If you are trying to work out gas fire running costs, you only need three things: your gas unit price, roughly how much gas the fire uses on the setting you run it, and how long you use it for.
This guide gives you a simple calculator style method, then a worked example. It also explains why the same fire can cost very different amounts to run depending on the home, the flue, the room size, and the heat setting.
If you would rather talk it through in person, bring a couple of room photos and rough measurements. In our Warrington showroom you can compare gas fires that are designed for different types of openings and flue routes.
Quick calculator: gas fire cost per hour
Use this basic formula:
Running cost per hour = gas used per hour in kWh × your gas unit price per kWh
You can find your unit price on your bill or in your energy app. It is usually shown as pence per kWh.
The tricky part is the gas used per hour. Many product brochures list input or maximum input. Your real use depends on the setting you choose. If you do not have the exact figure, you can still get a sensible estimate by using the input figure as an upper guide and then thinking about how often you run it on high.
Worked example using your own tariff
Example only, use your own unit price.
- Your gas unit price: 10p per kWh
- You run the fire at an estimated 3 kWh of gas per hour on the setting you usually use
Cost per hour = 3 × 10p = 30p per hour.
If you run it for two hours, that is about 60p for that session. If you run it for two hours a day for 30 days, that is about 18 pounds for the month on those assumptions.
What changes the running cost most
- Heat setting: low versus high makes the biggest difference.
- Efficiency and heat control: a higher efficiency design can deliver more useful room heat for the same gas used, depending on the setup.
- Your home: insulation, draughts, and room size change how hard the fire has to work.
- How you heat the room: one room heating is different to heating the whole house through central heating.
Gas fire versus central heating for one room
Customers often ask if it is cheaper to use a room heater rather than turning the whole heating on. The honest answer is that it depends on your system and how your home is zoned.
If you are only using one room for an evening, a room focused heat source can make sense. If the whole house is already being heated, the difference is smaller. The best approach is to think about what you are trying to warm and for how long.
How to reduce running costs without losing comfort
- Use the lowest comfortable setting once the room feels warm.
- Keep internal doors closed so you are not trying to heat the whole house.
- Make sure the appliance is serviced and set up correctly so it operates as designed.
- Choose a design that suits your opening and flue route so you are not forcing a compromise.
Frequently asked questions
Does a higher efficiency gas fire always cost less to run
Not always. Higher efficiency can mean more useful heat into the room for a given gas input, but your setting and how you use it still matters most.
Can I run the flame effect without heat
That is common on many electric fires, but gas fires usually produce heat when the burner is on. If you want a flame effect with no heat, an electric fire may suit you better.
Is it cheaper to run a gas fire or an electric fire
It depends on your electricity and gas unit prices and the heat output you actually use. Electric fires are often simple to estimate because the kW setting is clear. Gas fires vary more by model and setting.
How many hours a day is normal
There is no single normal. Some people use a fire for an hour in the evening, others use it as regular room heat. The calculator method above works for any pattern.
Can you help me choose the right style for my room
Yes. If you bring room photos, opening measurements, and a note of any existing flue, we can talk through options in the showroom and explain the practical differences.
Visit the Warrington showroom
Heatwave Fireplaces, Osnath Works, Lythgoes Lane, Warrington, WA2 7XE. Call 01925 230045.