How we work it out
Plug-in heaters are simple machines. Every watt going in comes out as heat, so a 2,400 W oil column drawing full power costs 2.4 kWh every hour, priced at your state's rate. There's no efficiency trick between brands either. A $40 fan heater and a $200 designer panel of the same wattage make exactly the same warmth for exactly the same money.
Worked example: an oil column running 5 hours a night in Victoria: 2.4 × 5 × 29.8¢ = about $3.58 a night, which is roughly $107 a month and around $320 across winter. For one room.
The comparison that matters
A reverse cycle air conditioner makes the same warmth from about a third of the electricity, because it pumps heat indoors instead of generating it. That's why it sits in the list above at 700 W. If the room has one, use it for the long evenings and keep the plug-in heater for quick bursts. And for pure warmth per cent, nothing beats an electric blanket, which runs at about a tenth of a fan heater.
Common questions
Which type of electric heater is cheapest to run?
At the same wattage they all cost the same, since resistive heaters turn every watt into heat. The real savings come from heating a smaller space, using a thermostat and timer, or switching the job to a reverse cycle aircon.
Is an oil column heater cheaper than a fan heater?
Not per hour at the same wattage. Oil columns hold warmth after switch-off and suit long sessions in closed rooms, while fan heaters warm you faster and suit short bursts. Match the heater to the job and run it for fewer hours.
Why does reverse cycle heating cost so much less?
A heat pump moves heat from outside air into the room rather than creating it, delivering three or four units of warmth per unit of power. It's the cheapest form of electric heating available in Australia.
What this costs, state by state
A 2,400 W oil column heater running 5 hours a night.
| State | Rate | Per night | Across winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | 32.4¢ | $3.89 | $350 |
| Victoria | 29.8¢ | $3.58 | $322 |
| Queensland | 31.2¢ | $3.74 | $337 |
| South Australia | 38.1¢ | $4.57 | $411 |
| Western Australia | 33.6¢ | $4.03 | $363 |
| Tasmania | 28.9¢ | $3.47 | $312 |
| Australian Capital Territory | 27.4¢ | $3.29 | $296 |
| Northern Territory | 31.7¢ | $3.80 | $342 |
Reference rates for 2026–27. Your row is highlighted once you set your location.
Sources
Electricity rates: AER Default Market Offer (NSW, SA, south-east QLD), Victorian Default Offer, and each remaining state's regulated tariff, current for 2026–27. Appliance figures: the energyrating.gov.au registration database (July 2026 snapshot). Methods and assumptions are described on each page.