Electric heating can be expensive to run if it is used inefficiently, badly controlled, or installed in a property that loses heat quickly. However, in the right setting, with the right system and good controls, electric heating can be a practical, safe, and low-maintenance option for homes and businesses in places such as Horley, Reigate, Redhill, Crawley, Surrey and West Sussex.
This guide explains what affects the running cost of electric heating, when it makes sense, when it may not, and what to check before you commit. We will cover:
- What electric heating actually means
- Why electric heating can cost more to run
- When electric heating can be a good choice
- The role of insulation and heat loss
- Different types of electric heating
- Controls, timers and zoning
- Running costs in homes, offices and commercial buildings
- Safety, wiring and fuse board considerations
- Common mistakes to avoid
- How JPEC Electrical can help
What is electric heating?
Electric heating means using electricity to create heat, rather than burning gas, oil or another fuel on site. Common examples include electric radiators, panel heaters, storage heaters, underfloor heating, infrared heaters and electric boilers.
Some electric heating systems create heat directly. Others, such as heat pumps, use electricity to move heat from outside air or the ground into your property. Heat pumps are different from standard electric heaters because they can produce more heat energy than the electricity they consume.
For this guide, we are mainly focusing on direct electric heating, such as electric radiators, panel heaters and similar systems.
Is electric heating more expensive than gas?
In many cases, direct electric heating costs more to run than gas central heating because electricity usually costs more per unit than gas. A standard electric heater is close to 100% efficient at the point of use, which means almost all the electricity it uses becomes heat.
That sounds good, but the cost per unit matters. If electricity is several times more expensive than gas, then a direct electric heater can still cost more to run even though very little energy is wasted at the heater itself.
This is why electric heating needs careful thought. It is not enough to say “electric heating is efficient”. You need to look at the tariff, the property, the controls, the heating pattern and the type of room or building being heated.
When can electric heating be a good option?
Electric heating can make sense where gas is not available, where installation disruption needs to be kept low, or where heating is only needed in specific rooms or at certain times.
It can be particularly useful for:
- Flats, extensions, garden rooms and outbuildings
- Small offices, workshops and reception areas
- Rural sites without mains gas
- Rooms that are used occasionally
- Properties where pipework would be difficult or expensive to install
- Backup heating or localised heating
For example, a small office near Crawley that only needs heat during working hours may benefit from well-controlled electric heating. A rural property in West Sussex without mains gas may also find electric heating worth considering, depending on insulation, usage and available alternatives.
JPEC Electrical can assess the building, the existing electrical supply and the likely heating demand before recommending a suitable approach.
When might electric heating not be suitable?
Electric heating may not be suitable where a large, poorly insulated property needs long periods of whole-building heating. In that situation, direct electric heating can become costly, especially during colder months.
It may also be unsuitable if the existing electrical supply is not strong enough, the fuse board is outdated, or several high-load appliances already run at the same time. Electric heating can place a significant demand on the electrical system.
For larger homes, commercial buildings, agricultural premises or industrial units in Surrey and West Sussex, the right answer may be a mix of improvements. This might include insulation upgrades, better controls, heat pumps, solar panels, battery storage or changes to how different areas are heated.
The main point is simple: electric heating should be designed around the property, not chosen from a brochure.
How much does electric heating cost to run?
The running cost depends on the power of the heater, how long it runs, your electricity tariff and how much heat the room loses. A 2kW heater running for one hour uses 2 units of electricity, also called 2 kilowatt hours or 2kWh.
A kilowatt hour is simply a unit of energy. If your electricity tariff is 25p per kWh, a 2kW heater running for one hour would cost about 50p.
That may sound manageable, but costs rise quickly if several heaters run for many hours each day. For example, four 2kW heaters running for five hours use 40kWh of electricity. At 25p per kWh, that would cost about £10 for that heating period.
This is why controls, zoning and insulation are so important. You do not want electric heating running in rooms that are already warm, empty, or losing heat through poor insulation.
Why insulation matters so much
Electric heating is only as cost-effective as the building allows it to be. If a room loses heat quickly, the heater has to work harder and run for longer.
Poor insulation, draughty windows, uninsulated roofs and gaps around doors can all increase running costs. This applies just as much to a home in Reigate as it does to a workshop, farm building or small commercial unit near Redhill.
Before investing in electric heating, it is worth asking:
- Does the room hold heat well?
- Are there obvious draughts?
- Is the loft or roof space insulated?
- Are windows and doors in reasonable condition?
- Is the heating needed all day or only occasionally?
In many cases, improving the building fabric first can reduce the size and cost of the heating system you need.
What types of electric heating are available?
There are several types of electric heating, and each has different strengths. The best choice depends on how the space is used.
Electric radiators are often used in homes, offices and smaller commercial spaces. They are usually wall-mounted and can include built-in timers and thermostats.
Panel heaters are generally simple and relatively low-cost to install. They heat up quickly but may not retain heat for long once switched off.
Storage heaters use cheaper off-peak electricity, where available, to store heat and release it later. They can work well with the right tariff and usage pattern, but they need careful control.
Electric underfloor heating can be comfortable, especially in bathrooms or tiled areas, but it can be expensive if used as the main heating source in a poorly insulated space.
Infrared heaters warm people and surfaces rather than heating all the air in a room. They can be useful in specific settings, including some commercial and industrial areas, but need careful positioning.
JPEC Electrical can explain these options in plain English and advise which systems are likely to suit your property and usage.
Controls can make or break the running cost
Good controls are one of the most important parts of any electric heating system. Without them, even a good heater can become expensive to run.
Useful controls include timers, thermostats, room-by-room zoning and smart controls. Zoning means heating different areas separately, rather than turning on the whole system at once.
For example, a business in Horley may only need heating in offices during the day, but not in storage areas. A landlord in Redhill may want simple, tamper-resistant controls that help tenants stay comfortable without wasting energy.
The aim is to heat the right space, to the right temperature, at the right time. That sounds basic, but it is where many running cost problems begin.
Do you need an electrical upgrade?
You may need an electrical upgrade if the new heating system adds a significant load to the property. This depends on the number of heaters, their power rating, the existing circuits and the overall electrical supply.
An electrician may need to check the consumer unit, circuit capacity, cable routes, earthing arrangements and protective devices. The consumer unit is often called a fuse board. It controls and protects the electrical circuits in your property.
For commercial, agricultural or larger domestic sites, this assessment is especially important. Heating, machinery, catering equipment, EV chargers, solar inverters and other electrical loads can all affect the overall design.
JPEC Electrical can inspect the existing installation, advise on safe capacity, and carry out any required testing, installation and commissioning.
Is electric heating safe?
Electric heating is safe when it is correctly designed, installed, tested and used. Problems usually occur when heaters are overloaded on unsuitable circuits, installed too close to combustible materials, or used with damaged wiring or poor-quality extension leads.
Fixed electric heating should be installed by a competent electrician. Portable heaters should be treated with care and should not be used as a permanent solution for a building that needs proper heating.
For landlords and businesses, safety checks are especially important. You may also need to consider electrical inspection reports, maintenance records, insurance requirements and duty-of-care responsibilities.
JPEC Electrical can advise on practical safety considerations for homes, rental properties, commercial premises and rural sites across Surrey and West Sussex.
What can go wrong with electric heating?
Most problems with electric heating come from poor design, poor controls or poor expectations. The heater may work, but the system may still be wrong for the space.
Common issues include:
- Rooms taking too long to warm up
- Heaters being too small for the space
- High bills due to poor controls
- Overloaded circuits
- Heat being lost through poor insulation
- Systems being installed without considering future electrical loads
Another common mistake is only looking at the purchase price. A cheap heater can become expensive if it runs constantly or lacks proper control.
A proper survey helps reduce these risks. It gives you a clearer view of what the system will do, what it may cost to run, and whether another solution would be better.
Can electric heating work with solar panels or batteries?
Electric heating can work alongside solar panels or battery storage, but it needs realistic expectations. Solar panels generate electricity during daylight hours, with more output in brighter months and less in winter.
The challenge is that heating demand is usually highest in winter, when solar generation is lower. Battery storage can help you use more of your own electricity, but it does not magically remove heating costs.
For some properties, especially where electricity use is high during the day, solar and batteries may still support the wider energy strategy. For others, the better priority may be insulation, controls, or a more efficient heating technology such as a heat pump.
JPEC Electrical can look at the whole picture, including heating, solar, battery storage, electrical capacity and expected usage.
Practical tips before you commit
Before choosing electric heating, be clear about how the space is used and what you want the system to achieve. A system for a full-time family home is different from one for a small office, workshop, rental flat or agricultural building.
It is worth checking the property’s insulation, current electricity tariff, existing wiring and likely future electrical needs. For example, if you may add EV charging, solar panels, new machinery or extra appliances later, that should be considered early.
You should also avoid relying on online running cost claims without checking the assumptions behind them. A heater that works well in one property may perform very differently in another.
A professional assessment can help you make a decision based on the actual building, not general claims.
JPEC Electrical can help
JPEC Electrical are experienced local electrical and renewable energy specialists working across Horley, Reigate, Redhill, Crawley, Surrey and West Sussex. They can assess your property, explain the trade-offs, design a suitable system, install it safely, test it properly and commission it so you understand how to use it.
Whether you are considering electric heating for a home, rental property, office, commercial unit, agricultural site or wider energy upgrade, JPEC Electrical can give clear, practical advice based on your building and requirements.
This article is general information only and is not personal advice. Recommendations should always be confirmed through a proper survey, inspection or system design for the individual property and requirements.
