Which are the cheapest electric heaters to run?

beautiful_ravens · 13 January 2009 at 11:22PM

Which is cheapest/most efficient? I have 2 fan heaters, 1 convector heater and one oil filled radiator/heater. We keep having to use them because we keep running out of oil (for the central heating) and cant afford to buy any (and pay for it all in one go)

Cardew · 13 January 2009 at 11:33PM

All of those electrical heaters cost EXACTLY the same to run; and is the most expensive form of heating available.

At the current low prices of oil, I would try somehow to find the money to fill your tank - you will have to find a lot more money to pay your electricity bill if you don't.

Magentasue · 13 January 2009 at 11:34PM

Three or four times a week someone asks this on this board and the answer is that a 2kw heater will use 2kwh whether it's a fan, convector or oil filled heater. The difference is how the heat - the convectors and fans produce more instant heat whereas the oil filled takes a while to get hot, but will also take a while to cool down.

They're all expensive to run to heat a house but, in your case, I suppose it depends on whether you want to come in and have some heat quickly or some background heat. We used plug in heaters before we got central heating and used radiator in bathroom (on on timer), convectors in living room and fan heaters for 20mins in bedrooms. Got electricity bill and bought and begged electric blankets for the rest of the winter. A good investment for us.

I thought the price of oil had dropped so I suppose that would make your CH cheaper if you can get some oil in. Meanwhile, good luck with the heaters - I know it's not ideal. Keep reading the meter so you're prepared for the bill when you get it.

rothers8080 · 14 January 2009 at 2:03AM

An air source heat pump is BY FAR the cheapest electric heating and probably cheaper that you oil burner or central heating - see the 'other fuels' forum as a few of us are now running these, they are the future of heating.

Sirbendy · 14 January 2009 at 11:49AM

intriguing...going to have a look there now I think...

Our new building (School, under construction) will have ground-source heating..now that's looking like it'll be fun..

storminbalder · 14 January 2009 at 12:02PM

I would imagine fan heaters cost the most because they have moving parts to power as well (namely the fan).

Sirbendy · 14 January 2009 at 1:26PM

are they, though? A fan heater pumps the air through..in theory it can heat a large volume of air faster than a "natural" non-forced heater. Therefore I would have thought it could bring a room up to temp faster than a "normal" heater.

storminbalder · 14 January 2009 at 2:01PM

Sirbendy wrote: »

are they, though? A fan heater pumps the air through..in theory it can heat a large volume of air faster than a "natural" non-forced heater. Therefore I would have thought it could bring a room up to temp faster than a "normal" heater.

It might circulate the heated air more rapidly yes. But a fan won't do anything to heat I wouldn't imagine.

It's just common sense really. The majority of the running cost will be the heating elements, but for any product with additional moving components there will be an additional electricity cost surely. Well unless it's wind powered or something I suppose.

Sirbendy · 14 January 2009 at 2:52PM

true, i suppose...

beautiful_ravens · 15 January 2009 at 12:23AM

Thanks. I though possibly the oil filled heater might be marginally better, but I kind of know theyre all pretty meh. I hate using them, but when its cold, its grim. Im somehow going to be buying some heating oil this week (£235) dont really know how thats going to work...
Anyway, thanks & sorry for asking a 'same 'ol' question!!!!

Which are the cheapest electric heaters to run?

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