APPLIANCE COMPARISON · OCT–DEC 2026

Oil-filled radiator vs electric fan heater: which costs less to run?

At 26.32p per kWh, an oil-filled radiator and an electric fan heater cost the same at full power: about 53p per hour.

Last updated 11 October 2026GB average price-cap rate, October–December 2026, Direct Debit, 0% VAT

OIL-FILLED RADIATOR

53pper hour at 2,000 W

ELECTRIC FAN HEATER

53pper hour at 2,000 W

DIFFERENCE

Noneat the same power setting

Side by side

**Oil-filled radiator and electric fan heater running costs**Typical figures at 26.32p per kWh (GB average price-cap rate, October–December 2026, Direct Debit, 0% VAT). Running costs exclude the standing charge.
Measure	Oil-filled radiator	Electric fan heater
Rated power	2,000 W	2,000 W
Cost per hour at full power	53p	53p
One typical use	1 evening, 3 hours	1 evening, 2 hours
Cost per use	£1.58 (6.00 kWh)	£1.05 (4.00 kWh)
Assumed use a week	7 evenings	7 evenings
Cost a year at that use	£576	£384

Usage assumptions: Oil-filled radiator: Three hours a day at full power.Electric fan heater: Two hours a day on the 2 kW setting.These are illustrations, not measured averages.

What the difference means for heating a room

Watt for watt, every portable electric heater turns electricity into heat at the same rate, so at the same setting they cost the same per hour. The difference is delivery: an oil-filled radiator warms up slowly and keeps giving off heat after its element switches off; a fan heater warms a room quickly.

The yearly figures above use different hours for each appliance, so compare the hourly cost for the same length of use.

Work out your own costs

Each appliance page has a calculator: enter your own wattage or energy label figure, how long you use it, and your region or unit rate.

Oil-filled radiator calculator Electric fan heater calculator

Unit rates vary by region: this period they run from 25.36p per kWh in East Midlands to 27.86p in Merseyside and Northern Wales. Electricity prices per kWh →

Questions

Is an oil-filled radiator cheaper to run than an electric fan heater?

Neither: at the same power setting they cost the same per hour. At 26.32p per kWh, an oil-filled radiator and an electric fan heater cost the same at full power: about 53p per hour. Watt for watt, every portable electric heater turns electricity into heat at the same rate, so at the same setting they cost the same per hour. The difference is delivery: an oil-filled radiator warms up slowly and keeps giving off heat after its element switches off; a fan heater warms a room quickly.

How much do they cost a year?

At the usage each page assumes, about £576 a year for an oil-filled radiator and £384 for an electric fan heater (October–December 2026 GB average rate). For an oil-filled radiator: three hours a day at full power. For an electric fan heater: two hours a day on the 2 kW setting.

Does where I live change which is cheaper?

No. Both run on electricity, so a higher or lower unit rate changes both costs in the same proportion. The cheaper appliance stays cheaper; only the pence change. Your region, tariff and how long you run each appliance change the actual amounts.

About these figures

Running cost is energy used × unit rate. Costs at full power assume the appliance draws its full rating the whole time; thermostats and programmes often switch elements on and off, so real use can be lower. Power ratings and energy label figures are examples from the sources below, not a measured UK average.

More comparisons

Sources

De’Longhi Dragon 4 oil-filled radiator 2kW TRD40820T ↗Maximum 2,000 W, minimum 900 W, three power settings.
De’Longhi Dragon 4 Pro oil-filled radiator 2.5kW TRDSX41025E.WB ↗Maximum 2,500 W, minimum 1,100 W.
Energy Saving Trust: electric heating ↗Running costs of portable electric heaters compared with main heating.
Dimplex flat fan heater 2kW ↗2,000 W with two heat settings.
Igenix IG9022 2kW fan heater user manual (PDF) ↗Low 1,200 W, high 2,000 W.
Ofgem: energy price cap unit rates and standing charges ↗GB average electricity unit rate and VAT basis, October–December 2026.

Last updated 11 October 2026. Figures are dated benchmarks taken from the sources above. How we use sources →