United Kingdom Heating
How much does it cost to run an electric fire?
An electric fireplace is a 1,500 watt heater behind a flame effect. The flame effect alone (LEDs and a small motor) uses 10 to 20 watts, so with the heater off it costs almost nothing to run.
A 2 kW electric fire costs about 42p an hour to run in Great Britain at 26.32 pence per kWh. Running it 4 hours a day cycling 80% of the time comes to about £1.68 a day, £51.27 a month and £615.26 a year.
- Price: Ofgem cap, Oct to Dec 2026
- Wattage range with its source
- Checked 26 October 2026
Uses 6.4 kWh a day, 195 kWh a month, at 26.32 pence per kWh (Great Britain (price cap average)).
The dial places the daily cost between a 50 watt fan and a 4.5 kW water heater on 2.5 hours a day.
A 2 kW electric fire costs about 42p an hour to run in Great Britain at 26.32 pence per kWh. Running it 4 hours a day cycling 80% of the time comes to about £1.68 a day, £51.27 a month and £615.26 a year.
What this assumes
The default is a 2 kW electric fire running 4 hours a day, drawing full power 80% of the time it is switched on (the rest of the time a thermostat or sensor has it idle). Published typical ratings run from 1,000 to 2,000 watts. Your label or manual gives the exact figure, and the calculator takes it.
The price is the Ofgem price cap unit rate for 1 October to 31 December 2026, average for England, Scotland and Wales, paying by Direct Debit. The cap for 1 January to 31 March 2027 is announced in late November 2026. A fixed tariff, a time-of-use plan or a different payment method changes the rate, which is why the rate field is editable.
Cost by wattage and hours at the price cap rate
At 26.32p per kWh, running flat out. Multiply by the share of the time your thermostat keeps the element on.
| Power | 1 hour | 8 hours | 24 hours | A week at 4 hours a day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 kW | 26p | £2.11 | £6.32 | £7.37 |
| 2 kW | 53p | £4.21 | £12.63 | £14.74 |
How an electric fire uses electricity
The heater element in nearly every plug-in electric fireplace is 1,500 watts in North America (the outlet limit) and up to 2,000 watts in the UK. The flame display is separate and can be run on its own.
With the heater switched on and the thermostat set high the duty is close to 80%, which is what this page assumes. The "supplemental zone heating" claim in adverts simply means it heats one room, which is true of every space heater.
Ways to cut the cost
- Run the flame effect alone when you want the look, not the heat.
- Use the thermostat rather than the high and low switch.
Questions people ask
Does an electric fireplace use a lot of electricity?
With the heater on, the same as any 1,500 watt space heater. With only the flame effect on, about 15 watts, less than a light bulb.
Is an electric fireplace cheaper than gas?
Per unit of heat, gas is usually cheaper. An electric fireplace wins when you only need to warm one room for a few hours and want zero installation.
Other heating costs
More in the UK
Sources
The electricity price on this page is read from the data file that also lists the release it came from. The wattage range is a published typical range, not a measurement of your appliance.