Heating & Winter Running Costs
Heating costs are mostly about wattage multiplied by time. A heater that runs for hours will dominate your bill quickly, even if the purchase price was low.
What usually drives costs in this category
- Rated wattage and how many hours per day the appliance runs
- Whether the appliance cycles on a thermostat or runs flat out
- How well insulated the room is
- Whether you need room heat or only personal warmth
Useful context
The most useful question is usually not just "which heater is cheaper?" but "do I need to warm the whole room or just myself?" Personal warmth options can cost a fraction of whole-room electric heating.
Run time, thermostat behaviour, room insulation, and whether you are heating one person or one space all matter more than brand names. Small changes in hours of use create the biggest swings in annual cost.
Appliance calculators
Compare the typical running cost of the most relevant appliances in this category.
Relevant comparisons
Related guides
Heating & Winter running cost FAQs
Common questions about electricity costs and our calculators.