Running costs
How much does a 2kW heater cost to run?
The short answer
Short answer: about 54p an hour at full power, at a unit rate of 27p per kWh. Here is the cost per day, week and month, and how to pay less.
Written and checked by the RapidHeat UK team · Last updated October 2026 · how we work out running costs
Key takeaways
- A 2kW heater at full power costs about 54p an hour at 27p/kWh.
- 8 hours a day at full power is about £4.32 a day, or around £30 a week.
- A thermostat cuts real use because the element switches off once the room is warm.
- In a small room, a smaller heater often does the job for less.
2kW heater cost table (27p/kWh, full power)
| Use | Per day | Per week | Per month (30 days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 54p | £3.78 | £16.20 |
| 3 hours a day | £1.62 | £11.34 | £48.60 |
| 5 hours a day | £2.70 | £18.90 | £81.00 |
| 8 hours a day | £4.32 | £30.24 | £129.60 |
These are worst-case figures. Rates change with the price cap and your tariff, so check the p/kWh on your bill. Try your own numbers in the running cost calculator.
The formula
Cost = kW × hours × unit rate. A 2kW heater for 3 hours at 27p/kWh is 2 × 3 × 27 = 162p, or £1.62.
2kW vs smaller heaters
| Heater power | Cost per hour at full power | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 500W | 14p | Desk or personal warmth |
| 1kW | 27p | Small bedroom or office |
| 1.5kW | 41p | Average room |
| 2kW | 54p | Larger or draughty room |
| 3kW | 81p | Big spaces, short bursts |
Five ways to pay less
- Choose a heater with a thermostat so it stops once the room is warm.
- Use a timer to warm the room before you use it, not all day.
- Close the door and curtains.
- Set 19–20°C rather than maximum.
- Match the heater to the room — a huge heater in a box room wastes nothing, but buys you nothing either.
RapidHeat ceramic heater
4.8/5 · 1,247 UK customers£49.95· £89.91 for two · £110.89 for three (about £36.96 each)
- Thermostat, timer and remote
- Warm room in about 5 minutes
- Free tracked UK delivery
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Where RapidHeat fits
RapidHeat is a compact ceramic heater for rooms up to about 12 m², with an adjustable thermostat and timer. Its cost per hour follows the same formula — the savings come from heating one room and letting the thermostat cycle, not from any magic. See prices.
Questions people ask
- How much does a 2kW heater cost per hour in the UK?
- At 27p per kWh, a 2kW heater running flat out uses 2 kWh in an hour and costs about 54p. Multiply 2 by your own unit rate to get your figure.
- Does a 2kW heater use 2kW all the time?
- Only if it has no thermostat or the room never reaches the set temperature. A thermostat switches the element off once the room is warm, so real use is often well below the maximum.
- Is a 2kW heater expensive to run for 8 hours?
- At full power for 8 hours it costs about £4.32 at 27p/kWh. Using a timer, a thermostat and a closed door usually brings that down a lot.
- Is a smaller heater cheaper to run?
- Per hour at full power, yes. A 1kW heater costs about 27p an hour. In a small room it can reach temperature and then cycle, so it is often enough without the higher draw.
RapidHeat ceramic heater
4.8/5 · 1,247 UK customers£49.95· £89.91 for two · £110.89 for three (about £36.96 each)
- Thermostat, timer and remote
- Warm room in about 5 minutes
- Free tracked UK delivery
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Perfect for my cold office
I have a small office with a door that gets really cold because the building management keeps the winter temperature far too low for comfort. I plugged this into the socket above my desk and now I am warm without anyone even knowing it is there. I love it.
Great in the bathroom
We use it to take the chill off the bathroom before the kids' bath time. Warms up fast and the timer is handy. Four stars only because I wish the display were a little dimmer at night.
Worth being straight about: RapidHeat is built for rooms up to about 12 m². It is not a replacement for central heating and it will not transform an open-plan lounge or an uninsulated garage. If it is not right for your room, send it back within 30 days.
Heat one room, not the whole house
Order RapidHeat today with free tracked UK delivery and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
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