With energy costs a key concern for homes and businesses, it’s no surprise that people want to understand exactly how much their heating costs to run. Electric panel heaters are a popular choice for offices, public facilities and commercial spaces, thanks to their slim design, ease of installation and precise control. But how much do they actually cost to run day to day?
In this guide, we’ll explain what affects running costs, how to calculate them, and how electric panel heaters can be used efficiently to keep spaces comfortable without wasting energy.
What Is an Electric Panel Heater?
An electric panel heater is a slim, wall-mounted heating unit designed to gently warm the air in a room. Unlike fan heaters, which blow warm air and can be noisy, panel heaters work quietly and provide a steady, consistent level of heat. This makes them a popular choice for places where comfort matters and background noise needs to be kept to a minimum, such as offices, meeting rooms and reception areas. Their simple design also means they blend neatly into most spaces without taking up floor space.
One of the main reasons people choose panel heaters is the level of control they offer. They’re ideal for providing heat exactly where it’s needed, rather than heating an entire building all day. Many models include thermostats and timers, allowing you to adjust settings based on how the space is used. This targeted approach helps maintain comfort while keeping energy use and running costs under control.
What Affects the Cost of Running an Electric Panel Heater?
The cost of running an electric panel heater can vary quite a bit, depending on how and where it’s used. While panel heaters are generally straightforward to run, a few key factors play a big role in determining your overall energy costs. Understanding these makes it easier to choose the right heater and use it more efficiently.
Some of the main things that affect running costs include:
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Wattage of the heater
Higher wattage heaters use more electricity, especially when running at full power
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How long it runs
The longer the heater is switched on, the more energy it will consume
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Electricity tariff
Your cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) has a direct impact on what you pay
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Room size and insulation
Smaller, well-insulated rooms need less heat to stay comfortable
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Controls
Built-in thermostats and timers help avoid wasting energy by heating only when needed
In general, a panel heater that’s properly sized for the room and fitted with effective controls will be far cheaper to run than one that’s too powerful or left on unnecessarily. Using it in a well-insulated space and adjusting settings to match actual use can also make a noticeable difference to running costs over time.
How to Calculate Running Costs Simply
Working out how much an electric panel heater costs to run is easier than you might think. You don’t need any specialist knowledge or complicated calculators, just a few basic details about the heater and your electricity tariff. Once you’ve done it once, it’s easy to repeat for different heaters or usage patterns.
Start by checking the heater’s power rating, which is usually shown in watts. To keep things simple, convert this to kilowatts by dividing by 1,000. So a 1,000-watt heater becomes 1kW. Then multiply the kW rating by the number of hours the heater is used, and multiply that figure by your electricity unit rate.
For example, a 1kW heater running for 3 hours at 30p per kWh would cost:
1 × 3 × £0.30 = 90p per day
If the heater was used for 20 days in a month, that would come to around £18 for the month. This quick calculation gives a realistic idea of what to expect, making it easier to manage energy use and avoid surprises on your bill.
Electric Panel Heaters in Commercial and Public Spaces
In commercial and public buildings, electric panel heaters are often used as a form of zone heating rather than to heat an entire building all at once. This allows specific areas of the building, to be warmed only when they’re actually in use. It’s a flexible approach that works well in buildings with different room sizes and varying usage patterns. Panel heaters are also easy to install, which makes them a practical option for retrofitting existing spaces.
Because these areas aren’t always occupied, panel heaters are usually switched on only when needed. This kind of targeted control helps keep energy use in check and avoids heating spaces when they’re not in use. In buildings where occupancy changes throughout the day, it can lead to noticeable savings on running costs while still keeping people comfortable.
Are Electric Panel Heaters Energy Efficient?
Electric panel heaters are often considered efficient because almost all the electricity they use is turned directly into heat, with very little wasted energy. The real difference in efficiency comes down to how that heat is controlled and used within the space. When a heater is well matched to the room size, it can provide steady warmth without working harder than necessary.
When combined with decent insulation and sensible usage, panel heaters can be a practical and cost-effective heating option for both domestic and commercial spaces. They also require very little ongoing maintenance, which helps keep long-term costs predictable.
Electric Panel Heaters Compared to Other Heating Options
When compared to fan heaters, panel heaters are noticeably quieter and deliver a more even level of warmth rather than bursts of hot air. This makes them more comfortable for longer periods of use, especially in offices or shared spaces. Unlike central heating systems, panel heaters allow you to heat individual rooms separately, rather than warming the entire building at once.
This room-by-room control helps reduce wasted energy in areas that aren’t being used. It’s particularly useful in buildings where different spaces are occupied at different times of the day. Over time, this flexibility can lead to better energy management and lower running costs.
We stock electric panel heaters from leading brands including ATC, Consort, Dimplex, Dryflow, and Hyco, giving you the flexibility to choose the right brand and model for your specific requirements. Whether you need compact units for smaller rooms or higher-output heaters for larger commercial spaces, our range covers different budgets and performance needs.
Sustainability and Long-Term Value
From a sustainability point of view, electric panel heaters can support a more responsible approach to heating when they’re used thoughtfully. Heating only the spaces that need it helps reduce overall energy demand, which is especially important in larger buildings. Electric heating also works well alongside renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind-generated electricity.
Panel heaters are built to last and don’t require frequent servicing or replacement parts. This long lifespan, combined with low maintenance needs, helps reduce waste and supports better long-term value. For many buildings, they offer a reliable and environmentally conscious heating solution that balances comfort, efficiency and practicality.
In summary, the cost of running an electric panel heater comes down to a few simple factors, including its wattage, how long it’s switched on and how efficiently it’s used day to day. While electricity prices do affect overall costs, good controls like thermostats and timers make a big difference, helping avoid wasted energy. Using panel heaters to warm only the spaces that are actually in use can keep running costs surprisingly manageable. For many commercial and public buildings, this targeted approach offers a flexible and efficient way to maintain comfort without the need to heat entire areas unnecessarily.
If you’re exploring heating options for your space, take a look at our range of electric panel heaters designed for reliable performance and efficient control.
Not quite sure what you need? Just get in touch, our team is always happy to talk through your requirements and help you find the right fit based on your room size, how you'll be using it and keeping those energy costs in check.
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