What's cheaper? Home central heating or fan heaters?

LiveOnce

Hi guys,

Generally what's cheaper to use to keep the house warm for 6-8hrs - keeping the central heating on or having fan heaters on for a couple of rooms?

The house itself is a 3 bedroom home but I am new and wishing to know which works out cheaper

Here is the fan heater I use: http://www.amazon.co.uk/DeLonghi-HVY1030-Vertical-Upright-Heater/dp/B003WJR6DK

Heater 2: http://www.amazon.co.uk/DeLonghi-HS20-Convector-Heater-Kilowatt/dp/B0000W5FSU/ref=sr_1_5?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1389212809&sr=1-5&keywords=delonghi+heater

Thanks!

molerat

In mid winter with gas I heat my whole house 24 hours a day with as much hot water as I can use for the same price as using one 1.5 kW electric heater 24 hours a day. If you only have the radiators on in the rooms you need to heat it will work out cheaper. Gas ch is only 60 - 80% efficient but only costs around 27% of the price of electricity.

victor2

Gas is about a third of the price per kWh than electricity, but electric heaters are much more efficient than central heating.
Controlling the central heating so that it only does the same sort of areas as the fan heaters may well work out cheaper, but the best way to find out is to experiment. Try each heating system for a week or two and see how much gas and electricity you use in each case by reading the meters. Then compare the costs using your current tariff.
Bit of work involved, and it obviously has to be done in similar weather conditions, but it will give you an idea.