature.
Usually oil-filled, column heaters are often the most affordable in terms of running costs, as they use convective heat to warm rooms and, once warmed, will retain heat for a long time. You can usually warm them ahead of time and they don't dry the air too much, unlike fan heaters.
Conclusion. 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.
Insulate central heating and hot water pipes
Insulating central heating and hot water pipes might reduce the amount of lost heat, which helps you save energy and money on your heating bills. You don't need to insulate every pipe - ask a plumber or heating engineer if any of your pipes are worth insulating.
10 Ways to Efficiently Heat and Cool Small Spaces
An uninsulated garage door is perhaps the biggest culprit for heat loss in your garage, as there is no barrier to slow the heat transfer out of your garage. In order to protect your garage from heat loss, you need a door with insulation.
On average, a 30,000 BTU heater can heat approximately 1,200 to 1,500 square feet of well-insulated space in moderate climates.
This may be one of the most simple but clever ways to heat your pool. Simply purchase a black garden hose and connect it to the outside water spigot. Ensure your hose is in direct sunlight, wrapped in a coil shape to maximize its surface area (while still reaching your spigot and pool).
Q: What size heater do I need for a 10x10 room? A: A heater with 1,500 to 2,000 BTUs is recommended for a 10x10 room depending on insulation and outside temperatures.
An average size, for example a 200 to 300 square foot garage, will require 8,000 to 12,000 BTUs. Two car garages of 400 to 600 square feet leap up to 30,000 to 50,000 BTUs while three car spaces that run over 750 square feet will require a heater generating between 45,000 and 55,000 BTUs or more.
The Golden Rule: You need approximately 10 watts of heating power for every square foot of floor space. Small Garage (1-car, ~250 sq ft): A 2,500-watt heater is sufficient. Standard Garage (2-car, ~400-500 sq ft): Look for a 4,000 to 5,000-watt unit.
Natural gas is usually the cheapest way. Even with higher gas prices, a heating system fueled by natural gas is typically less than electricity, propane, or heating oil. Energy efficiency is another way to assess the cost of a heating system. An energy-efficient heating system saves you money on your heating bill.
The cost of running a portable electric heater per hour varies depending on its wattage and your local electricity rate, but on average, it can cost between $0.25 to $1.00 per hour. "My 1500W heater costs around 18p per hour to run, so about 25p with the price cap rise."
Electric radiators and infrared panels are among the most efficient forms of electric heating.