Electric Radiator Running Cost Calculator
Instantly calculate how much it costs to run your electric radiator per hour, day, week, and year based on its wattage and your electricity price.
Calculate Your Running Cost
Enter your electric radiator’s power rating, how many hours a day you run it, and your electricity price below to get an instant cost breakdown.
Running Cost Calculator
Enter your details to see the estimated electricity cost
Check the label on your unit or the manufacturer’s spec sheet
Actual run time may be less if it cycles off via a thermostat
Check your latest energy bill or tariff for your exact unit rate
Estimated Cost
Calculated from your power usage and tariff
Electric Radiator Running Cost Reference Chart
Estimated hourly and daily running costs for common electric radiator sizes, based on 6 hours of use per day at an average UK electricity price of 27p per kWh.
| Radiator Type | Typical Wattage | Cost Per Hour | Cost Per Day (6 hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Panel Heater | 500-750 W | £0.14 – £0.20 | £0.81 – £1.22 |
| Standard Oil-Filled | 1000-1500 W | £0.27 – £0.41 | £1.62 – £2.43 |
| Mid-Size Panel Radiator | 1500-2000 W | £0.41 – £0.54 | £2.43 – £3.24 |
| Large Convector Heater | 2000-2500 W | £0.54 – £0.68 | £3.24 – £4.05 |
| High-Output Unit | 3000 W | £0.81 | £4.86 |
Electric Radiator Cost FAQ
Everything you need to know about the electricity cost of running an electric radiator at home.
A 1kW (1000 watt) electric radiator running at full power for one hour uses 1 kWh of electricity, which costs roughly 25-30 pence per hour at average UK electricity prices.
Running a 1.5kW electric radiator continuously for 24 hours can cost around £9-11 per day at average UK prices, so most people use a thermostat or timer to limit runtime and avoid heating a room once it reaches a comfortable temperature.
Most domestic electric radiators range from 500 watts for small rooms up to 2000-2500 watts for larger spaces. A common mid-size panel or oil-filled radiator uses around 1000-1500 watts.
Yes. A thermostat or smart control switches the radiator off once your target room temperature is reached, meaning it only draws its full wattage in short bursts rather than continuously, which typically reduces overall running costs.