UK Electric Heating Running Cost Calculator
See what your electric heater costs per hour, per day, per month and per year — from its wattage, how long you use it each day and your electricity unit rate.
Independent UK energy information from PowerGuardian.
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Figures reviewed June 2026 and updated monthly where appropriate. All results are estimates.
Choosing a heater type fills in a typical wattage — you can edit it below.
Watts (W) — a 2kW heater is 2,000W
Decimals allowed (e.g. 4.5)
Pence per kWh (not pounds) — pre-filled with a typical UK rate
Enter the unit rate in pence per kWh (for example 27), not pounds. This tool provides an estimate, not a guaranteed bill amount.
Choose a heater type, check the wattage, enter how many hours a day you use it and your electricity unit rate to calculate the estimated running cost.
tado Smart Thermostat Starter Kit
Schedule, zone and remote-control your heating — independently shown to cut heating bills meaningfully.
- Heat only when needed
- Geofencing & schedules
- Room-by-room control
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How the Electric Heating Cost Calculator Works
The calculator uses a heater's wattage, how many hours you run it each day and your electricity unit rate to estimate running costs. It converts wattage into kWh used per day, multiplies that by your unit rate in pence, and then converts the result into pounds for daily, monthly, winter and annual figures.
How Much Does a 2kW Electric Heater Cost to Run?
At around 27p per kWh, a 2,000W (2kW) heater costs roughly 54p an hour. Run for five hours a day that's about £2.70 a day, or close to £80 a month across a heating season. Lower-wattage heaters and shorter run times cost proportionally less.
Which Electric Heaters Are Cheapest to Run?
All direct electric heaters are close to 100% efficient, so the cheapest to run is simply the one with the lowest wattage that keeps you comfortable — plus good thermostatic control and timers so it isn't heating an empty room. Storage heaters on an Economy 7 tariff can cut costs by using cheaper overnight electricity.
Why Electric Heating Running Costs Vary
Real costs depend on your heater's wattage, how long it runs, your tariff's unit rate, room insulation, outside temperature and how well the thermostat cycles the heater on and off. Two homes with the same heater can pay very different amounts.
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Cut the Cost of Heating Your Home
See how electric heater types compare and find practical ways to bring your heating bills down.
Read the Electric Heating Guide