How Much Does It Cost to Use an Electric Radiator in 2025 - A Guide for Seniors

With rising electricity tariffs, many seniors are reassessing their heating methods to keep costs under control. Electric heaters remain one of the most accessible solutions, but it is essential to understand the real costs in 2025.

The basics of calculation: power and price

To estimate the consumption of an electric heater, we need two pieces of information: the appliance's power output (expressed in watts) and the electricity price. Most heaters in the home have a power output of between 1,000 and 2,000W; for our examples, we will use a typical 1,500W model and an average tariff of 0.9 RON/kWh.

A simple calculation formula

The calculation is straightforward: Consumption (kWh) = Power (kW) × Time (hours), and Cost = Consumption × Price per kWh. For a 1,500W (1.5 kW) heater, the costs are:

• 1 hour: 1.35 RON
• 8 hours: 10.8 RON
• 24 hours: 32.4 RON
• 30 days non-stop: 972 RON

The reality: the thermostat makes all the difference

Under normal conditions, heaters do not run continuously, as the thermostat switches the appliance on and off. In a home with average insulation, the actual running time amounts to 50–70% of any given day. With a realistic cycle of 60%, the monthly cost comes to approximately 583 RON to heat an average-sized room.

Factors that influence consumption

The home's insulation is crucial — a poorly insulated room can double energy consumption. Setting the thermostat just 2°C lower reduces consumption by 10–15%. It is also important that the appliance's power output is suited to the size of the room, to avoid unnecessary energy use.

For seniors who heat a single room on a daily basis, the average monthly cost falls between 580 and 600 RON under normal usage conditions, making it a practical and manageable solution for heating the home.