COST GUIDES
Storage heater running costs in 2026
Updated 08/26
Fast Facts
Typical running cost: Depends on your heater size, charging hours and electricity tariff
Biggest cost driver: Heater wattage and whether you're on an off-peak tariff such as Economy 7 or Economy 10
How to calculate costs: Heater size (kW) × charging hours × your electricity unit rate
Wondering how much it costs to run a storage heater? The answer depends on three main things:
The size of your heater
How long it charges overnight
The electricity tariff you're on
If you use an off-peak tariff such as Economy 7 or Economy 10, storage heaters can be one of the more cost-effective forms of electric heating. This guide explains how storage heater running costs are calculated, what affects them, and how to estimate your own electricity costs using your current tariff.
What is a storage heater?
A storage heater is an electric heater that builds up and stores energy throughout the night, before releasing it to keep you warm throughout the day.
If you're on a time-of-use tariff, like Economy 7 or Economy 10, you'll get lower energy rates at night, usually between 12am and 7am. A storage heater lets you use these cheaper rates instead of paying full price during the day.
Storage heaters are designed to make the most of cheaper overnight electricity. When used with the right tariff, they can be a more economical way to heat your home than standard electric heaters, while also being quiet and relatively straightforward to install.
How much does it cost to run storage heaters?
There's no single answer because every household uses storage heating differently. Your running costs depend on:
The size (kW) of your storage heater
How many hours it charges overnight
Your electricity tariff
How much heat your home needs each day
Rather than relying on fixed figures that may quickly become outdated, you can work out your own running costs using a simple calculation.
How to calculate storage heater running costs
To estimate how much your storage heater costs to run, use this simple formula: Heater size (kW) × charging hours × your electricity unit rate For example, using the average UK electricity unit rate of 26.11p per kWh (current average UK electricity unit rate): 2kW × 7 hours × 26.11p = approximately £3.66 per overnight charge If you're on an Economy 7 or Economy 10 tariff, simply substitute the standard electricity unit rate with your own off-peak rate to estimate your running costs more accurately.
Because electricity prices change over time, your actual costs will depend on your tariff and the current Ofgem price cap, which is reviewed every three months in the UK.
Storage heater running costs: the figures
| Heater size | Typical overnight charging | Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| 1kW | 7 hours | 1 × 7 × your electricity unit rate |
| 2kW | 7 hours | 2 × 7 × your electricity unit rate |
| 3kW | 7 hours | 3 × 7 × your electricity unit rate |
| Last updated: August 2026 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | ||
These examples show how the calculation works rather than predicting exactly what you'll pay. Actual running costs will depend on your electricity tariff and how long your storage heater charges overnight.
Get quotes from checked electric heating engineers
The easiest way to understand what a storage heating system could cost to run in your home is to speak to a qualified electric heating engineer. If you're replacing older storage heaters, they can recommend modern high-retention models, advise whether your existing wiring is suitable and help you choose the right size heater for each room.
When requesting quotes, let the engineer know:
How many storage heaters you currently have
Whether you're on Economy 7, Economy 10 or a standard electricity tariff
Whether you're replacing existing heaters or installing a new system
If you're considering changing your electricity tariff at the same time
Find a storage heater engineer near you
What factors affect the cost of running a storage heater?
As well as the size of your storage heater, the cost to run it will vary based on how much heating you need. This, in turn, will be affected by factors such as:
What room temperature you want
The temperature outside
How much insulation your property has
What kind of windows your property has
How big your rooms are
Two further factors are worth calling out specifically, as they're the ones you can actually act on:
Heater size and wattage
Larger storage heaters consume more electricity while charging overnight because they store more heat. Choosing the correct size for each room helps avoid paying to heat more space than you need.
Your electricity tariff
Your tariff has one of the biggest impacts on running costs.
Storage heaters are designed to charge during cheaper off-peak hours, so they're generally most economical on tariffs such as Economy 7 or Economy 10.
If they're charged using a standard electricity tariff, running costs will usually be higher.
For a look at other electric heating options and how they compare on cost, our expert advice guide covers the main choices.
Night storage heater running costs
Modern storage heaters offer much better control than older models, but it's still worth adjusting your settings as the weather changes. Charging for longer than necessary means paying for heat you may never use, while charging for too little can leave you relying on more expensive daytime heating. Reviewing your settings every few weeks, particularly between seasons, can help keep running costs under control.
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Are storage heaters cheaper to run than electric radiators?
In many homes, storage heaters are cheaper to run than electric radiators, particularly if you're using an off-peak tariff.
Both storage heaters and electric radiators use electricity, but storage heaters are designed to charge overnight when electricity is often cheaper
Electric radiators normally draw electricity whenever they're switched on, which means they're more likely to use higher daytime electricity rates
If you're on a standard electricity tariff without off-peak pricing, the difference in running costs is much smaller.
For a direct cost comparison, see our guide to electric radiator running costs.
Electric storage heater running costs key takeaways
Running costs depend on your heater size, charging hours and electricity tariff
Economy 7 and Economy 10 tariffs usually make storage heaters cheaper to run than standard-rate electric heating
You can estimate your own running costs using a simple calculation based on your electricity unit rate (heater size (kW) × charging hours × your electricity unit rate)
Choosing the correct heater size and adjusting charging settings throughout the year can help reduce energy bills
Storage heater cost checklist
Before requesting quotes:
How to find a storage heater engineer near you
Finding an experienced electric heating engineer can help you get the best performance from your storage heating system. Whether you're replacing existing storage heaters or installing a new system, a qualified engineer can recommend the right heater sizes for your home and make sure they're installed safely. When comparing installers:
Read verified customer reviews
Compare itemised quotes from a selection of checked tradespeople
Ask whether they have experience installing modern high-retention storage heaters
Confirm whether any electrical upgrades are included
Check whether they'll remove and dispose of your old heaters
Providing details of your current electricity tariff, existing heaters and room sizes will often help engineers prepare a more accurate quote before visiting.
Browse checked electric heating engineers working in your area
Enter your postcode to find a top tradesperson near you
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Storage heater running cost FAQs
No. Leaving a storage heater on constantly wastes the heat it collects overnight, since it will keep charging even once a room is warm enough. It's cheaper to set it to charge only for the hours you'll actually use the heat.
Storage heaters use a similar amount of electricity to other forms of electric heating overall, but they're designed to draw that electricity at night on a cheaper off-peak tariff, which is what keeps the running cost down.
Storage heaters are generally the cheapest electric heating option to run, because they take advantage of off-peak electricity rates. Panel heaters and electric radiators cost more per kWh since they usually run on a standard tariff.
Storage heaters work best when you can predict your heating needs in advance. They can be less flexible than electric radiators because most of their charging takes place overnight, and they deliver less benefit if you're not on an off-peak electricity tariff.
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