Is it cheaper to run a halogen heater or an oil-filled radiator?

Price updated 9 July 2026 · Q3 2026 (Jul–Sep)

With typical usage, a halogen heater is cheaper — about £28.59 a month less (£343.09 a year) than an oil-filled radiator.

Spot-heating one person vs warming a whole room — the right answer depends on what you need.

Compare with your own usage

Halogen heater

About £19.06 a month · £228.72 a year

Per hour21p
Per day63p
Per week£4.39
Per month£19.06
Per year£228.72

Uses about 876 kWh a year. Prefilled with the Ofgem cap of 26.11p/kWh — edit any box for your own figures.

Oil-filled radiator

About £47.65 a month · £571.81 a year

Per hour39p
Per day£1.57
Per week£10.97
Per month£47.65
Per year£571.81

Uses about 2,190 kWh a year. Prefilled with the Ofgem cap of 26.11p/kWh — edit any box for your own figures.

The bottom line

At the current 26.11p/kWh cap and typical usage, a halogen heater runs at about £19.06 a month against £47.65 for an oil-filled radiator. Your own habits decide the real answer — the tool above lets you put in exactly how you use each one.

Read more: Halogen heater running cost · Oil-filled radiator running cost.