How much does your heater really cost to run

Usage rates vary depending on the energy plan with your retailer. This guide calculates the usage cost of your heating and does not include the daily supply charge, which is a set cost per day to supply gas or electricity to your property.

For electric heaters

Step 1. Find your rates on you latest electricity bill

Look for your 'Anytime' or 'Single Rate' usage.

If your rates are based on the time you use electricity, you might have 'Peak' and 'Off-Peak' usage instead.

If you have ‘Peak’ or ‘Off-Peak’ rates, use the rate that matches the time you usually heat your home.

The usage rates are shown in cents. For example, on this bill it’s 22 cents per kilowatt hour.
Step 2. Find your heaters energy consumption

Find the label on your heater that has the energy consumption and model number details.

Find the number of Watts (W) of your heater.

Take the number of Watts (W) and divide by 1,000 to get the kilowatt (kW) number.

For example - this small heater is 1,000 W.

1000W divided by 1000 = 1kW.

You might have a heater that has a range of watts depending on the heat or fan settings you use

For example - this fan heater uses 1800-2000 W, so it uses between 1.8-2kW.
Step 3. Do the calculation

Multiply your usage rate, the number from your bill, by your heaters kilowatt (kW) energy consumption

For example - the usage rate is 22 cents/kWh on this bill and this fan heater uses up to 2000W, which is 2kW:

22 cents x 2kW = 44 cents.

Based on the rates from this bill, this heater costs 44 cents per hour on its highest settings.

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For gas heaters

Step 1. Find your rates on you latest gas bill

Look for your 'Usage' rate, this might be called ‘general usage’ or ‘single rate’ or something similar.

If your bill lists different 'Steps' for usage this means that you’re charged different amounts per set amount of gas.

For this calculation just use the rate for 'Step 1' on the bill: that's your starting cost.

You can then repeat with the rates for steps 2 and 3 later.

The MJ/h are shown in cents.

For example, on this bill its 4 cents per megajoule.
Step 2. Find your heaters energy consumption

Look for your 'Usage' rate, this might be called ‘general usage’ or ‘single rate’ or something similar.

If your bill lists different 'Steps' for usage this means that you’re charged different amounts per set amount of gas.

For this calculation just use the rate for 'Step 1' on the bill: that's your starting cost.

You can then repeat with the rates for steps 2 and 3 later.

The MJ/h are shown in cents.

For example, on this bill its 4 cents per megajoule.
Step 3. Do the calculation

Multiply your usage rate, the number from your bill, by your heaters MJ/h energy consumption

For example, the gas usage rate on this bill is 4 cents per MJ/h and this gas heater is 20 MJ/h

4 cents x 20 = 80 cents.

This gas heater costs 80 cents per hour.

If you have stepped gas rates don’t forget to do this calculation again with the different figures to get a better idea of costs.

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You can use these calculations for any gas or electric appliance in your house.

When you know the hourly cost, you can compare heaters, choose cheaper settings and control your energy use.

Stay warm and stay in control of your spending.

How much it costs to run your electric heater34.6KB

How much it costs to run your gas heater52.83KB

How much does your heater really cost to run

For electric heaters

Step 1. Find your rates on you latest electricity bill

Step 2. Find your heaters energy consumption

Step 3. Do the calculation

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For gas heaters

Step 1. Find your rates on you latest gas bill

Step 2. Find your heaters energy consumption

Step 3. Do the calculation

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Factsheets

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For electric heaters

Step 1. Find your rates on you latest electricity bill

Step 2. Find your heaters energy consumption

Step 3. Do the calculation

For gas heaters

Step 1. Find your rates on you latest gas bill

Step 2. Find your heaters energy consumption

Step 3. Do the calculation

Factsheets