How Much Does Electric Heating Cost? A Total Breakdown

Portable electric heaters are effective in providing short bursts of heat and warming a specific area of the house. Although they consume more electricity than central heating, portable heaters are still the go-to choice for additional warmth during the cold months. The heating cost depends on wattage, usage time, and house condition. Keep reading to find out the approximate heating cost for your home.  

Do Electric Heaters Use a Lot of Electricity? 

In general, electric heaters often consume more energy than central heating if used for long hours. However, if you need to heat up a small space/ room inside the house for limited hours, a portable electric heater is more energy-efficient and helps you save more money. Meanwhile, central heating can provide the whole-house warmth.  

How Much Does Portable Heating Cost? 

To calculate the total heating cost, you need to calculate the power consumption of the heating units. A typical heater can range from 1000W to 2000W, as stated on the wattage label. The higher the wattage means higher the power consumption. Using a heater with higher wattage will warm up your room quickly, but at the same time, consume more electricity.  

Power Consumption (kWh) = Power (W) x Usage Time (hours) / 1000 

The heating cost is the multiplier of power consumption and the price of electricity per hour. Check your electricity supplier’s website and information to find out the exact cost you're paying.  

Heating Cost = Power Consumption (kWh) x Electricity Price 

Other Factors Affecting the Heating Cost 

Besides the elements in the equation, many other factors can affect the heating cost of your house.  

Using Habits 

The way you use and operate an electric heater can affect the power consumption. Many electric heaters let you choose the level of heat within different heating modes, which may increase or lower the power consumption. Setting the thermostat and timers allows you to adjust the temperature. Higher degrees will translate to higher electric consumption. 

House Condition and Temperature 

Large areas and bigger rooms need electric heaters with higher capacity. Improper setup can make the units have to work harder, consuming more energy while not achieving the optimal efficiency. If your room doesn’t have proper insulation, heat can escape quickly. In this case, your heater will have to work constantly to make up for the heat loss, making electricity consumption higher. 

To ensure that you don’t waste any energy, choose a heater that suits your needs and room size. Contact us for expert advice on wattage, models, and usage. 

Quality of Electric Heaters 

High-quality heaters work more efficiently, meaning less heat and energy is wasted. A reliable electric heater should be frequently checked and maintained for the best performance.

Heating Cost Based on Types of Heaters 

The heating cost can also vary according to the type of electric heaters you use. Each one of these has its own benefits and drawbacks. Choosing the most suitable model is the first step to minimise heating costs and to enjoy your warm living conditions.  

Fan Heaters 

Fan heaters are great options for additional heating with efficient electricity consumption. They provide instant warmth with fan engines without complicated installation. Fan heaters are suitable for small to medium rooms. They often have a wattage of around 2000W, costing £0.55 per hour. 

Hire Fan Heaters

 

 

Infrared Heaters 

Infrared heaters have great heating efficiency to limit the heat loss. Infrared heating units use radiant heat, which targets specific objects and humans instead of heating up the air around. For this reason, infrared heaters can be more efficient and useful for outdoor events, construction projects, or simply in a big room with insulation issues. The wattage can range from 600 to 1500W, translating to around 17p to 42p per hour.  

Hire Infrared Heaters

Convection Heaters 

Convection heaters use air circulation to distribute heat evenly in small to medium rooms. They can have wattage from 2000 to 3000W, costing 55p to 83p per hour. This type of heater is best for living rooms and bedrooms with closed air circulation. Larger spaces will require more energy usage and higher electricity costs.

Hire Convector Heaters

Oil-filled Heaters 

Oil-filled models are portable heaters powered by electricity. The oil is sealed safely within the unit, and you will use electricity to heat this, which radiates heat through the metal fins. Oil heaters are adored by households thanks to their compact and flexible design with high efficiency. Oil stays hot for a long time, meaning the heater will keep radiating heat for short periods after turning off.

With the same amount of electricity consumed, your oil heater can stay warm for longer. Oil-filled heaters can range from 1 to 2.5kW, smaller than convector heaters, usually from 2 to 3kW. See how an oil-filled heater compares to a convection heater.

Hire Oil-filled Heaters

Heater Type	Common Wattage	Electricity Cost Per Hour	Electricity Cost Per 8 Hours	Suitable for
Fan Heater	2000W	£0.55	£4.43	Quick, short burst of heat in small/medium rooms
Convector Heater	2000-3000W	£0.55 - £0.83	£5.54	Even heating across a room
Oil-filled Heater	1500-2500W	£0.42 - £0.69	£4.43	Long, steady warmth
Infrared Heater	600-1500W	£0.17 - £0.42	£3.32	Directional heating for a large space or outdoors

Note: Costs based on 27–29p/kWh electricity rate 

Electricity Cost at Different Locations 

The electricity price in different regions can differ from each other. This number can also depend on your supplier, standing charges, and distribution costs. The table below shows the electricity rate from January to March 2026 in different regions across the UK.

Region	Electricity Rate per kWh
North West	£0.2845
Northern	£0.2675
Yorkshire	£0.2669
Northern Scotland	£0.2836
Southern	£0.2783
Southern Scotland	£0.2783
North Wales and Mersey	£0.2909
London	£0.27
South East	£0.2827
Eastern	£0.2788
East Midlands	£0.2689
Midlands	£0.2699
Southern Western	£0.2816
South Wales	£0.2818

Source: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/get-energy-price-cap-standing-charges-and-unit-rates-region 

Tips to Reduce the Electric Heating Cost 

To reduce your heating costs, follow these simple tips to run your electric heaters with efficiency. 

Choose the Right Electric Heaters 

Based on your needs and room conditions, pick the suitable electric heaters from the wide selection on the market. For example, choose a convector heater if you want to warm up outdoor areas with radiant heat to reduce heat waste. If you're using the unit in a small room, we recommend a smaller oil-filled radiator for extended periods. Always follow the supplier’s instructions to use your electric heaters safely and correctly. For more tips, read our blogs on safety heating tips to protect yourself and your family. 

Add House Insulation 

Adding house insulation will not only help you reduce the energy consumption by electric heaters but also raise the overall temperature. So even if you're not using heating units, you will still feel a cosy living space. Some ways to increase insulation in your house are installing loft insulation, sealing drafts, and putting in carpets. 

Regular Maintenance 

Regular maintenance is the key to keeping your heaters running efficiently. A clean heat sink and filter will have heat be distributed evenly across the room, reducing electricity consumption. Check all cables, plug and power cords to avoid hazards while using.  

Use Renewable Energy to Power 

Using renewable energy to power our electric heaters will help you reduce your electric bills. In the long term, it will also lower harmful environmental impacts. If you're using your heater onsite or where there is no direct electricity source, hire solar generators to power your heating units.  

Save Heating Cost with Portable Heaters from Speedy Hire 

Electric heating costs depend on 3 main factors: heater wattage, usage time, and electricity cost per hour. In other words, the higher wattage and longer usage time, the more energy your heater will consume, raising the electricity cost. A suitable portable heating unit will be a cost-effective solution for your home or construction projects. 

Heating Hire From Speedy

Speedy Hire offers an extensive range of electric heaters, from fan heaters to infrared heaters with different wattage capacities for your needs. With our heating hire, you don't have to worry about maintenance or storage. All units are delivered in great condition for the best performance. Check out our collection and get them delivered in just 4 hours or collect from more than 100 depots.