There are many advantages to using oil-filled heaters for your home. They offer a safer, more efficient way of heating that is cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
However, it’s important to know how much electricity an oil-filled heater uses to ensure you’re staying within your budget. And avoid overloading the power grid.
This post will explore the various factors that can affect power usage so you’ll be able to make an informed decision about the best type of heater for your needs.
The good news is that you don’t need to be an electrician to follow along. The main objective of this guide is to be easy and beginner-friendly as possible. Oil heaters, in my opinion, are among the most efficient types of heaters available.
You need to know the correct information before purchasing one to utilize it in an energy-efficient manner. After reading this article, you’ll be an expert on oil-filled radiators’ electricity usage.
Here is a quick view of what we are going to discuss in this post:
- How much electricity do oil heaters use?
- How expensive it is to run an oil heater continuously
- Is it more efficient to use oil heaters compared to other types of space heaters?
- How to reduce the electricity usage of your oil heater
How Much Electricity Do Oil Heaters Use?
Oil heaters consume roughly 1500 watts of power. However, the precise amount varies depending on how you use your space heater. You can significantly reduce an oil heater’s electricity consumption by simply adjusting the temperature settings and using it in the correct areas.
1500 Watts is the standard power consumption of most space heaters, not just oil heaters. However, with oil heaters, you may still reduce your energy use by lowering it below 1500W. Later on, we’ll look at how to do so.
There are various circumstances to consider, of course. Mini oil heaters, for example, utilize just 700W of electricity.
They’re built to keep your feet warm under your desk or heat rather small rooms. Let’s pretend that the space heater you’re considering uses 1500W as a reference point.
To grasp how much 1500W is in terms of power, here are a few comparisons:
For example, the usage of a 1500W oil heater consumes the same amount of electricity as powering three personal computers or two high-performance vacuum cleaners simultaneously.
Of course, this does appear to be a lot. But don’t worry, we’ll go through the expenses later on, and you’ll see it’s not as bad as you think.
Do Other Space Heaters Use Less or More Electricity?
Maybe you may consider whether another type of heater is necessary when oil heaters consume 1500W of electricity, the same as two vacuum cleaners at once.
Unfortunately, this isn’t an option. Most other space heaters utilize 1500W as well. However, you may go to the internet and verify the wattage of various space heaters; you’ll quickly discover it’s true.
If you already have a space heater at home, look for the wattage rating on the package or in an online handbook.
The majority of space heaters operate on 1500W since that is the maximum amount of power drawn from a wall outlet. However, manufacturers aim to develop heaters that work at peak efficiency.
As a result, they limit energy usage. Furthermore, heat is the most difficult to harness form of energy. That’s because it takes more energy to warm a room than it does to light it.
The truth of the matter is, oil heaters stand out from the crowd.
They are generally more dependable and exact than other heaters in that they frequently include a very trustworthy and precise thermostat.
Oil heaters are better because they can quickly determine the proper temperature settings and control room temperature than other types of heaters, which swiftly produce more heat than you need.
This is the reason when you switch to oil heaters, your costs end up being lower. Later on, we’ll show you how to use oil heaters to save money. Oil heaters’ electricity use is primarily determined by where you utilize them.
How Much Does It Cost to Run an Oil Heater?
Now that you know how much electricity an oil heater uses let’s look at the expense of running one.
We cover virtually every oil heater available by assuming that your space heater uses 1500 watts. Still, there are some exceptions, such as heaters with a rating of 700 watts or less, in which you may change the power settings.
Now, the typical electricity rate in the United States is about $0.12 per kWh, which means that running a 1000W (or 1kW) device for one hour will cost you $0.12.
Below is a complete table with different space heater wattages and also electricity rates. Therefore, you can look up how much it can you to run an oil heater per hour.
| Wattage/Rate | $0.08 | $0.10 | $0.12 | $0.14 | $0.16 | $0.18 | $0.20 |
| 500W | $0.04 | $0.05 | $0.06 | $0.07 | $0.08 | $0.09 | $0.10 |
| 700W | $0.056 | $0.07 | $0.84 | $0.98 | $0.112 | $0.126 | $0.14 |
| 900W | $0.072 | $0.09 | $0.108 | $0.126 | $0.144 | $0.162 | $0.18 |
| 1100W | $0.880 | $0.1100 | $0.132$ | $0.154 | $0.1760 | $0.198 | $0.22 |
| 1300W | $0.104 | $0.13 | $0.156 | $0.182 | $0.208 | $0.234 | $0.26 |
| 1500W | $0.12 | $0.15 | $0.18 | $0.21 | $0.24 | $0.27 | $0.30 |
Therefore, depending on your power rate and the settings you choose, a space heater may cost anywhere from $0.04 to $0.3 per hour. And we didn’t even include the full scope of costs.
A good example is that electricity rates can go up to $0.30 per kWh in European countries and a few US states. Therefore, to calculate how much your heater costs to operate, you must first know factors like your electricity rate and the power consumption of your heater.
It is simple to determine the wattage of your space heater. Either you already know it, or you can quickly discover it on the internet or in the instructions. The simplest way to find out your power rate is, of course, to examine your prior electricity statement and see what the price was.
However, if you’re unsure where to begin or whether your most recent power bill would be a hassle to decipher, you may take an easier way.
After that, look up the state you live in and come back to this post. Check on the table above to obtain your space heater hourly expenditures.
How Expensive Is it to Run an Oil Heater Continuously?
Although we’ve just covered how it costs to run an oil heater, it’s also important to know how expensive it can be to run it continuously.
Whether using space heaters is expensive usually arises just before you’re buying a new model. So the answer is that it depends.
You may use an oil heater on various power levels and in various rooms with varying levels of insulation. All of these elements can influence if your heater will be costly or not.
When you compare the cost of using a 1500W oil heater to utilizing a regular central heating radiator, it is typically not more expensive.
To be extremely clear, an average oil heater that you use for 8 hours every day will cost you approximately $43 per month in electricity expenses.
Of course, at first sight, this seems pricey. However, you might also pay for your gym or your Netflix membership with this amount of money.
But things are not as they appear. Here’s what most people forget:
For instance, there isn’t an oil heater that can operate on full heat for 8 hours without interruption. An oil heater, for example, has a thermostat to regulate the temperature and utilize the correct amount of energy to reach your desired temperature.
It only needs to warm up once and then use less power to keep the heat inside. When you open the windows, electricity usage resumes at full heat.
However, other heaters are not immune. For example, nobody will use an infrared heater for 8 hours straight or a propane heater on maximum power for 8 hours.
But bear in mind that a room-temperature thermostat is not required. This is because it doesn’t have to regulate temperature like an electric heater. You can use any wiring and have no wiring code restrictions.
This implies that heating your home with a gas wall heater will most likely cost you less than $43 per month.
You can’t calculate the cost of your oil heater ahead of time because to the fact that you don’t know how much energy it uses or how sensitive the space heater is to various circumstances.
Later on, you’ll see how to use your oil heater to save money.
That’s not to mention the fact that oil heaters aren’t as pricey as you think. However, there’s another factor behind why oil heaters aren’t any more expensive than they are.
How Does an Oil Filter Affect Your Utility Bills?
Most people usually are worried about buying and using a space heater. This worry usually stems from running costs.
And what’s the cost? For some people, it might reach as high as $200 or even $350, mainly if you utilize only space heaters to heat your entire home. Of course, that may at first appear to be a lot of money.
Many people think space heaters waste energy because they focus on their electricity bills and become alarmed.
However, most people overlook the significance of heat that your space heater produces, not having to come from your central heating system.
This implies that the heating expenses you paid previously are going down while your electric bill rises. So you’re just shifting the costs around.
When you use a space heater, your heating costs are moved to your electricity bill. However, in general, nothing much changes.
The only thing that’s different now is that you utilize electricity instead of using fuel to generate the heat. It’s as easy as that.
The Total Expenses of Your Utility Bills
So, can space heaters increase or decrease your overall costs? This is determined by the state in which you reside. Electricity rates are often greater than fuel rates.
That means running a space heater instead of a fuel-powered central heating system is most likely still more costly.
Still, your overall costs do not rise as quickly as you had anticipated. And now you know why. You move the charges from one bill to another. What you pay more on power is offset by what you save on heating expenses.
I’m sure that generating power will become even more affordable in the future, especially when compared to petroleum costs.
That is why electric heaters are the future. But we’ll see whether they’re a reality yet. Unfortunately, I don’t have a crystal ball to be able to tell the future.
How Efficient Are Oil-Filled Radiators?
Here’s the part of this post where you’ll find the most vital information about space heaters. In this section, you’ll learn how to grasp essential elements of heating effectiveness and long-term cost savings.
Four major factors influence the efficiency of your oil heater. You’ll know exactly what to pick and how to employ it after reading this section.
Selecting Brands
The first issue that may occur to you is: Is there a significant distinction between running a brand oil heater and other (non-brand) types? Is it true that brand models use less energy? Are they any more efficient than non-brand ones at saving electricity?
The short answer is: No, branded goods are not superior in saving electricity to other heaters. Even though many people believe that they will receive a better, more efficient oil heater if they purchase a brand item, this isn’t the case.
DeLonghi heaters are frequently more popular than other, lesser-known brands, such as Pelonis, even though you pay up to 50% more for a comparable model with identical functions.
Whether you select a brand model, such as a DeLonghi oil heater, the amount of energy used is irrelevant. It makes no difference in terms of safety or usability.
The best method to choose a heater is to go with one that’s well-known and well-tested by the public (I mean a model with as many positive reviews as possible).
The main point that you need to keep in mind is that brands don’t affect the efficiency or inefficiency of an oil heater. It’s all about the specs and design included in the machine that will either make it reliable or unreliable.
Where to Use Oil Heaters
Something else that may impact your space heater performance is the area you’re attempting to heat.
This is an issue only a few guides address. Fortunately, you’re reading this now, which suggests you’ve come to the correct spot.
You should note that each space heater has a unique application in which it outperforms all other types of heaters.
For instance, an infrared heater is the superior heat source for outdoor areas like uninsulated garages or party tents.
Infrared heaters produce radiant heat, a form of warmth that the wind cannot disperse.
The technology used in an infrared heater determines where it ranks above other heaters. This is true for oil heaters, as well as every other heating device.
For example, an oil heater is an ineffective outdoor heater. It would be a total waste of electricity. Because oil heaters try to warm the air, the heat they generate is rapidly whisked away by the wind. As a result, oil heaters are among the worst options available when it comes to heating an outdoor location.
Oil heaters are the best option for heating a large, enclosed space continuously for lengthy periods. Because oil heaters heat the air, the warmth will feel far more natural than radiant heat would.
Oil heaters can operate for a length of time without getting dangerously hot. This makes them the ideal heater to use while sleeping. In addition, oil heaters have a more dependable thermostat than other types of heating.
Oil heaters are also the most reliable and, in most cases, the least expensive option. They’re also the safest form of heater since they don’t get hot to the touch and have safety features built-in. As a result, they’re ideal for using indoors while keeping children and pets safe.
No heater can match a standard central heating radiator good enough to replace it. They accomplish the same function. But the only distinction is that they are powered by electricity rather than fuel.
Als read the dangers of oil heaters
Thermostat Efficiency
The primary distinction between oil heaters and other types of heaters is that they have superior thermostatic controls.
To understand this, here’s a simple explanation:
A thermostat always needs two inputs: the current measured room temperature and the desired temperature (the temperature you set using the thermostat interface, most likely a display).
The thermostat may set both the temperature and power usage to heat effectively using these two variables.
When the measured room temperature is lower than the specified temperature, the heater automatically increases power.
The precision with which oil heaters can measure the current temperature distinguishes them from other heaters. This is because they either measure the temperature of your room directly or the temperature of your oil.
Infrared heaters, on the other hand, would have a lot of problems. They don’t heat air since they use radiation to do so. That means they can’t tell what the current temperature is.
That is why the thermostats of oil heaters tend to be superior. They can more accurately assess and predict the optimal strategies for heating. Less power usage will result in greater energy savings, as well as improved efficiency.
Improving Insulation
“EPA predicts that air sealing your home can save you 15% on heating and cooling costs (or 11% in total energy expenses).”
When it comes to heating, one of the essential components is insulation. And the most significant part about it is that you only insulate once, but you benefit from it for a long time afterward.
Insulation will only cost you once, but it can significantly decrease your energy costs by up to 11 percent over time.
The Difference Between Oil Heaters and Other Electric Heaters
- Indirect heat – Most oil heaters work in two stages: They first warm the oil, and then the oil warms the air within your space. Initially, it appears as if you are losing energy. However, this is not the case. The result is that all of the heat eventually reaches your room.
- No moving parts – Oil heaters don’t require any moving components, such as fans or motors, so they never wear down. There are no areas that rub against each other and create friction. Furthermore, there is no single area where a lot of heat collects. As a result, none of the components will ever melt.
- Safety – Oil heaters are also pretty safe and energy-efficient than other types of heaters. This is because they don’t have an overly hot spot. They distribute heat over the whole metal shell, making them completely safe to touch even when operating at full power.
- Weight – Oil heaters are also heavier than other types of heating because they are made of a heavy metal structure that contains oil. Oil heaters aren’t as portable due to their weight, but they are more durable.
- Silence and excellent thermostats – Oil heaters are extraordinarily silent, and their thermostats are excellent performance. The thermostats can easily control the temperature smoothly, thereby making them quite reliable.
How to Reduce the Electricity Usage of Your Oil Heater
Use the Heater in the Right Spots
As we’ve said before, it’s a bad idea to utilize an oil heater outside. The heat dissipates rapidly. Oil heaters, on the other hand, are not recommended for uninsulated rooms.
You’ll lose warm air from any insulation problem. So oil heaters should only be used in closed, well-insulated spaces.
That’s where they can help you. That’s when oil heaters can make the most of their benefits.
The majority of your house may require infrared heaters. You can utilize them in your living room, kitchen, or bedroom.
However, be cautious when using one in an uninsulated garage, workshop, basement, or attic since they are prone to heat loss. These locations frequently lack insulation and make traditional oil heating systems ineffective.
Properly Set the Thermostat
When you heat something, it gets hotter, which means more reheating and a higher energy bill. That’s why energy costs don’t rise linearly when temperatures are doubled (temperature doubles, so cost doubles). But they rise quadratically or exponentially (temperatures double, so the cost is quadrupled).
Avoid Running on Full Power
If you don’t have a thermostat on your oil heater but have different power level settings, avoid choosing the maximum setting.
The lower the power level, the more germs are present and the longer it takes to defrost. Some bacteria will be frozen at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
The lowest amount (1500W) is only required in below-freezing temperatures and may be easily avoided. So you don’t even have to sacrifice convenience, which is a good thing.
Conclusion
Overall, from what we’ve discussed in this post, we can say that it’s pretty cheap to run oil heaters.
That’s because other types of heaters are expensive and may end up raising your energy bills over time. However, you may consider using other types of heaters occasionally.
I hope you’ve learned something in this post, but if you have any questions feel free to reach out through email, and I’ll be happy to help you out.