Electric heating is the default option when mains gas is not available — off-grid rural properties, flats in all-electric tower blocks, new builds designed around heat pumps, and extensions or conversions where extending a gas circuit is impractical. It is also growing in popularity as a supplementary heating source in well-insulated rooms where a standalone electric radiator is more cost-effective than extending pipework.
The critical caveat is running cost. At mid-2026 rates, electricity costs roughly 24p/kWh on a standard tariff, compared to approximately 6–7p/kWh for gas. All things being equal, electric resistance heating is three to four times more expensive to run than a gas system. This is partly offset by the ease of zonal control (only heat rooms in use), minimal installation cost compared to wet systems, and the absence of boiler servicing costs.
Types of Electric Heating
Panel Heaters (Electric Radiators)
The modern successors to old storage heaters and fixed panel heaters. Contemporary electric radiators use a combination of convected heat and radiated warmth from a fluid-filled or dry-element core. Better models incorporate precise digital thermostats, 7-day programming, open-window detection (which cuts heating when a sudden temperature drop is detected), and WiFi or app control.
Key spec to check: the thermostat resolution. A heater that can maintain ±0.5°C is far more efficient than one that cycles on and off in 2°C steps.
Storage Heaters (Economy 7 / Economy 10)
Storage heaters charge overnight on a cheaper off-peak electricity tariff (Economy 7 typically gives 7 hours of cheaper power, usually between 11 pm and 6 am). Ceramic bricks or blocks absorb heat at night and release it through the day. Older models release heat in a relatively uncontrolled way — you end up with too much warmth in the morning and too little by evening.
Modern high heat retention storage heaters (HHRSH) are significantly better, with insulated cores that hold charge longer and electronic fan-assisted output control. These qualify for ECO4 scheme funding in some circumstances for eligible households.
Viability depends entirely on whether you are on a time-of-use tariff with a meaningful overnight differential. Under a standard single-rate tariff, storage heaters offer no advantage over direct-acting heaters.
Infrared Heating Panels
Infrared heaters do not warm the air — they radiate energy at wavelengths absorbed by objects and bodies in the room. Because air temperature is less relevant, rooms feel comfortable at a lower thermostat setting (typically 16–18°C perceived comfort vs 20–21°C for convective heating). This can reduce running costs in well-insulated rooms.
Panels are slim (typically 25–30 mm depth), mount flush to walls or ceilings, and can be finished in white, glass, mirror, or even as framed artwork. They are particularly effective in open spaces (kitchens, garden rooms) where convective heat would be lost through high air change rates.
Limitations: they heat by line of sight. If furniture blocks the panel, heating is less effective. They do not work as well in poorly insulated rooms where objects quickly lose the absorbed heat.
Air-Source Heat Pumps (ASHP)
An ASHP is not an electric heater in the direct sense — it moves heat from outside air to water in a wet radiator or underfloor system, using electricity only to power the pump and compressor. The key metric is the Coefficient of Performance (COP): a heat pump delivering a COP of 3 is producing 3 kW of heat for every 1 kW of electricity consumed.
At a COP of 3 and 24p/kWh electricity, effective heat cost is 8p/kWh — approaching gas pricing. ASHPs are eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant of £7,500 in England and Wales (2026 rate), reducing upfront cost significantly.
They require a wet heating system (radiators or UFH), outdoor space for the unit, and ideally good fabric insulation to perform efficiently.
Cost Comparison Table
| Heating type | Upfront cost | Installation | Typical running cost per kWh heat | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric panel heater | £80–£600/unit | DIY or electrician; £50–£150/unit | 24p/kWh (100% efficient) | Supplementary; spare rooms; conversions |
| HHRSH storage heater | £250–£800/unit | £100–£200/unit fitted | ~12–14p/kWh (Economy 7 off-peak) | Whole-house off-grid; overnight charge |
| Infrared panel | £150–£800/panel | DIY or electrician; £50–£150/panel | ~18–22p/kWh effective | Open-plan; garden rooms; ceilings |
| Electric underfloor (mat) | £20–£40/m² mat | £400–£800/room (tiling incl.) | 24p/kWh | Bathrooms; tile floors; supplementary |
| Air-source heat pump | £8,000–£14,000 system | Included in system cost | ~7–10p/kWh (COP 2.5–3.5) | Whole-house replacement; new builds |
Running Cost Worked Example
A 5-bedroom detached house in the South East heating with electric radiators:
| Room | Radiator output | Hours/day (average Oct–Apr) | Daily cost at 24p/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Living room | 2.5 kW | 6 h | £3.60 |
| Kitchen | 1.5 kW | 4 h | £1.44 |
| 3 bedrooms (each 1.0 kW) | 3.0 kW | 6 h | £4.32 |
| 2 smaller bedrooms/bathrooms | 1.0 kW | 3 h | £0.72 |
| Total | 8.0 kW avg | ~£10.08/day |
Over a 7-month heating season, this works out to approximately £2,100–£2,300/year — compared to perhaps £1,000–£1,400 for an equivalent gas system. The gap closes with zonal control (only heating rooms in use), good insulation, and smart thermostat management.
Grants and Support in 2026
- ECO4 scheme: government-funded insulation and heating upgrades for households on qualifying benefits. Storage heaters may qualify where properties are off-gas-grid. Apply via energy suppliers.
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS): £7,500 grant toward ASHP installation (England and Wales). Not available for direct electric heaters.
- Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS): funds loft and cavity insulation for owner-occupiers and tenants in lower-EPC homes. Reducing heat loss makes electric heating significantly more cost-effective.
- Smart Export Guarantee (SEG): if combining electric heating with solar PV and battery storage, the SEG allows export of surplus generation to the grid at rates set by energy suppliers.
Building Regulations
Direct electric heaters (plug-in or hardwired) do not require planning consent. Hardwired heaters must be installed or notified under Part P of Building Regulations. A heat pump installation requires a Part L compliance check; the F-Gas Regulations do not apply to CO₂-free refrigerants used in some modern units, but most systems still require a Gas Safe/F-Gas qualified installer for the refrigerant circuit.
Any work to the consumer unit or new circuits must be certified by a competent person or notified to Building Control.
