Electric convector heaters

ButterflySteps

I'm looking at a flat to buy at the moment, which unfortunately has no gas supply and no central heating. Instead it is heated by electric convector heaters, which I hear is quite expensive to run.

The flat is set in a block of flats, has two medium sized bedrooms and a living room.

I was wondering if anyone can give me a rough estimate of the monthly cost of running the electric heaters during the winter months?

Edit: I should say the flat isn't on an Economy 7 plan

modsandmockers

The first thing to say is that by having no gas supply you are immediately saving £50-70 a year because you only have to pay standing charges for one fuel rather than two.

The cost of running your convector heaters depends entirely upon how much time you spend at home, how well the flat is insulated, how many rooms you choose to heat, and how good you are at remembering to switch off the heaters which are not needed.

Owain_Moneysaver

Don't you get an EPC in the sales pack? It will give you a guide what running costs will be.

Cardew

As stated in post 2 it is really a 'how long is a piece of string' question.

In all day with children in a poorly insulted flat and winter bills could be horific, Out at work, no children, in a well insulated flat quite reasonable.

footyguy

ButterflySteps wrote: »

I'm looking at a flat to buy at the moment, which unfortunately has no gas supply and no central heating. Instead it is heated by electric convector heaters, which I hear is quite expensive to run.

The flat is set in a block of flats, has two medium sized bedrooms and a living room.

I was wondering if anyone can give me a rough estimate of the monthly cost of running the electric heaters during the winter months?

Edit: I should say the flat isn't on an Economy 7 plan

Do you know what size convestor heaters these are? in W or kW? There should be a a label on them somewhere giving this info.

If you look at your electricity bill, it should tell you how much 1kW costs for 1 hour (a price for a kWh).

Alternatively, you will need an energy monitor to see what the maximum consumption is.

Note that some heaters offer a partial switching facility (e.g. only 50% on) and if they are thermostatically controlled, then they will cut out as and when required to maintain the desired ambient temperature, further reducing your running costs.


I would suggest any price offered for the property reflects the current heating in place, so that you can then arrange for the installation of a more cost effective heating solution once you are the owner.