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Electric Heating · Ofgem 1 July to 30 September 2026

500 W Panel Heater running cost — 12 h cold snap

A 500 W Panel Heater (500 W) running 12 hours/day uses 6.00 kWh and costs £1.57/day at the Ofgem cap of 26.11p/kWh (1 July to 30 September 2026).

500 W Panel Heater12 h cold snap: 500 W ÷ 1000 × 12 h × 26.11p/kWh = £1.57/day. Weekly (7 days): £10.97. Annual: £570.24. Coverage: Small bedroom, bathroom, hallway (~8 m²). Source: Energy Saving Trust (wattage, typical/indicative); Ofgem (OGL v3.0).

Per hour
13.1p
Per day (12 h)
£1.57
Per week (7 days)
£10.97
Per year
£570.24

Heater specification

Rated power
500 W (0.5 kWh/h)
Coverage
Small bedroom, bathroom, hallway (~8 m²)
Cost per kWh (Ofgem cap)
26.11p
Cost per hour
13.1p

Energy Saving Trust — typical 500 W panel heater rating

How the cost is worked out

  1. Wattage: 500 W Panel Heater draws 500 W = 0.5 kWh per hour.
  2. Daily use: 0.5 kWh × 12 h = 6.00 kWh/day.
  3. Daily cost: 6.00 kWh × 26.11p = £1.57.
  4. Weekly (7 days): £1.57 × 7 = £10.97.
  5. Annual: £10.97 × 52 = £570.24.

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Updated each time the Ofgem cap changes.

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500 W wattage from Energy Saving Trust — Heating your home guide (typical appliance ratings) (typical/indicative). Unit rate 26.11p/kWh from Ofgem — Energy price cap unit rates and standing charges (1 July to 30 September 2026), OGL v3.0.