elrctric fires

[leo9902]

not sure if this is the right place for this question but no where else seems suitable either, i have had an electric fire put in my room instead of the gas one i had previously as was told it would nt be expensive to use but now im not so sure and someone said those portable halogen fires were cheaper to run , does anyone know if that is true as i would consider getting one while its so cold as unsure about having my electric fire on for long periods.

[Mustardmit]

One way to get an idea is to read the ratings on the unit in order to check its wattage. For example, my small blower heater eats 2 kilowatts (2000 watts) . Compared to most household electrical appliances this is one of the highest consumers of electricity.

[buildersmate]

I'd be a rich man by now if I earned money for the number of times I'd had to explode the halogen heater myth.
These halogen heaters are just as efficient as any other electrical heater - no better and no worse. ALL electricity used in an electric heater is converted into heat (except fan heaters - which use a very modest amount to drive the fan around) - which sounds fine until you realise the electricity is so damn expensive in the first place. The reason why halogens cost less to run than a 3-bar electric fire is because they throw out less heat!! Don't waste your money - just turn the existing fire on less often - it will have the same impact.

Whoever told you to put an electric one in place of a gas fire was unfortunately wrong - even allowing for some heat to go up the flue, gas fires cost typically around one third the cost of electric, for the same heat output.

[Old_Geezer]

Up to a point I'm just concurring with the previous post but:

When one refers to efficiency one is normally trying to work out what percentage of the energy you have paid for is wasted as heat. But the thing about heaters is that they are supposed to heat anyway. So there's very little waste.

So for any particular power source, mains electricity for example, you get what you pay for. Pay for xxx watts, you get xxx watts of heat (more or less). The only running cost comparisons that are valid are between different sources of power. Electricity, gas, oil, paraffin, coal, candles, whatever. And of course, cost might not be the only consideration.

[buildersmate]

The punter asked whether halogen heaters 'are cheaper to run'. They are and I told him that - "the reason why halogens cost less to run than a 3-bar electric fire is because they throw out less heat!!"
But it is pointless making that comparison if he then runs off believing they are cheaper to run because their efficiency is higher - it isn't. We all seem to be agreed on that.
It was me that introduced the idea that the efficiency of different heat sources is important in assessing which ones are 'cheaper to run'.
In order of 'cost for the same heat output' in the room, the sequence most people seem to agree on is (lowest first): -
gas
oil
Economy 7
LPG
normal tariff electricity