How much does an electric fire cost to run?
An electric fire can be an evening focal point, a source of extra warmth, or both. Those uses have different running costs. Before comparing models, separate the electricity used by the flame effect from the electricity used by the heater.
Start with your tariff and the correct wattage
The calculation is straightforward: power in kilowatts × hours used × your electricity price per kilowatt-hour. Divide watts by 1,000 to convert them to kilowatts. Use the unit rate from your bill, rather than the daily standing charge.
At an illustrative rate of 30p per kWh, a 2kW heater running continuously costs 60p an hour, or £1.80 for three hours. A 1kW setting running continuously costs 30p an hour. These are worked examples, not current tariff quotations or predicted bills.
Flame-only use needs a separate figure
A headline 2kW rating does not tell you the consumption of the flame effect alone. Ask for the documented flame-only wattage of the exact model. If that figure were 20W, three hours at the example tariff would cost 1.8p. That is a calculation example, not a typical figure for every electric fire. Different flame technologies can have different requirements.
What changes when the thermostat is on?
A thermostat can cycle the heater as the room reaches and maintains the chosen temperature. Three hours with the fire switched on does not necessarily mean three hours of continuous heating. Equally, a cold room may keep calling for heat.
Do not assume a fixed saving from the thermostat. Room size, insulation, open doors and the temperature you choose all affect heating time. For a cautious budget, calculate continuous operation first. Add flame-effect consumption if the stated heater rating excludes it.
Choose for the way you will use it
If the room already has effective heating, prioritise a flame you enjoy, independent flame controls and documented flame-only consumption. If you want extra warmth each evening, compare heat settings, thermostat controls and heater noise as well.
Before ordering, put those figures beside the purchase price and any fitting costs. A more expensive flame effect does not automatically produce cheaper heat. The useful comparison is the cost of the settings you expect to use.
Next step: compare electric fires by their flame-only consumption, heat settings and controls.