Is it cheaper to use an electric heater or central heating?

With temperatures dropping way below freezing point, and so many people across the country struggling to afford energy costs, things are extremely dire this winter. While looking for the most cost-efficient ways to stay warm this winter, many of you might have come across the advice to use a heater instead of switching on the central heating. But the question here is if this substitution actually makes a difference.

This report by This is Money addresses the important conundrum of whether it is cheaper to use an electric heater or central heating.

Central heating versus electric heater

The report states that as per Energy Saving Trust, in an average household, over half the energy bill in winter is charged due to hot water and heating. A portable heater is technically way cheaper than any other alternative, and turning on the heating in the whole house can be extremely wasteful. But the fact remains that there is no easy way to determine which one is more energy efficient central heating or electric heater.

Here are some things you should consider before choosing which heater to buy.

• First, one demerit of fan heaters is that they give off heat that does not stay for longer. So, buy a heater if you are okay with the idea of short-term warmth.
• Again, how effectively a heater can warm up a room would depend a lot on how big the space is as well as the height of the ceiling. So, consider the space you want to use the heater in before spending your money.

Checking energy-efficiency

Whether substituting central heating with a heater saves you money will depend on your boiler's efficiency. Boilers use gas, which is cheaper than electricity at 10p per kilowatt hour, but operating costs can vary with different makes.

Joanna O'Loan, knowledge manager at Energy Saving Trust, weighs in on the question of energy efficiency between fan heater and central heating saying,

There are several factors that will affect this, but if you have gas central heating, it is generally advisable to use this over individual electric heaters, if you're looking to keep costs low.

Despite the recent price rises, gas is still roughly three times cheaper than electricity per unit. To use your central heating just for heating one room, we'd suggest using your radiator valves if you have them. Turn the radiator valve high in the room you're in and low or off in the rooms you're not using.

However, if your boiler is old and inefficient, your room is especially large or you don't have radiator valves, and your fan heater only needs to be on a few hours, then it may mean your boiler would use fewer units of energy than the electric fan would.

You'll get less heat from the electric fan but may be cheaper to use the fan heater sparingly.

To ensure that your house stays warm, check if your home is properly insulated. Cover any holes you might have, use curtains to keep out the cold, and properly close doors and windows.

Sources used:

This is Money: ‘Is it cheaper to use an electric heater to warm a room I'm working in instead of putting the central heating on?’