Is it cheaper to run an oil-filled radiator or a fan heater?
Price updated 9 July 2026 · Q3 2026 (Jul–Sep)
With typical usage, a fan heater is cheaper — about £15.88 a month less (£190.60 a year) than an oil-filled radiator.
For sustained warmth a thermostatic oil-filled radiator usually beats a full-power fan heater.
Compare with your own usage
Oil-filled radiator
About £47.65 a month · £571.81 a year
Uses about 2,190 kWh a year. Prefilled with the Ofgem cap of 26.11p/kWh — edit any box for your own figures.
Fan heater
About £31.77 a month · £381.21 a year
Uses about 1,460 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 fan heater runs at about £31.77 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: Oil-filled radiator running cost · Fan heater running cost.