How much does it cost to run a electric fireplace? (2026 price cap)

Typical rating and how we worked this out

This page uses a typical rating of 1.8kW for a electric fireplace; published figures for this appliance range from 1kW to 2kW. Most electric fireplaces separate the flame-effect light — which draws only a few watts — from the fan-heater element, which does almost all the work; running the flame effect alone without the heater costs very little. The running cost follows the same formula used across this site: watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × unit rate. Typical use is modelled as 2 hours a day with the heater on, which is how the per-day, per-week and per-year figures above were calculated — see the cost-to-run calculator to change the wattage, hours or region yourself.

Rate used: Ofgem price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026, GB average electricity — 26.32p/kWh (excl. VAT, removed 1 Oct 2026–31 Mar 2027).

Cost by region

Same appliance, same use — ranked most to least expensive by region under the price cap:

East Midlands is cheapest at £333 a year; Merseyside and Northern Wales is most expensive at £366 a year — a gap of £32.85 for identical use.

How a electric fireplace compares with similar appliances

Ranked by typical annual cost in heating & cooling, GB average:

• electric fireplace — £346 a year (this page)
• electric fan heater (2kW) — £384 a year
• immersion heater — £288 a year
• infrared heating panel — £269 a year
• halogen heater — £231 a year
• dehumidifier — £173 a year

Three practical ways to cut the cost

1. Run the flame-effect visual on its own, without the heater, for ambience at low cost
2. Use it to heat the one room you are in rather than as whole-house heating
3. Check the thermostat cycles the heater rather than leaving it on constant maximum

FAQs

How much does it cost to run a electric fireplace for an hour?

47p at the GB-average rate (26.32p/kWh, 1.8kW). One typical use — 2 hours a day with the heater on — costs closer to 95p.

How much does a electric fireplace cost to run per year?

Around £346 a year at the GB-average rate, assuming 2 hours a day with the heater on — about £6.65 a week.

Which UK region is cheapest to run a electric fireplace in?

East Midlands, at £333 a year, against £366 in Merseyside and Northern Wales — £32.85 apart for identical use, purely from the regional rate.

Does the exact wattage of my electric fireplace change the cost much?

Yes — ratings range 1kW–2kW, so the top of that range costs about 2.0x the bottom. This page uses 1.8kW; check your own rating plate.

Does the October 2026 price cap affect this figure?

Yes — figures use the Ofgem cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026. Electricity excludes VAT (removed 1 Oct 2026–31 Mar 2027); gas includes 5%. See the price cap page for the full breakdown.

Sources

• Heatable — how much energy do household appliances use — wattage and usage figures for this appliance.
• Ofgem — Energy price cap unit rates and standing charges (regional tables, read 12 September 2026).

Related

• Cost-to-run calculator and full A–Z — check any appliance or enter a custom wattage.
• Energy price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026 — every region, every payment method.
• Back-billing calculator — if a bill for this or any appliance looks like it covers too many months.
• Free bill audit — if your overall energy costs look high regardless of any one appliance.