Quarter of households paying up to four times more for heat
A new national energy study from Utilita has revealed that 25% of UK households with gas central heating are opting to use plug-in electric heaters this winter – and in doing so will pay up to four times more to heat their homes.
The findings form part of Utilita’s Power Price List series, which calculates the running costs of 76 commonly used household electricals. The data shows the cost of heating a single room with an electric portable heater ranges between 3 and 3.7 times more than using gas central heating.
Key findings:
- 25% of households will pay as much as four times more for heat by using electric plug-in heaters.
- 21% incorrectly believe portable heaters are cheaper to run.
- 38% own at least one electric heater despite having central heating.
- 15% of those using plug-in heaters say they do so all winter, leaving central heating off completely.
When asked why they opt for plug-in heaters, 54% said they only need to heat one room, 45% cited instant heat, and 34% assumed they were cheaper to run.
“Plug-in heaters cost significantly more to operate,” explains Dimitrios Stefanoglou, Sustainable Innovation Analyst at Utilita. “On average, running an electric portable heater costs around £3 per day, compared to just £0.90 per day for gas central heating of one room. Heating an average 17.1m² living room with an electric portable heater would cost £400.46 a year, compared to £136.17 a year with a 20-year-old boiler, or £108.65 with a modern system and smart controls.”
The environmental impact is also significant. Using an electric heater instead of gas central heating adds approximately 34 kg of CO₂ emissions per living room, per year -the equivalent to driving 127 additional miles in a car.
The study also revealed what inspired consumer behaviours: 39% of heater owners were encouraged by friends or family, and 35% were influenced by TV advertising.
