Running costs 1p/hour?

of from only 1p per hour

A very quick look at British Gas's website shows that their typical 'night' rate (on Economy 7) is around 2.5p/kwh. A 400w heater will therefore cost

Of course, most people will want to use this kind of heating during the day or evening, when it's likely to be closer to 10-15p/kwh, but their statement is technically correct (they do mention 'from 1p/hour').

John.

Our E7 Off peak costs 2.751p/unit inc VAT, which gives 1.1p/hr. I'm sure there will be E7 tarrifs out there at 2.5p/unit inc VAT (2.38p ex) or less to provide the 1p/hr.

As always with advertising read what it really says, not what you want or think it says.

Afraid I don't follow you, ron.

Hi,

They have a thermostat in them that regulates the surface temperature, so in reality the heat output is probably 150w/hr or so.

What application do you have in mind? A thin oil filled radiator may be better, Dimplex do them.

BTW anyone got one of those heaters with a digital thermostat? Would like to know if they're any good.

cheers, Pete.

So you'd probably be better off just leaving a couple of lamp bulbs on all the time and save the cost of buying the heater. Nice hot real bulbs of course, not low energy ones.

If its electric forget it, waste of money. Leccy costs about 3x what gas does per unit.

If you turn it to minimum so it only eats 1p/hour it isnt going to warm anything much, unless you sit on it.

Warm panels probably would work when youre sitting on a little cold corner and want to take the chill off just under the desk, but wall inulation panels are much better.

NT

I've always thought that. Recently I had a thought .... How much heat goes out the flue on a gas heater?

All the heat goes into the room with leccy ones.

I want something to warm an airing cupboard in a bathroom.

This panel heater might be more efficient. Smart Panel Heater Product ID 53116 - The 450 watt model

depends on the heater. The worst can be as low as 55% efficient, some very old cast iron ones. The best are somewhere around 95% efficient. Either way, its still far cheaper than leccy.

NT

Depends on the heater. A modern condensing boiler is of the order ~90% efficient. A 15 year old gas wall heater I have is 75% efficient, and a non condensing boiler is going to be similar. A decorative flame gas fire is nearer 20% efficient.

Actually, over half the heat went up the power station chinmey before the energy even got to you. Efficiency in combustion power stations is somewhere around 30-35% for older ones, and I'm not aware newer ones break the 50% barrier.

in the long term, 2p/hr is still = £175/yr if left on all the time.

If it has to be electric then a pull switch and suitable for bathrooms thermostat would help keep the cost down.

Tube heaters are another way to go, they are usually splash proof and available in a range of lengths and wattages.

Trying out a bulb or two in there overnight with a thermometer would give an idea of how much heat is needed.

cheers, Pete.