A portable electric heater is a cheap way to warm the room you're in without firing up the whole central heating. But which type is cheapest to run? Here's how they compare.
- Every heater of the same wattage costs the same to run per hour.
- A thermostat and a timer are what cut the bill.
- Choose the type that suits how you use the room.
The main types
- Fan heaters: cheap to buy and heat a room fast, but best for quick bursts rather than long periods.
- Convector heaters: warm a room steadily and quietly — good all-rounders.
- Oil-filled column radiators: slower to warm up but retain heat efficiently and stay warm after switching off — great for longer use in living rooms.
- Halogen/infrared: heat people and objects directly and instantly — ideal for spot warmth.
Which is cheapest to run?
Here's the key point: all electric heaters of the same wattage use the same energy for the same heat — a 2kW heater costs the same per hour whatever the type. The savings come from using them well: a heater with a thermostat and timer only runs when needed, and oil-filled radiators keep giving heat after they switch off. So choose a type that suits the room and, crucially, one with good controls.
“Don’t chase a cheaper heater type. Chase good controls and the right size for the room.”
What to look for
- Thermostat & timer — the real money-savers.
- The right wattage for the room size.
- Safety: tip-over and overheat cut-offs.
Our picks
Living-room warmth, with a timerDimplex Oil-Free Column Radiator 2kW
€139.95
Long evenings in the living roomDimplex 2kW Oil Filled Column Radiator
€99.95
A quiet all-rounderDimplex 2kw Convector With Timer, White
€64.99
Fast heat in short burstsDimplex Tusk Ceramic Fan Heater 2kW
€39.95
Final thoughts
Don't chase a “cheaper” heater type — chase good controls and the right size for the room. Browse heaters & radiators online or ask in any of our 60+ stores.
Questions
Is an oil-filled radiator cheaper to run than a fan heater?
Not per hour. Heaters of the same wattage use the same energy for the same heat. An oil-filled radiator keeps giving off heat after it switches off, which helps over a long evening.
What actually saves money?
Good controls. A thermostat switches the heater off once the room is warm, and a timer means it only runs when you need it.
What safety features matter?
A tip-over switch and overheat protection, so the heater turns itself off if it falls over or gets too hot.
How we choose our picks. Our team picks products that match the advice in this guide. Only products in stock today are shown, and prices update by themselves.
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