In Great Britain, a 2 kW fan heater costs about 53p per hour when it runs continuously at full power, using Ofgem’s average Direct Debit electricity rate for 1 October–31 December 2026. For the same 2 kWh of useful heat, gas costs about 18p at Ofgem’s average gas rate if you assume a 90% efficient boiler. That is an illustrative comparison: a fan heater can warm one occupied room, while central heating serves the home’s heating system.
What the comparison costs at current GB average rates
Ofgem’s average price-cap unit rates for Direct Debit customers in Great Britain from 1 October to 31 December 2026 are 26.32p per kWh for electricity and 7.97p per kWh for gas. These are averages, not rates every household pays; your actual unit prices vary with region, payment method, meter and tariff. Check Ofgem’s current price-cap unit rates and standing charges, and use your own tariff for a more exact estimate.
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| Heating example | Calculation | Estimated energy cost |
|---|---|---|
| 2 kW fan heater, one hour at full power | 2 kW × 1 hour × 26.32p/kWh | 52.64p, or about 53p |
| Electricity for 2 kWh of direct heat | 2 kWh × 26.32p/kWh | 52.64p, or about 53p |
| Gas for 2 kWh of useful heat, assuming a 90% efficient boiler | 2 kWh ÷ 0.90 × 7.97p/kWh | About 17.7p, or 18p |
The 90% boiler efficiency is an assumption used to make an equal-useful-heat comparison; it is not a claim about every central-heating boiler. Under that assumption, gas heat costs roughly one-third as much per unit of useful heat as direct electric resistance heat. Energy Saving Trust describes standard-rate electricity as around four times more expensive than gas, but that is a general characterisation, not the precise ratio implied by these October–December 2026 rates, which is about 3.3 to 1. See its electric heating guidance.
Calculate the cost for your fan heater
For a resistive fan heater, estimate full-power running cost with:
#1 Best Overall
- 2 in 1 Dual Fan: With the independent fan operation and two speed settings, this heater fan combo delivers both heat and cold airflow to suit any season. Whether you need cooling in summer or warmth in winter, this reliable 2-in-1 unit is designed to accompany you through every climate
- 45° Adjustment: Different from other personal fan, this heater fan combo for indoor use has a 0° - 45° adjustable angle, making you feel cool wind or warmth whenever sitting or standing
- Overheat & Tip-over Protection: This heating and cooling fan is built with safety protection, the automatic overheat system will shut the home fan off when the parts of the desk fan overheat, thus providing safe cool for your family
- Convenient and Compact: This 2 in 1 fan and heater combo for office will be a great choice for office, home use. Specially designed with a built-in carrying handle, more convenient for you to move and place this desktop fan. It keeps you pleasantly cool and comfortable warmth during the long summer and winter
- Low Noise: Great choice for both quietness and warmth, this heater fan for bedroom warms quietly thanks to its brushless motor inside with frictionless performance and a winglet fan design that reduces turbulence, reducing noise to only 35dB
Hourly cost = power in kW × hours at full power × electricity rate in £/kWh
At 26.32p/kWh, the examples below are arithmetic estimates, not appliance tests:
Rank #2
- Rapid Heating: This space heater delivers 1500W power for quick and warmth. The portable design allows placement by your feet on the floor, beside your hands on the office desk, or for carrying around indoors. It's also suitable for tent use. This compact heater can warm areas up to 200 square feet.
- Comprehensive Safety Protection: ETL certified with features like tip-over and protection, along with an enhanced safety plug. Built with flame-retardant materials, ensuring ultimate safety from all aspects.
- Efficient Energy Saving: ECO mode allows for self-setting of the temperature in order to achieve the ideal temperature you need and provide precise warmth for energy savings. The 70° wide-angle oscillation covers the entire area, delivering broad heat for spaces such as bedrooms, garages, basements, offices, and desks.
- Multiple Modes of Operation: Various modes including High/Medium/Low/ECO/Fan Only cater to different heating needs, from powerful heating to energy-saving ECO heating. The heater with remote control enables an easy balance between heating and efficiency, the remote control requires two 3A batteries (batteries not included). It operates quietly, allowing you peaceful sleep or work.
- The 1500W desktop indoor heater is highly portable, allowing you to carry it outdoors whenever needed. The space heater is suitable for home, large rooms, indoor spaces, living rooms, bedrooms, basements, offices, and tent usage, among others.
- A 1 kW setting costs about 26p for each full-power hour.
- A 1.5 kW setting costs about 39p for each full-power hour.
- A 2 kW setting costs about 53p for each full-power hour.
- Four uninterrupted hours at 2 kW would cost about £2.11.
Use the heater’s selected power setting, not just its maximum rating, and multiply by the time it is actually heating at that level. A thermostat may switch the heating element on and off, so consumption over an hour can be lower than the continuous full-power estimate.
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Calculate gas cost for the same useful heat
To compare equal useful heat rather than appliance ratings, use:
Rank #3
- CUSTOMIZABLE HEATING OPTIONS: Choose from three settings to suit your needs - High (1500W), Low (900W), or Fan Only for air circulation without heat.
- COMPACT & PORTABLE: Weighing just 3 lbs and sized at 7.5“L x 6.3”W x 9.5“H, this space heater is easy to move and perfect for your Home, Office.
- Built-in Tip-Over Protection, Overheat Protection, and a Power Indicator Light for safe operation.
- RAPID HEATING TECHNOLOGY: Ceramic heating provides fast and efficient heat in minutes with only 43 dB noise level, keeping you warm quickly on cold days.
- NOT FOR HUMID ENVIRONMENTS: Please avoid using this heater in Bathrooms, Laundry Rooms, or other high-moisture areas.
Gas cost = useful heat in kWh ÷ assumed boiler efficiency × gas rate in £/kWh
For example, producing 2 kWh of useful heat with a boiler assumed to be 90% efficient requires about 2.22 kWh of gas. At 7.97p/kWh, that is approximately 17.7p. Replace both the assumed efficiency and the gas rate with figures appropriate to your system and tariff. Ofgem explains how the price cap is reviewed and updated in its price-cap information; rates change quarterly, so the figures above are specific to the stated period.
Rank #4
- CUSTOMIZABLE HEATING OPTIONS: Choose from three settings to suit your needs - High (1500W), Low (900W), or Fan Only for air circulation without heat.
- COMPACT & PORTABLE: Weighing just 3 lbs and sized at 7.5“L x 6.3”W x 9.5“H, this space heater is easy to move and perfect for your Home, Office.
- Built-in Tip-Over Protection, Overheat Protection, and a Power Indicator Light for safe operation.
- RAPID HEATING TECHNOLOGY: Ceramic heating provides fast and efficient heat in minutes with only 43 dB noise level, keeping you warm quickly on cold days.
- NOT FOR HUMID ENVIRONMENTS: Please avoid using this heater in Bathrooms, Laundry Rooms, or other high-moisture areas.
Why the cheapest option depends on the room and heating schedule
The per-kWh comparison does not establish which option will cost less for your particular household. A fan heater can direct heat to one room; central heating is a different service that heats through the home’s heating system. The amount of space you need to warm, how long it needs heat, and whether central heating is already running all affect the practical choice. A 2 kW room heater and a boiler’s nominal output are not directly comparable measures of equal coverage or delivered comfort.
The estimates compare energy use and exclude standing charges, which generally do not change when you use a heater for an extra hour. They also exclude heating-system startup losses and other fixed costs. If comparing whole household bills, treat standing charges consistently rather than assigning an unchanged daily charge to additional heater use.
Use your own tariff and the current quarter’s rates
- Find your electricity and gas unit rates on your bill or energy account. Rates can differ by region, payment method, meter and tariff.
- Check the fan heater’s power setting in kW. If its label gives watts, divide by 1,000: for example, 2,000 W is 2 kW.
- Multiply the heater’s kW by the hours it is actually heating, then by your electricity rate in pounds per kWh.
- For a gas comparison, divide the useful heat you want by your assumed boiler efficiency, then multiply the gas input by your gas rate.
- Compare the resulting costs for the same period and consider whether you need to heat just one room or the home.
Ofgem’s cap rates are updated quarterly, so the October–December 2026 examples should not be treated as permanent prices. The annualised price-cap headline is not a prediction of an individual household bill.
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