How is the running cost calculated?

Watts ÷ 1,000 × the electricity rate gives cost per hour; the yearly figure uses 4.4 h/day, 90 days a year at 2,000 W.

Does a higher star rating cut the cost?

Yes — efficiency ratings reduce the draw or energy per use, which scales the cost directly; the low–high wattage band spans efficient to inefficient models.

Why does the state matter?

Each state's usage rate differs, so the same hour costs $0.55–$0.84 depending on the state.

How much does it cost to run a electric heater (fan, panel or oil column)? (2026–27)

Name: Electric heater (fan, panel or oil column) running costs Australia 2026–27
Creator: Finder — winter heating cost tracker
License: https://www.finder.com.au/energy/winter-heating-costs

At typical draw · official state tariffs

$0.55–$0.84 per hour at 2,000 W

Typical household use — 4.4 h/day, 90 days a year at 2,000 W — runs $218–$332 a year depending on your state's tariff.

Wattage basis: Resistive — input watts equal heat output: fan/panel/oil-column heaters cluster at ~2,000 W; travel units 1,000 W; largest 2,400 W (a standard power point's limit).

Electric heater running cost by state at typical draw (2026–27 reference tariffs)
State	Tariff c/kWh	Per hour	Typical year
New South Wales	33.1c	$0.66	$262
Victoria	27.5c	$0.55	$218
Queensland	28.0c	$0.56	$222
South Australia	41.9c	$0.84	$332
Western Australia	33.3c	$0.67	$263
Tasmania	28.0c	$0.56	$221
Australian Capital Territory	37.0c	$0.74	$293
Northern Territory	31.7c	$0.63	$251

Appliance running-cost calculator

NSW

State

Power draw (watts)

Electric heater: 1,000–2,400 W typical range.

Hours per day

Days per year

~4–5 h/day in winter (Finder's tracker assumes 4.4 h/day).

$0.66 per hour · $262/year at your settings

Per day (4.4 h): $2.92
Per month: $88.65
Per year (90 days): $262.45

Tariff: 33.1c/kWh — AER Default Market Offer 2026–27 (DMO 8) for the Ausgrid network, effective 1 July 2026. Wattage basis: Finder — winter heating cost tracker. Full electric heater costs in NSW →

Cutting the cost

Plain bar and fan heaters turn power straight into heat, so no brand runs cheaper than another; the only real saving is heating less. Warm the person, not the whole room: shut the door, point it where you sit, and put it on a timer so it isn't left running. If you own a reverse-cycle unit, it delivers far more warmth for the same power.

Frequently asked questions

How is the running cost calculated?: Watts ÷ 1,000 × your electricity rate = cost per hour. A electric heater drawing 2,000 W on a 33.1c/kWh tariff costs $0.66 an hour — the calculator above lets you change every input.
Does a higher star rating cut the cost?: Yes — the star rating compresses the power draw or energy per use, which scales this page's figures directly. The low–high band in the table (1,000–2,400 W) roughly spans efficient to inefficient models.
Why does the state matter?: The appliance draws the same power everywhere — but each state's reference usage rate differs, so the same hour of running costs $0.55 in the cheapest state and $0.84 in the dearest. Pick your state above for exact figures.

Sources — figures current as at 17 July 2026.

Costs use each state's representative-zone reference usage rate, effective 1 July 2026. ~4–5 h/day in winter (Finder's tracker assumes 4.4 h/day).

How much does it cost to run a electric heater (fan, panel or oil column)? (2026–27)

Appliance running-cost calculator

Cutting the cost

Frequently asked questions

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