Patio Heater Running Cost Calculator
Instantly calculate the hourly, daily, and monthly running costs of your electric, gas, or propane patio heater. Free, accurate energy estimator for UK households.
Calculate Your Heating Costs
Enter your patio heater’s specifications and your local energy rates below to get an instant, precise breakdown of your running costs.
Cost Calculator
Enter your heater details to see estimated energy costs
Estimated Running Costs
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Average Patio Heater Running Costs
Estimated hourly running costs for common patio heater types based on average UK energy prices (Electric: 24p/kWh, Gas: 6p/kWh, Propane: 150p/kg).
| Heater Type & Size | Cost Per Hour | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Electric (1.5 kW) | ~36p | Small balconies, covered patios |
| Electric (2.0 kW) | ~48p | Standard residential patios |
| Electric (3.0 kW) | ~72p | Large open outdoor spaces |
| Mains Gas (10 kW) | ~60p | Medium commercial or large home use |
| Mains Gas (13 kW) | ~78p | Large commercial hospitality areas |
| Propane / LPG (0.5 kg/hr) | ~75p | Off-grid locations, portable use |
Patio Heater Costs FAQ
Everything you need to know about calculating and reducing the running costs of outdoor heating.
At the UK average electricity rate of 24p per kWh, a 2kW electric patio heater costs approximately 48p per hour to run. Running it for 4 hours a day would cost around £1.92 per day, or roughly £58 per month.
Generally, yes. Mains natural gas is significantly cheaper per kWh than electricity in the UK. However, portable propane (LPG) patio heaters can sometimes be comparable to or slightly more expensive than electric heaters, depending on current bulk gas prices and the efficiency of the specific heater model.
To calculate the cost, multiply the heater’s power consumption (in kW for electric/gas, or kg/hr for propane) by your energy rate (in pence). Then, multiply that hourly cost by the number of hours you use it per day, and the number of days per month.
Electric patio heaters typically range from 1.5kW to 3kW. While a 2kW heater uses a moderate amount of electricity, the total cost depends entirely on how many hours it is switched on. Using a heater with a built-in thermostat, timer, or eco-mode can significantly reduce overall electricity usage.