Heater Running Cost Calculator
Estimate electric heater running costs from appliance wattage, daily operating hours, and your current electricity tariff.
Key takeaways
- Electric heater costs rise quickly when power draw and overnight run time both increase.
- This calculator is useful for winter budgeting and comparing different heater sizes.
- The annual figure can help test whether insulation or an efficient upgrade might save more.
Heater details
Tariff assumptions
Running cost snapshot
$3.00
estimated daily running cost
Monthly cost
$90.00
Modelled period cost
$270.00
Annual cost
$1,095.00
Energy use
- Power draw2 kW
- Daily usage10 kWh
- Usage over 90 days900 kWh
How to use this result
- Match the wattage to the rating label on the appliance or product manual.
- Reduce the hours-per-day input to test overnight timers or seasonal usage changes.
- Use the annual figure to compare whether an efficient replacement would pay back faster.
What does this heater estimate tell you?
Use it to test realistic winter usage rather than maximum-nameplate scenarios only. Bedrooms, living rooms, and home offices often have very different usage patterns.
If your heater cycles on and off with a thermostat, reduce the daily run hours until the estimate aligns with how often it is actively heating.
What should you compare next?
FAQ
Heater calculator questions
What wattage should I use for a portable heater?
Most portable electric heaters in Australia run between 1200W and 2400W. Use the exact rating on the product label when possible.
Does thermostat cycling reduce cost?
Yes. If the heater does not run continuously, lower the hours-per-day input to reflect realistic on-time instead of the full time it is switched on.
Can I compare oil column and fan heaters here?
Yes. Enter the rated power draw for each model and compare the annual running cost with the same tariff and usage hours.