Heating

A buyer’s guide to energy-efficient portable heaters

By Thomas Howell / February 17th, 2025 / There are currently 0 comments

What is the cheapest heater to run? You may well be considering your options for extra warmth whilst temperatures stay low throughout what’s left of winter.

Even if your central heating does the job around most of the house, some rooms may not quite benefit from what heating is available to them or are simply too big to heat up with a single radiator.

Whatever your reason for needing a portable heater, you’ll still want to know what type is best for the room you need to heat, especially regarding energy efficiency. With so many available options, narrowing it down can sometimes be tricky, so we’re here to help.

Read on to learn more about energy-efficient portable heaters. This blog will guide you through everything you need to know.

What are the different types of portable heaters?

There are three main types of portable heaters, each using different types of energy to generate heat: electric, gas and oil.

Portable electric heaters

There are many electric heater types, including ceramic and halogen heaters. Ceramic heaters use ceramic plates to conduct heat and are good for small to medium-sized rooms. Not only do they heat up quickly, but they are energy efficient, too.

On the other hand, Halogen heaters use electricity to pass through a tungsten filament, which heats up a halogen gas-filled tube. Much like their ceramic counterparts, they are also energy-efficient, transforming a high percentage of electrical energy into heat.

Portable gas heaters

Portable gas heaters provide quick, efficient heat in a specific area, making them ideal for spot-heating a room and other temporary heating needs. They are more cost-effective than electric heaters, especially when only heating a small space. They are also easy to move around as needed, making them a versatile choice for different locations within a home or building.

Portable oil heaters

Portable oil heaters consist of an electric heating element submerged in a reservoir of diathermic oil, which transfers heat to the surrounding metal casing through convection. As well as being able to store heat for a long time, diathermic oil is efficient and heaters that use it come pre-filled, meaning you don’t need to buy oil separately.

Do oil-filled radiators use a lot of energy?

Oil-filled radiators are generally energy-efficient, though the electricity they consume depends on different factors, for example, how well insulated the room is and room size.

As mentioned above, diathermic oil retains heat well, reducing the need for frequent use and lowering electricity consumption. As well as being good at retaining heat, oil-filled heaters convert electricity into heat effectively and distribute it evenly around itself.

To optimise these features, using a heater that matches the size of the space is the best thing to do, for the most efficient way to heat your room. The table below will give you an idea of the appropriate size and wattage for different types of rooms:

Radiator Size	Wattage	Room Size
Small	Up to 600w	Ideal for small rooms and spaces (4m x 6m)
Medium	600w – 1500w	Perfect for medium spaces (10 – 20m)
Large	1500w and above	Great for larger living areas (20m x 30m)

Is an oil-filled heater cheaper to run than an electric fan heater?

While oil-filled and electric fan heaters use the same amount of electricity per watt, oil heaters can be more efficient due to their heat retention capabilities.

By retaining heat for longer, oil-filled heaters can emit residual warmth long after a heater has technically been switched off, resulting in lower energy consumption.

Similarly, whilst oil-filled heaters take longer to heat up initially, they maintain a more consistent temperature once warmed. Electric fan heaters work differently from this, as they retain heat at a much lower rate and can, therefore, be more expensive to run.

Is an oil-filled heater cheaper to run than a halogen heater?

Halogen heaters primarily provide instant, direct heat that dissipates quickly once turned off, contrary to oil-filled heaters work, which retain heat and distribute it evenly across their metal columns and cavities.

Because of this, oil-filled heaters are generally considered cheaper to run than halogen heaters, which need to be kept on longer to achieve the same level of warmth.

While halogen heaters are more expensive to run, it’s worth noting that different types of heaters are better suited to different types of rooms. Halogen heaters are often used for targeted heating in small areas like bathrooms. In contrast, oil-filled heaters are better suited for larger rooms where consistent warmth is needed.

Oil-filled heaters at Jack Stonehouse

Find money-saving oil-filled heaters and more in our range at Jack Stonehouse. Portable heaters aren’t the only cost-effective way to stay comfortable this winter. Our collection of heatable gifts can be the perfect way to keep you toasty during these bitterly cold evenings.

Choose Jack Stonehouse for your winter warming needs and save yourself from harsh temperatures and costly bills.

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