The Burning Question: Are Electric Fires Expensive to Run?
Let’s address the question right away: are electric fires expensive to run? The honest and most accurate answer is, well, it depends. While it’s true that on a per-unit basis, electricity is typically more expensive than gas, this single fact doesn’t tell the whole story. Whether an electric fire will burn a hole in your pocket or prove to be a surprisingly economical heating solution really hinges on a variety of crucial factors, including how you use it, the type of fire you own, your electricity tariff, and the overall energy efficiency of your home.
Many people are surprised to learn that when used intelligently, an electric fire can actually be a very cost-effective way to stay warm. The key is to see them not necessarily as a replacement for a whole-house central heating system, but as a powerful tool for targeted, on-demand heating. This article will delve deep into the running costs of electric fires, providing you with all the information, calculations, and comparisons you need to make an informed decision for your home.
How to Calculate the Exact Running Cost of Your Electric Fire
Before we dive into comparisons and nuanced scenarios, it’s incredibly empowering to know how to calculate the cost yourself. Thankfully, the maths is surprisingly straightforward. All you need are two pieces of information: the power rating of your fire and the price you pay for electricity.
Step 1: Find the Power Rating of Your Fire (in kW)
Every electric appliance has a power rating, measured in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW). One kilowatt is equal to 1,000 watts. Most electric fires will have this information clearly displayed on a label on the unit itself, in the instruction manual, or on the product’s online specification page.
- Most electric fires have two heat settings, typically 1kW (1,000W) and 2kW (2,000W).
- The “flame effect only” mode uses a tiny fraction of this, often just a few watts for the LED lights.
Step 2: Find Your Electricity Cost (in pence per kWh)
This is the price your energy supplier charges you for one kilowatt of electricity used for one hour (kWh). You can find this figure on your latest electricity bill or by logging into your online account with your provider. It’s the “unit rate” you’re looking for. For our calculations, we’ll use an example figure of 28 pence per kWh, which is a common rate in the UK, but you should absolutely substitute this with your own specific rate for an accurate result.
Step 3: Do the Calculation
The formula is simple:
Power of Fire (kW) x Time Used (Hours) x Cost per kWh (Pence) = Total Cost
Let’s run through an example. Imagine you’re using a standard electric fire on its highest 2kW setting for three hours in the evening.
- Calculation: 2 kW x 3 hours x 28p/kWh = 168 pence
- Total Cost: £1.68 for three hours of powerful heating.
Running Cost Examples Table
To make this even clearer, here is a table that breaks down the potential running costs based on different settings and usage times. This really highlights how the cost can vary.
| Fire Setting | Power Rating | Cost per Hour | Cost for 3 Hours | Cost per Week (3 hours/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flame Effect Only | ~0.01 kW (10W) | ~0.28p | ~0.84p | ~£0.06 |
| Low Heat Setting | 1 kW | 28p | 84p | £5.88 |
| High Heat Setting | 2 kW | 56p | £1.68 | £11.76 |
*Costs are illustrative, based on an example electricity rate of 28p/kWh. Please check your own bill for your exact rate.
As you can see, the cost for just the ambient flame effect is incredibly low, making it a very cheap way to add a cosy atmosphere to a room year-round. The heating costs, while more significant, are still manageable, especially when you consider how they are used.
Key Factors That Determine Your Electric Fire Running Costs
The calculation above is the foundation, but the real-world cost is influenced by a range of factors. Understanding these will help you use your electric fire in the most economical way possible.
Point-of-Use Efficiency: The Ace Up the Sleeve
One of the most significant advantages of an electric fire is its efficiency. Virtually 100% of the electricity it consumes is converted directly into heat at the point of use. There is no energy lost through flues, chimneys, or pipes, which is a common issue with gas central heating systems, where heat can be lost from the boiler and the pipework running through the house. This means that every penny you spend on electricity for your fire is going directly into warming your room.
The Power of Intelligent Controls: Thermostats and Timers
A simple “on/off” electric heater can indeed be expensive if left to run unchecked. However, modern electric fires are far more sophisticated.
- Thermostats: A fire with a thermostat is a game-changer for cost efficiency. You can set your desired room temperature (e.g., 21°C), and the fire will automatically switch the heating element off once that temperature is reached. It will only turn back on periodically to top up the heat and maintain the temperature. This is far cheaper than a fire that runs its heater continuously.
- Timers: A timer allows you to program the fire to switch on and off at specific times. For instance, you could set it to come on for an hour before you wake up, so you get out of bed into a warm room, without it running all night.
Zonal Heating: The Smartest Way to Use an Electric Fire
This is perhaps the most crucial concept for understanding the economy of electric fires. Instead of heating your entire house with central heating, you use the electric fire to heat only the room you are currently in. This is called zonal heating.
Consider this scenario: You’re spending the evening watching a film in the living room. Is it cheaper to:
- Turn on your gas central heating, which has to heat the boiler, pump hot water through pipes (losing some heat along the way) to warm up radiators in the hall, kitchen, bedrooms, and the living room?
- Switch on your 2kW electric fire in the living room for a couple of hours to make that one space cosy and warm?
In many cases, especially for shorter periods, option 2 is significantly cheaper. You’re concentrating the heat exactly where you need it, when you need it. This targeted approach is where electric fires really excel and can lead to substantial savings on your overall energy bill.
Your Home’s Insulation
How well your home retains heat plays a massive role. A well-insulated room with double glazing and no draughts will heat up quickly and stay warm for longer. This means the thermostat on your electric fire will switch the heating element off for longer periods, drastically reducing its running cost. Conversely, in a draughty, poorly insulated room, the fire will have to work continuously to combat the heat loss, making it much more expensive to run.
How Do Electric Fires Compare to Other Heating Methods?
To get a full picture, it’s useful to compare the running costs and features of electric fires against other common heating methods.
Electric Fires vs. Gas Central Heating
Gas is generally cheaper per kWh than electricity. This means that for heating an entire house over a long period, gas central heating is almost always the more economical choice. However, as we’ve discussed, electric fires are not designed to compete on that level. Their strength is in supplemental, zonal heating. Using an electric fire to warm your living room for three hours can be cheaper than firing up the entire central heating system just for one room.
Electric Fires vs. Gas Fires
This is a more direct comparison. A modern inset gas fire might have a heat output of around 4kW. While the cost of gas per kWh is lower, gas fires are not 100% efficient; some heat is always lost up the chimney or flue. They also require an annual service by a Gas Safe registered engineer, which is an additional cost. Electric fires require no servicing, have no flue losses, and are generally cheaper to install. The running cost comparison will depend on the exact efficiency of the gas fire and the respective unit prices for gas and electricity.
Electric Fires vs. Wood Burning Stoves
Wood burners have a wonderful aesthetic, but they come with high upfront costs for the stove and installation (including the flue liner). The running cost depends entirely on your source of fuel. If you have access to free, seasoned wood, they can be very cheap to run. If you have to buy kiln-dried logs, the cost can quickly add up. They also require regular cleaning and maintenance. Electric fires, by contrast, offer instant heat and control at the flick of a switch, with no mess or fuss.
Heating Method Comparison Table
| Heating Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Electric Fire | 100% efficient at point of use; Low installation cost; No servicing; Excellent for zonal heating; Great controls (thermostat/timer); Flame effect for ambience. | Higher electricity unit cost; Can be expensive if used as a primary heat source for a whole house. |
| Gas Central Heating | Cheapest way to heat an entire home; Lower gas unit cost. | Energy lost through pipes/boiler; Annual servicing required; Slower to heat a specific room; Inefficient for heating just one room. |
| Wood Burning Stove | Potentially low fuel cost; Great ambience; Can operate during a power cut. | High installation cost; Requires cleaning and maintenance; Fuel storage needed; Slower to control heat output. |
Tips for Running Your Electric Fire Economically
If you’ve chosen an electric fire, here are some actionable tips to ensure you’re getting warmth and comfort without the worry of a huge bill.
- Embrace Zonal Heating: Make it your mantra. Only heat the room you’re in. Close the door to keep the warmth contained.
- Use the Thermostat: Don’t just turn it on and off. Set a comfortable temperature and let the fire regulate itself. You’ll use far less electricity.
- Master the Timer: Program your fire to pre-heat a room before you use it, so you’re not tempted to leave it on for longer than necessary.
- Draught-Proof Your Room: A simple draught excluder for a door or thermal lining for curtains can make a huge difference to how much heat is retained, reducing the workload on your fire.
- Use the Flame Effect: On milder days when you don’t need heat but want a cosy atmosphere, use the “flame effect only” mode. It costs next to nothing to run.
- Pair with Solar Panels: If you have solar panels on your roof, running your electric fire during the day when the sun is out can be effectively free. This is a brilliant synergy that makes electric heating exceptionally cheap.
The Final Verdict
So, we return to our original question: are electric fires expensive to run?
The conclusion is clear: They can be, if used improperly. If you attempt to heat a large, draughty home solely with multiple electric fires running 24/7, you will almost certainly face a high electricity bill.
However, when used as intended—as a highly efficient, convenient, and controllable source of supplemental or zonal heat—they can be a wonderfully economical choice. The ability to instantly heat the single room you are occupying, rather than your entire home, is their greatest economic strength. The cost of running an electric fire in your lounge for an evening is often much less than the cost of firing up your central heating for the same purpose.
Ultimately, an electric fire’s value isn’t just in its running cost, but in its convenience, style, and the targeted comfort it provides. By understanding how to calculate its cost and by using its smart features effectively, you can enjoy all the warmth and ambience of a beautiful fire, confident that you are doing so in a smart and cost-effective way.