With winter here, many of us will be using our heaters to keep us warm.
We know that heaters uses energy to run, but do you know how much your electric heater is costing you?

There’s a study done by the sustainable by the Victoria sustainable energy authority released in 2002.
The results of that study for the cost of electric heaters are shown below with the prices adjusted to the energy cost in NSW in 2010.

Back then the average peak cost of electricity was 15 cents/kWh, in 2010 it is now 28 cents/kWh.

All monthly costs assume heating is used for 8 hours per day in Melbourne.

Running costs can vary considerably based on such factors as heater size and efficiency, thermostat setting, length of use and building efficiency.

Portable heaters

Hourly cost Monthly cost
Oil-filled column heater or fan heater (1.2 kW) 34c $80
Oil-filled column heater or fan heater (2.4 kW) 67c $158
Bar radiator/strip heater (1.2 kW) 34c $80
Bar radiator/strip heater (2.4 kW) 67c $158

Space heaters

The following figures are based on heating an area of 60 m2 to 21°C. Calculations for the size of your rooms can be estimated proportionately
from these. Most older homes would have costs towards the higher end of the range. Lower figures would apply to fully insulated houses.

Hourly cost Monthly cost
Reverse cycle air conditioner (1–2 star rating) 39c–50c $97–$121
Reverse cycle air conditioner (4–6 star rating) 22c–28c $56–$65
Off-peak heat bank 28c–35c $73–$101
Day rate fan heater 69c–88c $170–$213

Central heating

All figures are given for homes of 150 m2 with 2.4 m ceilings. Calculations for larger or smaller homes can be estimated proportionately from these.
Lower figures are for fully insulated houses. Energy smart homes can reduce these costs by up to 30%.
Note: in-slab heating runs 24 hours per day.

Hourly cost Monthly cost
In-slab heating (heating whole home to 18°C) 19c–28c $140–$205
In-slab heating
(heating living areas to 18°C, other areas to 16°C)
17c–21c $108–$155
Radiant ceiling heating (heating whole home to 18°C) 80c–112c $194–$281
Radiant ceiling heating
(heating whole home to 18°C, other areas to 16°C)
52c–80c $133–$190
Ducted reverse cycle air conditioning
(heating whole home to 21°C)
82c–118c $203–$293
Ducted reverse cycle air conditioning
(zoned system—bedrooms and living areas heated at separate times to 21°C)
49c–69c $118–$175

Edwin is the founder and editor of Little Handy Tips and Wollongong Fitness. He is also the developer for the Google Custom Search WordPress plugin and Custom About Author WordPress plugin. Find out more about him here.