There are lots of great reasons why an electric-powered stove or fire could be a great option for your home. With the rising cost of energy, how much does a fire cost to run is a question we are asked quite regularly.
The answer is not as straightforward as you might think as a few factors like the kW (heat output) of the electric fire and how much your utility company charges for electricity have to be taken into consideration.
What is the kW of an Electric Fire?
This is how electrical power is quantified. The higher the kW, the more heat output the fire will produce and the quicker your room will heat up. It goes without saying that the higher the kW the more your electric fire will cost to run. Media wall electric fires, electric stoves, & hearth mounted electric fires start at 0.5kW and the maximum output of an electric fire in the UK is 2kW.
What are the Running Costs of an Electric Stove?
This is a typically difficult question to answer, specifically given everyone has differing energy tariffs, however; here is a quick overview of the cost to run an electric stove, we've provided you with costs with and without the heat turned on and a mixture of both so you get a rough idea of how to calculate what may be involved.
Example electric stove:
- Input 0.75kW (low) 1.5kW (high)
- Output 0.75-1.5kW depending on heat usage and effects
- 4-Hour Flame Effect Only - 2p
- 1-Hour Low Heat - 26p
- 1-Hour High Heat - 51p
- 4-Hours Thermostatically Controlled Heat* £1.02
* Figures and numbers are based on running the electric fire for 4 hours with the heat on for 50% duration of the cycle due to the thermostatic control and the flame effects will run for the full duration. Based on the average UK cost per unit of electricity (including VAT) as of 1st October 2022.
What are the Running Costs of a Media Wall Electric Fire?
We've done the same overview of the cost to run a media wall electric fire. The costs below show the use of the fire with and without the heat turned on and a mixture of both so you get a good idea of the costs.
Example electric stove:
- Input 1kW (low) 2kW (high)
- Output 1-2kW depending on heat usage and effects
- 4-Hour Flame Effect Only - 2p
- 1-Hour Low Heat - 36
- 1-Hour High Heat - 68p
- 4-Hours Thermostatically Controlled Heat* £1.36
*Figures and numbers are based on running the electric fire for 4 hours with the heat on for 50% duration of the cycle due to the thermostatic control and the flame effects will run for the full duration. Based on the average UK cost per unit of electricity (including VAT) as of 1st October 2022.
How Efficient are Electric Fires?
Electric fires offer 100% energy-efficiency because all of the energy they consume is converted to heat. Looking at other heating appliances for the home electric fires top the charts.
- Wood-burning eco stoves: 75-88%
- Low-efficiency gas fires: 50%
- High-efficiency gas fires: 90%
So... Are Electric Stoves & Fireplaces Cheap to Run?
We certainly think so! They also offer some fantastic flexibility, use the heater in winter and for warmer times of the year, the flame effect only can be used.
