You may have seen the TV ad that claims it costs only 9 cents an hour to run a Nobo electric heater.
One of our readers asked us, “Are Nobo heaters truly as economical as they claim to be?”
The Nobo claims
The Nobo website states it costs 9c/hr to run a 1500W heater. This calculation is based on power costing 12.5c per kWh in Australia in 2007 and running the heater on a thermostat set at approximately 50 percent capacity. At New Zealand typical rates in 2010 (23c/kWh) it’s more like 17c/hr.
A Nobo chart says this heater will keep a small room (2.5 x 3m) at around 18°C to 20°C if it’s insulated to a higher level than the New Zealand building code and has insulating drapes on the windows.
Nobo says a 5m x 5m lounge insulated to the same level needs a 2500W heater, which would cost 57c/hr. A small heat pump, by comparison, can deliver 3200W of heat for 15c/hr.
Econoheat also advertises cheap-to-run heaters. They are cheap to run because they’re very small. These 260W and 400W heaters will run for just over 5c and 8c per hour. We think you’d need to run two of the larger ones day and night to keep a typical bedroom warm in winter weather. That’s $4.03 a day.
Other options
But there are cheap-to-run plug-in portable “heaters”. Actually, they are portable heat pumps! DeLonghi and Dimplex offer a small selection of portable models and we think they’re worth considering, especially if you're renting. But check with your landlord – they may have to agree to modifications to connect the outside unit without draughts.
Otherwise, this is the deal: there are NO electric plug-in type heaters that are more economical or efficient to run than others. Electric heaters with the same rated heat output will all have the same running cost.
If electric heaters are your only choice, our recommended models are best at distributing the heat evenly, so make those your first choice. Avoid wastage by making sure you lose as little heat from your rooms as possible.
More from consumer.org.nz
- Appliance running costs - find out what a range of household appliances cost to run
- Oil-filled heaters - test results and buying advice
- Heat pumps - our comprehensive guide to choosing a heat pump
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My parents-in-law have installed econo-heat heaters in a couple of rooms in their house used by their grandchildren. My hand brushed passed one and I was astonished how hot it was. I couldn't hold my hand on it and I thought it would scorch skin and even the wall it was fixed to. I'd be interested in seeing a safety report from consumer on this and other heaters.
I emailed Econoheat with some questions and concerns as I found on google search that there were a lot of issues with them cracking and not working overseas. I was told the Managing Director was away and would reply. Six weeks later I have never heard back. So we have decided instead to get a free standing wood fire with heat transfer kit. Although even this will only take the chill off the bedrooms the installer tells me.
People are being sold a lemon with these small heaters. As pointed out by Consumer they are cheap because they put out only a very small amount of heat. To get this into perspective they put out not much more heat than a large plasma TV. Also because they are silent they tend to be left on continuously and will give you a surprise when the power bill arrives.
Nobo heaters are great for kids rooms. We have the 1.25kWh ones for our 2 large single rooms, keep the rooms at the recommended 18 degrees and once they've reached operating temperature they cycle on and off so are actually 'on' for only half the time, hence using half the power. Also are cool to the touch once heated up, and heat up furniture etc which then radiates out that heat, rather than just heating the air.
You mention these in Other Options above, but I can't see them on the Dimplex & DeLonghi websites. How could I find more about them? Have they perhaps discontinued them? Thanks
http://www.econo-heat.co.nz/benefits.php
This heater claims to be more efficient than other forms of electric heating. Can anyone comment on this please?
I have overseas paying students and they are very good for their bedrooms. One large one will keep a medium size bedroom warm enough for study purposes Ideal for childrens rooms.
In the article...
"Econoheat also advertises cheap-to-run heaters. They are cheap to run because they’re very small. These 260W and 400W heaters will run for just over 5c and 8c per hour. We think you’d need to run two of the larger ones day and night to keep a typical bedroom warm in winter weather. That’s $4.03 a day."
So low power, low heat.
Watch out for the "we believe..." statements on their website - facts would be nicer!
Absolutely and TOTAL snake-oil peddlers. As Consumer state above: There are NO electric plug-in type heaters that are more economical or efficient to run than others. This an absolutely indisputable FACT. A 400 watt heater has exactly the same heat output as every other 400 watt heater. Even the same exact heat output as 4 100 watt light bulbs mounted on the wall. The Econo-heat web site is full of untruths and misleading language. To put it another way: Trying to heat a room with a 400 watt heater is like trying to have a shower under a dripping straw and calling it economical. And oh boy, yes, indeed it'll cost less to run your shower.
This is quite interesting , The people saying how crap they are dont seam to have tried them ....
I can say without a doubt I wouldn't be without mine and have just brought a new one for my babys room as the oil filled one was costing a fortune .
MTC Econo panels are the best you can by to plug in, yes they arent going to cost you nothing to run but hell of a lot cheaper than oil filled or fan forced .
Here's an idea - how about a device which plugs into the power socket, and then you plug your applicance into this device and it tells you exactly how much power is being used?
If these have already been invented, please tell me where i can buy them!
P.s; I'm already aware of those things that plug into your power box outside. That doesnt tell you how much a specific appliance uses.
Surely running a 1500W heater for an hour uses 1.5KWh of energy, which will then cost around 30c.