Heating costs
How much an electric convector costs to run
The bill depends on the heater's power, the time its element actually heats and your electricity tariff.
Updated:
The short answer
Multiply power in kilowatts by the hours the heating element actually runs, then by your tariff. WCH-H2000L uses 2 kWh per hour of continuous heating; WCH-H1000L uses 1 kWh. A thermostat cycles the element on and off. A suitable temperature setting and schedule can prevent unnecessary heating, but ECO mode alone does not guarantee lower total consumption.
The formula
Energy used (kWh) = power (kW) × actual heating time (hours). Cost = energy used × the tariff per kWh. At maximum power, WCH-H2000L uses 2 kWh in one hour of continuous heating and WCH-H1000L uses 1 kWh. Count the heating time once, not again after calculating the energy used.
How the thermostat affects consumption
The thermostat switches the heating element on and off to maintain the selected temperature. The WCH-H series offers settings from 5 to 35 °C. How long the element stays on depends on heat loss and the temperature setting; the controls may still use a small amount of electricity while the element is off.
ECO mode and half power
In ECO mode, WCH-H convectors use half power: 1000 W on WCH-H2000L and 500 W on WCH-H1000L. This reduces power while the element is on, but it may need to run longer to supply the same heat. Half power does not automatically mean half the energy bill.
Schedule and open-window function
The weekly schedule heats only in the hours the room is used. If the temperature drops by 2 °C within 2 minutes, the open-window function activates automatically and heating stops so you do not heat the street. Frost protection holds 7 °C in a room that is temporarily unused.
What else affects the bill
Insulation, glazing, ceiling height, ventilation and the temperature setting affect the room's heat demand. A heater must be able to meet that demand, but a higher power rating alone does not establish its daily consumption. Check that the electrical supply meets the chosen model's installation requirements.
Low-cost heating checklist
- Use the model's power in kilowatts and the element's actual heating hours.
- Set the thermostat to a realistic comfort temperature, not the maximum.
- Choose the power mode for the room; compare total kWh, not the ECO label alone.
- Program the weekly schedule around the household's routine.
- Close doors and remove draughts so the thermostat calls for heat less often.
Common mistakes
- Comparing models by maximum power alone.
- Keeping the thermostat at maximum in the hope of heating faster.
- Heating a room with a permanently open window or door.
- Plugging the heater into a socket shared with other high-power appliances.
WetAir manuals and support
Check the exact model requirements
If the convector runs continuously and never reaches the set temperature, check the sizing in the room-size guide or contact WetAir service.
Sources and verification
Power ratings, ECO, open-window and frost-protection figures come from the WCH-H series manual. Cost examples are illustrative; actual consumption depends on the room and the tariff.
Frequently asked questions
Does a heater draw 2000 W all the time?
No. That is the maximum while heating. With a thermostat the element switches off once the set temperature is reached, so average consumption is lower.
Does ECO mode save energy?
Not necessarily. Half power can mean a longer heating period for the same room temperature. Savings depend on avoiding unnecessary heat, not on the ECO label alone.
How many kWh a day does a convector use?
Multiply power in kW by the hours the element actually heats during the day. There is no reliable universal duty-cycle fraction: compare meter readings under similar conditions, accounting for other appliances.