Which electric fire is the cheapest to run?

Find out which electric fire is the cheapest to run in your home.

Which electric fire has the cheapest running costs?

The cheapest electric fire to run is generally the appliance with the lowest heat output when the heater is operating. Most electric fires have a 1–2kW heater, so at an electricity rate of 34p/kWh, a 1kW heater costs approximately 34p per hour, while a 2kW heater costs approximately 68p per hour.

But this alone doesn't decide which electric fire is the most economical to run. Other factors, including room size, thermostat control and flame-only operation can all affect your overall running costs.

In this article, we'll explore all of the considerations for electric fire running costs in more detail.

Working out electric fire running costs

When it comes to comparing home heating costs, electric fires are one of the easiest heating appliances to measure. As a result, it’s also very easy to calculate which electric fire is the cheapest to run.

Since electric fires are 100% efficient at the point of use – nothing is burnt and very little energy is lost while the fire is in use – the running costs are simple to calculate.

How to work out how cheap an electric fire is to run

To calculate how much it will cost to run an electric fire you first need to know the heat output of the electric fire in question. You can then use a very simple formula to work out electric fire running costs:

Running cost = appliance power (kW) × electricity price (p/kWh) × hours used

Electric fires usually have a heat output of between 1kW and 2kW. For this example, we’ll say an electric fire has a 1.5kW heat output. That means it will use 1.5kWh of electricity for every hour that it's running at full power. So our running costs are:

1.5 x your electricity unit price x the number of hours the fire will be in use

If we’re paying 34p per kWh for electricity and we use the fire for three hours, the running costs will be £1.53.

Explore this in more detail in our guide on how much electric fires cost to run.

How much does an electric fire cost to run per hour?

The cost of running an electric fire for an hour mainly depends on the heat output of the electric fire and your electricity tariff. In the example we gave above of a  34p/kWh electricity tariff, a 1kW electric fire costs 34p per hour when heating continuously, while a 2kW fire costs 68p per hour.

Electric fire running costs by heat output

The electric fire running cost comparison table below shows the estimated cost of running an electric fire at full power for one hour, three hours per day and 30 days, based on an electricity price of 34p/kWh.

Cost comparison table based on electricity costing 34p per kWh.

Making your electric fire cheaper to run

The beauty of an electric fire is that you can create a cosy atmosphere without using the heater at all. With realistic LED flame effects, you can get a homely look and feel in your home while reducing your electric fire running costs to practically nothing.

You could have an electric fire flame effect running all day and it would cost just a few pence. For example, if the flame-effect LEDs use 5W, running it continuously for 24 hours would consume 0.12kWh. At 34p/kWh, that's around 4p per day.

How to choose an electric fire that’s cheapest to run

Since electric fires are so transparent when it comes to cost, the easiest way to choose an electric fire that’s cheapest to run is to choose one with the smallest heat output. The smaller the heat output, the less it will cost to run. Unfortunately, that might be a false economy if the appliance is creating enough heat for your room.

While a lower-power electric fire will use less electricity per hour, that doesn't necessarily make it the cheapest choice for your home. If a smaller heater doesn't provide enough warmth, you may need to run it for longer, potentially cancelling out some of the savings.

So what other steps can you take to ensure you’re buying an electric fire that’s cheap to run?

Choose an electric fire with an independent LED flame effect

The running costs of LED lights are practically nothing. Make sure your electric fire comes with an LED flame effect that can be used independently of the heater. That way you can enjoy a cosy atmosphere at a very low cost even when you don’t want to use the heater itself.

Choose an electric fire with a timer

A timer function can help you to make rooms comfortable for your arrival and help you to avoid overusing your appliance. Plan to have your electric fire switch on just before you get up in the morning or when you're due home on a winter's evening. This helps to keep costs down while also giving you greater control over how and when you're using heat.

Choose an electric fire with an adjustable thermostat

With an adjustable thermostat on your electric fire, you can make sure you stop paying for heat as soon as your room is warm enough. Simply set the thermostat to the right temperature for your needs and the heat will switch off as soon as the room warms up to the perfect level.

Discover some economical electric fires

Let's take a look at some of the cheapest to run electric fires in the UK at the moment.

Ezee Glow 60” Celestial

With a choice of 1.4kW or 1.6kW heat output, the Ezee Glow Celestial gives you the flexibility to create the right amount of heat for your space. This is enhanced by a timer and adjustable thermostat, as well as the independent flame effect. Its relatively low heat output, independent flame effect and timer make it a practical option if you're looking for media wall fires with low running costs.

• 1.4kW-1.6kW heat output
• Economical LED flames
• Independent flame effect
• 7-day timer function
• Remote control

Ezee Glow Grand Zara 60″

With its 1.6kW heat output, the Ezee Glow Grand Zara brings economical warmth to larger spaces. It offers a flame-only setting, timer and thermostatic control. This appliance's flexible installation options also mean you can choose to have it as a built-in electric fire or wall-mounted electric fire.

• 1.6kW heat output
• Low running cost LED flame effect
• Flame-only setting
• 7-day timer
• Remote control

Take a closer look

Ezee Glow Pulse Deep Inset

With a maximum heat output of 1.2kW, the Ezee Glow Pulse Deep Inset is one of the smallest heat output options available. That means it offers very low running costs, which are further reduced if you take advantage of the flame only setting. This appliance slots directly into a standard fireplace opening.

• 1.2kW heat output
• Choice of 11+ low running cost LED flame colours
• Flame-only setting
• 7-day timer and adjustable thermostat
• Remote control and smart app control

Ellere Media Wall 130

The Ellere media wall fire's cost-effective features include its open-window setting, independent LED flames and an adjustable thermostat. You can also choose between a 1.4kW and 1.6kW heat output, giving you greater control over running costs.

• 1.4kW-1.6kW heat output
• 144 low-cost flame effect options
• Flame-only setting
• 7-day timer and adjustable thermostat
• Open-window setting to save energy

How to reduce your electric fire running costs

Whichever electric fire you choose, there are some simple steps you can take to minimise the cost of running an electric fire. To keep running costs as low as possible:

• Use the lowest comfortable thermostat setting.
• Use a timer or schedule so you're only heating the room when you need to.
• Turn the heater off when the room is comfortable.
• Use flame-only mode when you don't need extra warmth.
• Close doors in your house to retain heat in the room.
• Avoid heating an empty room.
• Check you're on the best electricity tariff for your requirements.

Find the cheapest electric fire for your home

See which electric fire is the cheapest to run in your home by browsing our full range of electric fires.