Plug-in heater use this winter

Google searches for “plug in heater” surged 500% this week compared with last week as Brits look for cheaper options to heat their home.

With last week’s announcement by the Chancellor of a £100 energy payment for around 20 million households in council tax bands A to D, many will be hoping for some relief from their bills. But for those relying on plug-in heaters to keep warm, that £100 may not go far.

At the current Ofgem energy electricity rate of 26.32p per kWh, running a typical 2kW heater for four hours a day costs £63.17 a month, so the £100 energy payment would cover just 47 days of plug-in heater use, meaning anyone that has begun to rely on a plug-in heater will have spent out their discount before Christmas arrives. 

The payment is also due to arrive from January, after many households have already started heating.

That’s why George Penny, Energy Expert and Director at The Solar Co, sets out six key tips for Brits looking to use a plug-in heater this winter:

“Plug-in heaters can save money when used sparingly, for example by heating the one room you’re sitting in while the rest of the house stays cooler. The problem is that they’re often switched on and forgotten. 

How much a plug-in heater costs depends on two things: the wattage and how long it’s running.

1. Choosing a heater with a thermostat could save around £16 a month

“A heater with a built-in thermostat cycles off once the room reaches the temperature you’ve set, rather than running flat out. If this trims runtime by a quarter, our 2kW example drops from £63.17 to £47.38 a month, saving nearly £16. For anyone buying a heater this winter, a thermostat and timer are well worth a few extra pounds.”

2. Using a timer can help avoid a £189.50 monthly bill from leaving your heater on all day

“The most common mistake is leaving a heater running while out, or while working from home with the door open. Run a 2kW heater for 12 hours a day and costs may quickly climb to £189.50 per month.

Use a timer plug or a built-in timer to limit the heater to when you’re actually in the room.”

3. Running heaters on an off-peak tariff could save £41.57 a month

“Households on smart or time-of-use tariffs can pay as little as 9p per kWh overnight, compared with 26.32p on a standard variable rate. Running the same 2kW heater for four hours at 9p costs £21.60 a month instead of £63.17, a saving of £41.57. Heaters with programmable timers make it easy to use cheaper periods, for example pre-warming a bedroom before bed. This only works if your tariff has cheaper time slots, so check yours first.” 

4. Plug-in heat costs around three times more than gas, so it only saves money if you heat fewer rooms

“Using a plug-in heater can seem cheaper than switching on the central heating, but it depends on how you use it. At electricity and gas rates of 26.32p and 7.97p per kWh, a plug-in heater costs roughly three times as much for the same amount of heat, assuming a gas boiler operating at 90% efficiency. A 2kW heater costs around 53p an hour, compared with approximately 18p for equivalent heat from that boiler.” 

5.  Never plug your heater into an extension lead, as overheating could cause a fire

“Plug-in heaters draw a lot of power, and using them with extension leads, particularly those with coiled reels, increases the risk of overheating. Always plug your heater directly into a wall socket, keep it well away from curtains and furniture, and never drape washing over it. 

“Government figures show space-heating appliances started 1,241 fires in England in 2025/26 – a reminder that keeping warm safely matters just as much as keeping costs down.”

6. Consider a heated throw, which costs just 8p for three hours, saving around £45 a month compared with a plug-in heater

“If you’re sitting still in the evening, heating the person is far cheaper than heating the room. Using a typical plug-in heater for three hours costs around £1.58, compared with just 8p for a heated throw. That’s a saving of £1.50 a night, or about £45 over a month of daily use. Costs vary depending on the model and setting, so check the label. Never leave a heated throw on unattended or use one that’s frayed or damaged.” 

Notes to editors
Calculations use the Ofgem price cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026: 26.32p per kWh for electricity and 7.97p per kWh for gas (average, Direct Debit, standard variable tariff). The main example is a 2kW (230V) heater running four hours a day for 30 days (240kWh). The 12-hour scenario assumes 720kWh a month. The £100 payment covers 47.5 days at four hours a day (£100 ÷ £2.11) and 190 hours of continuous use. The off-peak comparison assumes a 9p per kWh tariff, in line with Scottish Power EV Optimise and Intelligent Octopus Go. The thermostat saving assumes a 25% reduction in runtime, an illustrative estimate. The heated throw is assumed at 100W for three hours.