APPLIANCE RUNNING COSTS · OCT–DEC 2026
How much does an oil-filled radiator cost to run?
Oil-filled radiators heat up slowly and keep giving off warmth after the element switches off, but each kilowatt-hour costs the same as with any other electric heater. At the GB average price-cap electricity rate of 26.32p per kWh for October–December 2026, an oil-filled radiator costs about 53p an hour at full power, or £1.58 for a typical 3-hour evening.
PER HOUR
53pat 2,000 W, full powerPER EVENING
£1.586.00 kWh over 3 hoursPER WEEK
£11.057 evenings a week (assumed)PER YEAR
£5762,190 kWh at the assumed useWork out your own cost
Choose your region or type in your own unit rate, then change the wattage and hours to match your appliance and how you use it. It starts with a week at our assumed use, averaged to hours a day.
42 kWh over 7 days · about £1.58 a day
How much electricity it uses
- The De’Longhi Dragon 4 is rated at 2,000 W with a 900 W minimum setting; the Dragon 4 Pro runs from 1,100 W to 2,500 W.
- Once the room reaches the thermostat temperature the element cycles on and off, so cost at full power for every hour is an upper estimate.
- The Energy Saving Trust says portable electric heaters can be expensive to run because electricity costs more per unit of heat than main heating systems.
| Example | Rated power | Per hour | Per evening | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower | 900 W | 24p | 71p | £259 |
| Typical | 2,000 W | 53p | £1.58 | £576 |
| Higher | 2,500 W | 66p | £1.97 | £721 |
Usage assumption: Three hours a day at full power. This is our illustration, not a measured average; change it in the calculator.
What drives the cost
- Power setting and thermostat.
- Room size and insulation: a draughty room keeps the element on longer.
How it compares
| Appliance | Typical use | Energy | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil-filled radiator | 1 evening, 3 hours | 6.00 kWh | £1.58 |
| Electric fan heater | 1 evening, 2 hours | 4.00 kWh | £1.05 |
| Convector heater | 1 evening, 2 hours | 4.00 kWh | £1.05 |
| Electric blanket | 1 night, 1 hour | 0.15 kWh | 3.9p |
Ways to spend less
- Use the lowest power setting that keeps you warm and a timer to avoid heating an empty room.
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. See every region’s rate →
Questions
How much does an oil-filled radiator cost to run per hour?
At 26.32p per kWh (the GB average price-cap rate, October–December 2026, Direct Debit, 0% VAT), an oil-filled radiator rated at 2,000 W costs about 53p an hour at full power. Models from 900 W to 2,500 W cost 24p to 66p an hour.
How much does an oil-filled radiator cost to run a year?
It depends on how much you use it. Our assumption is three hours a day at full power. At 26.32p per kWh that comes to about £576 a year (2,190 kWh). Change the hours or uses in the calculator to match your own.
Are oil-filled radiators cheaper to run than fan heaters?
Not per kilowatt-hour: both turn electricity into heat at about the same rate. An oil-filled radiator can feel more even and keep warming after its thermostat clicks off, but a 2 kW model costs the same per hour at full power as a 2 kW fan heater.
Does the cost depend on where I live?
Yes, a little. Price-cap electricity unit rates for October–December 2026 range from 25.36p per kWh in East Midlands to 27.86p in Merseyside and Northern Wales. Pick your region in the calculator, or enter the unit rate from your bill if you are on a fixed or time-of-use tariff.
About these figures
Running costs are energy used × unit rate. They exclude the daily standing charge, which you pay whether or not the appliance runs. Costs per hour assume the appliance draws its full rated power the whole time; many appliances cycle on and off, so real use is often lower. Power ratings and energy figures are examples from the sources below, not a measured UK average.
Other appliances
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.
- 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 →