Panel heater running cost
By Sithum Imarsha Last reviewed
A panel heater costs its kW × your c/kWh each hour. A 1.2 kW panel heater on full costs about $0.38 an hour at 32c/kWh, and about $147 a winter with the settings below.
Your result
Per winter
$147
Panel or convection heater: 459 kWh of heat at 32c each, plus — gas supply charge for the year (only if you would cancel gas without this heater)
- An hour on full
- $0.38
- Over the cheapest
- $105
- Heat output
- 1.2kW
- Hours a winter
- 546
- Cheapest at this heat
- Reverse-cycle air conditioner,
$42 a winter - Rates used
- 32c/kWh · 5.06c/MJ gas
Fix the highlighted field to update.
| Heater | An hour | A winter | Extra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fan heater | $0.38 | $147 | $105 |
| Oil column | $0.38 | $147 | $105 |
| Panel or convection | $0.38 | $147 | $105 |
| Radiant or infrared | $0.38 | $147 | $105 |
| Reverse-cycle | $0.11 | $42 | Cheapest |
| Flued gas | $0.27 | $104 | $62 |
Each row gives 1.2 kW of heat for 546 hours at 70% thermostat on-time. An hour is on full. Extra is the winter cost above the cheapest heater, marked "Cheapest".
How we calculated this
- The room size sets the heat needed. Hours, days and thermostat on-time add it up over a winter.
- Each heater type has its own price for a kWh of heat, from its efficiency and its fuel.
- The cost is the heat times that price, so every heater is compared on the same heat.
Full method, tables and sources: Heater running cost comparison
Work out the heat the room needs
1.2 kW
Add up the heat over a winter
459 kWh of heat
Price 1 kWh of heat for each heater
32c electric · 9.14c reverse-cycle · 22.77c gas
Multiply out your heater
459 kWh × 32c = $147
Panel and convection heaters warm the air in a room. This version starts with a 12 m² bedroom, about 1.2 kW of heat, and compares it with every other heater giving the same heat.
What we found
Not yet checked
- CHOICE measured an average draw of 1.99 kW for panel heaters: about 80c an hour at 40c/kWh (updated 27 May 2026).
- CHOICE suggests 1000 to 1500 W for rooms up to 20 m² and 2400 W for larger living areas (updated 27 May 2026).
Why compare at the same heat? Read the full guide on the main heater running cost comparison.
Questions
Is a panel heater cheaper than an oil heater?
Not at the same heat. Both are resistive heaters: 1 kWh of electricity gives 1 kWh of heat. Pick on how the heat feels, noise and safety, not on running cost.
Does a timer or thermostat save money?
Yes. You pay only while the element is on. Lower "Thermostat on-time" under Advanced settings to see what a thermostat saves over a winter.