- A halogen heater costs 31.6p an hour on a 1,200 W setting, 21.1p on 800 W and 10.5p on 400 W, at full power.
- Prices from the Ofgem price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026: the average for England, Scotland and Wales is 26.32p per kWh by Direct Debit. Your region and tariff change it, so use the calculator below.1
- Last checked: 28 October 2026.
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How much does a halogen heater cost per hour?
Costs on a typical 3-setting halogen heater for 15 minutes, 1 hour and 3 hours.
| Power | 15 minutes | 1 hour | 3 hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 400 W | 2.6p | 10.5p | 31.6p |
| 800 W | 5.3p | 21.1p | 63.2p |
| 1.2 kW | 7.9p | 31.6p | 94.8p |
How to work out the cost
Multiply the power in kilowatts by the hours it runs, then by your electricity unit rate. If the power is in watts, divide by 1,000 first.
For example: 1.2 kW x 2 hours x 26.32p per kWh = 63.2p.1
That is the cost at full rated power. If a thermostat switches the appliance off once the room is warm, it uses less. Standing charges are paid whatever you use, so they are not part of the cost of switching it on.
Typical halogen heater power
The Beldray EH0197SSTK portable halogen heater lets you choose “between the 400 W, 800 W and 1200 W settings”, and has a tip-over switch and a thermal cut-out.2 Models are named only as examples of published ratings, not recommendations.
On the 400 W setting it uses a third of the power of the 1,200 W setting: 31.6p for 3 hours against 94.8p.
Using a halogen heater safely
Electrical Safety First says: “As some halogen heaters can be prone to toppling over, buy one fitted with a tip-over switch and cool to touch.”3
Electrical Safety First says: “Never leave your heater unattended while in use or while you are asleep.” and “It is recommended not to use a portable heater overnight.”3
It also says to “Keep all combustible materials at least one metre away from the heater”, to “avoid powering a heater from an extension lead as they can easily be overloaded”, and: “Never dry clothes directly on or close to your heater.”3
Next steps
1. Use the lowest setting that keeps you warm.
2. Check the settings on your heater's label, then use the calculator above.
3. Keep it at least a metre from curtains, bedding and furniture.
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Who these figures cover
The prices are from Ofgem's price cap for England, Scotland and Wales, 1 October to 31 December 2026.1 In Northern Ireland, use the unit rate on your bill in the calculator.
There is no VAT on household electricity in England, Scotland and Wales, and the rates above already reflect this.1 HMRC: “The temporary zero rate applies from 1 October 2026 to 30 June 2027.” The Budget on 28 October 2026 extended it from 31 March (announced; the legislation is due in early 2027). Gas stays at 5% VAT.5