Which is less expensive, a radiator or an electric heater?

We investigate whether a radiator or an electric heater can reduce your home's energy costs more effectively

We all want to know how to reduce our energy costs because of the rising cost of energy and the dropping temperatures.

We have previously examined when it is best to turn on heating, contrasted wood-burning stoves with central heating, examined the differences between hot airers and tumble dryers, and examined the best time to turn on heating. To determine which is less expensive, we now compare radiators and electric heaters.

When your radiator could heat your house, it might not be very pleasant to get out of bed to turn on the electric heater, but you could save money.

This is due to the fact that heating an entire property rather than just the room you're in can be more costly. We find out if the inconvenience is worth the difference, though.

Electric heater vs. radiator.

What is the cost of maintaining a radiator?

Mains gas is the most prevalent type of central heating system in the UK, providing hot water and heating for two-thirds of households (73 percent), according to the Census 2021.

The Heating Hub's expert Jo Alsop explains how to calculate the cost of maintaining your home's central heating system.

Numerous factors, such as the type of boiler you have and how cold it is, will affect the actual costs. However, to give you a ballpark estimate, your central heating costs roughly 29p per hour, based on the January price cap gas rate of 6.24p per kWh.

According to The Heating Hub, the typical UK household uses 9,000 kWh of gas for heating over the course of six months, or 49 kWh per day on average. On colder days, this amount could increase to 70 kWh.

According to the price cap, the total monthly cost would be 86, or £2.90 per day. This is assuming you use the heating system for ten hours each day, i.e., from 5 to 9 a.m. and from 4 to 10 p.m.

Radiators have the greatest benefit of evenly heating your entire house, allowing you to utilize every room to its full potential. Other heating methods cannot provide this all-around warmth, which offers tremendous comfort.

Convenience is another advantage; with an automated heating system, you can typically "set and forget" it, and with app-based control systems, you have more flexibility. As needed, you can also install additional parts and heat sources, such as underfloor pipes.

Obviously, the higher operating costs and the fact that you won't have heat if there are any blackouts are the disadvantages of central heating.

What is an electric heater's operating cost?

Electric heaters are used to heat homes by fewer people. In England and Wales, only 21.1 million households, or about 9% of all households, had electric-only heating, according to the Census 2021.

If you want to heat a single room without turning on your central heating system, electric heaters are fantastic. However, the wattage determines how much you pay for it; the more power it consumes, the more expensive it is to operate.

Fan heaters, oil heaters, and convectors are among the various kinds of electric heaters. With an average January price cap electricity rate of 24.5p per kWh, a typical heater with a wattage of about 1,500W would cost about 110 per month.

Of course, the price may increase or decrease based on the type of electric heater you own.

Electric heating has the advantages of being portable and simple to install, which makes moving them from one room to another easier. They also don't need a lot of upkeep.

But be sure to keep yourself safe. Don't leave them on when you're not home, and only purchase from reliable suppliers who adhere to the right guidelines. Additionally, you shouldn't plug them into an extension cord or use them to dry clothes because they could overload and catch fire.

Conclusion: Is it less expensive to use an electric heater than a central heating system?

Since electricity costs 24p5p per kWh compared to 6p24p for gas, it is obvious that electricity is more expensive than gas.

If you use an electric heater for ten hours a day, it will cost you about twenty-four dollars more than central heating. Keep in mind that the cost may vary depending on your usage and wattage, and that an electric heater only works in one room.

The less expensive alternative would be to turn on your central heating system. Radiators can be turned off at the valve in the empty rooms if you only want to heat one area.