Pinning down an exact comparison of how much central heating and electric heaters cost to run is nigh-on impossible, as the factors below are just some of the variables that play a part:

These can still be bought, but they aren't as popular or widely available as fan or convector heaters. Portable electric heaters use electricity, which costs 28.62p/kWh under the current energy price cap. Depending on how effective the heater is, they can take anything from 30 minutes to an hour to notably raise the temperature of a medium-sized room, so if you're only planning on using it until the room gets up to temperature, it will likely cost you between 28 and 57p. Due to the long list of factors that come into play to calculate your central heating costs, the only way you can confidently compare a heater to your central heating is to install a smart meter. You then divide your weekly heating cost by the number of hours you have it switched on and compare that figure to the cost of running your heater.Frost protection The heater can be set to heat automatically when the temperature drops below 5°C, but you'll need to have it on standby for it to run, so this can limit its usefulness.

If you were to try replacing the use of your central heating by putting an electric heater in each room, it will definitely end up costing much more. Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde purifying fan heater: Best fan heater-cum-air purifier for discerning stylistas Deliveries are only done between 09h00 and 17h00 from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). Cold air setting Some fan heaters can help cool you down too. They're not nearly as effective as a dedicated air conditioner, but a light breeze of cold air is better than nothing. Some portable heaters have useful extras, such as an LCD screen that displays the current temperature or a remote control for turning the heater on from across the room. These features may come in handy:Using Dyson’s unique Air Multiplier technology combined with variable oscillation up to an impressive 350 degrees, the Hot+Cool delivers a good wallop of warmth. According to the company, this heater will provide full coverage in rooms up to 81m³. As well as a built-in thermostat, air flow can be altered using the included magnetic remote control or, if you prefer, via Dyson’s excellent app. We buy all the electric heaters we test. We put the bestselling heaters from popular UK retailers through these tests: Heating speed, evenness, and accuracy

Convector heaters are usually taller than fan heaters, but thin and light – making them larger, but still relatively easy to move between rooms.Despite the lower-quality build, we were impressed by this heater’s performance. It’s very keenly priced, too.

Programmable timer Useful for setting a heater to turn on just before you get home or wake up, so there's no waiting around for the heater to warm up. Under current energy prices, the electric heaters we've tested can cost anything from 9p to 87p per hour to run on full blast. Whether you want to heat a chilly home office or just take the edge off when the temperatures plummet, a fan heater is a great option for short-term use. Rather than heat your entire home, electric fan heaters can be placed in your immediate vicinity, directing heat to where it’s needed most. Simply place the heater a few metres away from where you’re sitting and your feet, hands and face will remain warm while you watch TV, read a book, cook or work at your desktop. While today’s fan heaters are pretty energy-efficient, they’re not suitable for leaving on for hours on end; they still consume a lot of electricity compared to, say, standalone oil-filled heaters. In fact, most of the models in this guide will cost between 35p and 70p per hour to run, possibly more given the current high electricity prices. These have exposed heating elements, which heat up cold air as it passes. This often leads to slower, but more even, heating. They tend to be a little slower than fan heaters, but are quieter, and our tests found some are still pretty speedy.This attractive Italian-designed model from DeLonghi arrives with a high-quality, cool-to-the-touch metal casing with legs attached. And with its maximum sound pressure of 48dB, it’s one of the quietest fan heaters you can buy. The oil in the radiator acts as a heat reservoir, which stays hot for some time after the heater's switched off. Some are called 'oil-free' and function in a comparable way, just with an internal heating element instead of any oil. Some modern options also have smart features so you can program them via companion apps and smart speakers. Safety features include overheat and tip-over protection. You’ll become aware of the latter the minute you take the heater out the box, because it feels like something is loose inside. Don’t panic, it’s part of the design.