How much an electric heater costs to run
Last updated: 18 October 2026
A 2 kW fan heater’s cost per hour at the October 2026 Ofgem Direct Debit rate, plus a 30-day illustration with the standing charge kept separate.
How it's calculated
Divide the watts by 1,000 to get kilowatt-hours for one hour at full power. Multiply by the unit rate in pence and round to the nearest penny. A day multiplies by the hours the heater is on. The illustrations below use 30 days, which is not a calendar month.
The rate used here is 26.32p per kWh, Ofgem’s average for Direct Debit customers in England, Scotland and Wales from 1 October to 31 December 2026. Electricity on the cap has no VAT from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027. Regional rates and other payment methods differ. The calculator lets you type the rate from your bill. The £1,723 figure Ofgem publishes is a typical dual-fuel bill, not an electricity-only heater cost.
Worked examples
A fan heater with a 2,000 W nameplate, run for one hour, uses 2 kWh. At 26.32p per kWh the cost is £0.53.
The same heater for 4 hours a day over 30 days costs £63.17. The standing charge for those days is £16.45 and is not included in that heater cost.
An electric blanket at 100 W, left on for 8 hours a day over the same 30 days, costs £6.32. Preset watts are typical nameplates, not an Ofgem measurement. Use the rating plate if it differs.
Questions
What is the electric heater cost per hour in the UK?
At the Ofgem Direct Debit average of 26.32p per kWh, a 2 kW heater uses 2 kWh an hour and costs £0.53. A different wattage or a different rate on your bill changes that figure.
Does the price cap cap my bill?
No. Ofgem caps the unit rate and the standing charge on a default tariff in Great Britain. The bill still depends on how much electricity you use. A fixed tariff is outside the cap.
Should I add the standing charge to the heater?
The standing charge is 54.83p a day at the Direct Debit average, whether or not the heater is on. Over 30 days that is £16.45, kept separate from the heater.
Does this apply in Northern Ireland?
No. The Ofgem price cap covers England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has its own electricity prices.