What is the cheapest heater to run in the UK?

Quick checklist

• Lowest wattage that keeps you comfortable
• Thermostat that switches off once warm
• Fast warm-up so you run it for less time
• Heat only the room you use
• Timer or remote so it isn't left on

Running cost by wattage (26.32p/kWh)

The '1p per hour heater' myth

To cost 1p an hour at 26.32p per kWh, a heater would draw only about 38W, which is less than a light bulb and nowhere near enough to warm a room. These claims usually rely on unrealistic assumptions. Be wary of them.

Five ways to cut heating costs

• Heat the room you're in, not the whole house
• Use a thermostat and set it to about 19–20°C
• Close doors and draught-proof
• Warm up fast, then let it cycle
• Turn the central heating down a degree or two

What it costs to run (current UK prices)

At the Ofgem price cap of 26.32p per kWh (1 October to 31 December 2026), a 1200W heater like the K1 costs about 32p an hour at full power. Once the room is warm the thermostat switches the heater on and off, so in normal use it averages about 16p an hour.

Your own price may be a little higher or lower depending on your region and tariff. See how we calculate running costs or try the running cost calculator with your own unit rate.

Ways to cut heating costs that cost nothing

• Close doors to keep heat in the room you're using
• Draw curtains at dusk
• Block draughts under doors with a draught excluder
• Turn radiators off in rooms you don't use
• Lower your boiler thermostat by 1°C. The Energy Saving Trust says this can make a noticeable difference to bills

Why 'cheapest' isn't just about wattage

A 400W heater sounds cheaper, but if it can't warm the room you'll run it for hours and still feel cold. A 1200W heater with a thermostat warms the room quickly and then spends much of its time switched off.

The real cost is watts × hours × your unit rate. Fewer hours at a sensible wattage usually beats a tiny heater running all evening.

Be wary of 'energy-saving heater' claims

Some adverts claim a small heater will cut your bills by huge percentages. No electric heater is more than about 100% efficient at turning electricity into heat. Savings come from heating less space, not from magic technology. We publish our costing method so you can check our figures.

How the K1 compares with other heaters

Full-power costs worked out at 26.32p per kWh. Thermostats lower all of these in real use.

Using any electric heater safely

These tips follow UK fire-service and Electrical Safety First advice and apply to any portable heater, including ours:

• Plug the heater straight into a wall socket. Don't use an extension lead or adaptor; they can overheat.
• Keep it at least 1 metre from curtains, bedding, clothes and furniture.
• Stand it on a flat, hard, stable surface where it can't be knocked over.
• Never cover it or dry clothes on it.
• Switch it off at the wall when you go out.
• Check the plug and cable now and then. Stop using it if either is damaged or feels hot.
• Make sure you have a working smoke alarm on every floor. Many UK fire services fit them free for older residents.

When the K1 is not the right choice

We'd rather you buy the right heater than return ours. The K1 is probably not for you if:

• You want to replace central heating for the whole house. The K1 heats the room you're in, not every room at once.
• You only want to warm yourself in bed. An electric blanket at about 3p an hour is cheaper.
• You want to heat a large open-plan space over about 20 m² with one heater. Two K1s, or a bigger heater, will do a better job.