As winter sets in across Ireland, staying warm is a top priority, but so is keeping energy bills under control. With electricity and gas prices still high, many people are asking: what’s the most cost effective way to heat up this winter?
From electric blankets to gas heaters, oil-filled radiators, panel heaters, and fan heaters, we’ve broken down the running costs of each option.
How We Worked Out the Costs
To keep it fair, we’ve based our calculations on 8 hours of daily use, with electricity priced at 25.92c per kWh (Electric Ireland’s standard unit rate) and bottled gas at around €38 for a 11.34 kg cylinder (Calor / Flogas).
A kWh (kilowatt-hour) is just a way of measuring how much electricity you use.
- If a 1,000W (1 kW) heater runs for 1 hour, that’s 1 kWh.
- If a smaller 500W heater runs for 2 hours, that’s also 1 kWh.
To find the cost:
Power (kW) × Hours used × Price per kWh
Let’s see which heating method gives you the best value.
A 11.34 kg gas cylinder is about the size of a small backpack or a kitchen bin, and it weighs around the same as carrying a big bag of potatoes. It’s the standard “small” cylinder people use for portable gas heaters in Ireland.
Best Electric Blankets
An electric blanket is one of the most efficient ways to keep warm. A type called an underblanket sits directly on your mattress, under your sheet, gently warming the bed.
There are also overblankets, which go on top of you like a regular blanket or throw. The main difference is that an underblanket warms the bed itself from below, while an overblanket keeps the heat closer to your body from above. Both types are machine washable and tumble dryer safe, but underblankets are usually left on the bed, whereas overblankets can be moved around the house like a heated throw.
Not only do they use very little electricity, but modern models like the Dreamland Scandi range come with:
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Multiple heat settings
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Auto shut-off timers (1, 3, or 9 hours)
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Machine washable & tumble dryer safe designs
Since they warm you directly instead of the whole room, they’re incredibly cost-effective.
Cost Calculation:
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Dreamland Single Over Blanket (150W): 1.2 kWh/day → €0.31/day → €9.33/month
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Dream Double Under blanket (300W): 2.4 kWh/day → €0.62/day → €18.67/month
✅ Verdict: By far the cheapest option for overnight comfort.
Best Gas Heaters
The Manhattan Portable Gas Heater is a popular choice in Ireland for providing strong, instant warmth. It runs on bottled propane or butane cylinders instead of electricity, making it both powerful and portable. Because of its heat output, it’s best suited for larger, drafty spaces, with a recommended minimum room size of 64 m³ to ensure safe ventilation.
Gas heaters don’t rely on the mains, which makes them handy in areas without power or during outages. However, their running costs depend on cylinder prices. A standard 11.34 kg gas cylinder costs around €38 and powers this 3.4 kW heater on medium heat for about 104 hours.
Cost Calculation (Manhattan Portable Gas Heater, 3.4 kW):
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~€0.365/hour
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8h/day → €2.92/day
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30 days → €187.6/month
✅ Verdict: The Manhattan Gas Heater delivers strong, room-filling heat and, at current prices, is actually cheaper to run per hour than most electric radiators or fan heaters. However, it still requires regular cylinder refills and good ventilation, so while it’s cost-effective for large rooms, it may not be as convenient as plug-in electric heating.
Best Oil-Filled Radiators
An oil-filled radiator works by heating a sealed supply of thermal oil. The oil holds heat, so the radiator stays warm for longer, even after being switched off.
They’re safer and more comfortable than fan heaters, making them popular for bedrooms and living rooms.
Cost Calculation (2000W Oil Radiator):
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2.0 kW × 8h = 16 kWh
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16 × €0.2592 = €4.15/day
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30 days = €124.80/month
✅ Verdict: Good for steady, safe heat, but expensive if left on for hours every day.
Best Panel Heaters
Panel heaters are slim, lightweight units designed to heat small rooms efficiently. They use much less power than radiators or fan heaters, making them a smart choice for moderate heating needs.
Cost Calculation (De Vielle 425W Panel Heater):
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0.425 kW × 8h = 3.4 kWh
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3.4 × €0.2592 = €0.88/day
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30 days = €26.64/month
✅ Verdict: Energy-efficient and affordable for small spaces.
Best Fan Heaters
Fan heaters use an internal fan to blow warm air into a room. They heat up quickly, which is great for short bursts, but they’re very energy-hungry if run for long stretches.
Cost Calculation (2kW Sirocco Fan Heater):
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2.0 kW × 8h = 16 kWh
- 16 × €0.2592 = €4.15/day
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30 days = €124.80/month
Cost Comparison Table
| Appliance | Power / Energy Use | Daily Usage (8h) | Daily Cost | Monthly Cost (30 days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dreamland Single Electric Blanket | 150 W | 1.2 kWh | €0.31 | €9.33 |
| Dreamland Double Electric Blanket | 300 W | 2.4 kWh | €0.62 | €18.67 |
| Manhattan Gas Heater (Cylinder €38) | 3.4 kW (on medium) | ~104 hours per cylinder | €2.92 | €87.60 |
| Oil-Filled Radiator | 2000 W | 16 kWh | €4.15 | €124.80 |
| Panel Heater | 425 W | 3.4 kWh | €0.88 | €26.64 |
| Fan Heater | 2000 W | 16 kWh | €4.15 | €124.80 |
Conclusion
- Most cost-efficient: Electric blankets (as low as €9.33/month).
- Affordable room heating: Panel heaters (€26.64/month).
- Comfortable but pricey: Oil-filled radiators (€124.80/month).
- Quick but costly: Fan heaters (€124.80/month).
- Powerful but mid-range cost: Gas heaters (€87.60/month)
💡 Tip
The smartest approach is to use an electric blanket for overnight comfort, and combine it with a panel heater or occasional gas heating for larger rooms. That way, you stay warm without letting bills spiral out of control.