How Much Does It Cost to Run a Electric Fan Heater? (Australia 2026)
Based on the Australian National Benchmark electricity rate of 33.2c per kWh (AER Default Market Offer 2025-2026).
A standard 2000W electric fan heater costs A$0.66 per hour of continuous use at national average rates (33.2c/kWh). Based on typical domestic usage, it costs approximately A$1.99 per day or A$726.36 per year.
Manufacturer specs: De'Longhi & Rowenta ceramic fan heater technical sheets (1000W low, 2000W high setting)
* Includes 0.5W standby consumption outside active hours (A$1.27/year).
Tips to Cut Electric Fan Heater Electricity Costs in Australia
- Only use fan heaters for rapid short-term spot heating of a single occupied room rather than whole-house space heating.
- Set the integrated thermostat so the fan automatically shuts off once the room reaches a comfortable 19°C–20°C.
- Close doors and draft-proof window edges to retain warm air in the target room.
- Consider replacing fan heating with an electric heated throw or heated underblanket, which consumes 95% less electricity.
Alternative Appliances Compared
vs. Oil-Filled Radiator
View running cost →Fan heaters push heat fast but cool down instantly when switched off; oil radiators retain thermal mass and provide gentler, more sustained ambient heat.
vs. Electric Blanket
View running cost →An electric blanket heats the person rather than the room air, using 100W compared to a 2000W heater—saving up to 95% on electricity costs.
Electric Fan Heater Technical Power Profile
Source data: De'Longhi & Rowenta ceramic fan heater technical sheets (1000W low, 2000W high setting)
Frequently Asked Questions: Electric Fan Heater Electricity in Australia
How much does a 2000W electric fan heater cost to run per hour?â–¾
At a UK rate of 24.5p/kWh, running a 2000W (2 kW) electric heater at full blast costs exactly 49.0p per hour. In Australia (33.2c/kWh) it costs 66.4c per hour, and in Germany (41.35 ct/kWh) it costs 82.7 Cent per hour.
Are fan heaters expensive to run compared to central heating?â–¾
Yes. Natural gas heating typically costs around 6p to 7p per kWh of heat, whereas electric resistance fan heating costs 24.5p per kWh in the UK—making electric fan heaters roughly 3 to 4 times more expensive than gas radiators.
Does turning a fan heater down to setting 1 save money?â–¾
Yes. Setting 1 usually drops heating power from 2000W to 1000W, cutting the hourly electricity consumption and running cost by exactly half.
Can a fan heater warm a whole house?â–¾
No. Portable fan heaters are designed strictly for supplemental directional warmth in small rooms (10–15 m²). Attempting to heat an entire property will result in massive electricity bills exceeding £300 to £400 per month.
Do ceramic fan heaters use less electricity than wire coil heaters?â–¾
Both convert 100% of electrical energy into heat (1 kW electricity = 1 kW heat). However, PTC ceramic elements self-regulate and distribute heat more uniformly, feeling warmer at lower fan speeds.