When it comes to heating your home with a touch of style, fireplaces are still a popular go-to in the UK. But the days of everyone defaulting to a wood-burning hearth are long gone. These days, the real showdown is between gas and electric fireplaces. They’re clean, easy to install, and come in more styles than your average tile showroom. But there’s one question that comes up time and time again: which is actually cheaper to run?
It’s a fair question, especially now. With energy bills continuing to fluctuate and households looking for cost-effective ways to stay warm and cosy, understanding the real-world cost differences between gas and electric fireplaces is more important than ever.
First, what do we mean by “cheaper”?
When most people ask “which is cheaper?”, they’re really asking two things:
- How much does it cost to run day to day?
- What’s the overall cost of ownership — including installation, maintenance, and efficiency over time?
We’ll break it down properly, but keep this in mind: the cheapest upfront isn’t always the cheapest long-term. And sometimes, the difference in cost might be worth it for convenience, ambience, or aesthetic.
Energy Prices: Gas vs Electricity
Let’s start with the basics. In the UK, gas is typically cheaper per unit of energy than electricity. As of early 2025, gas sits around 7–8p per kWh, while electricity is somewhere between 22–28p per kWh — roughly three times more expensive.
That sounds like a win for gas fireplaces, right?
Well, not necessarily.
While gas is cheaper per unit, electric fires are 100% efficient at the point of use. That means every penny you spend goes into producing heat. No flue losses, no wasted energy. In contrast, gas fireplaces often lose a chunk of their heat up the chimney, especially if they’re older inset models or open-fronted designs.
So yes, electricity costs more per unit, but electric fires waste nothing. With gas, it depends entirely on the type of fireplace and how it’s used.
Real-World Running Costs
To make things easier, here’s a very rough ballpark comparison for running each for 1 hour:
- Electric fireplace (2kW)
– 2kW x 25p = 50p per hour - Gas fireplace (5kW, 70% efficiency)
– 5kW x 0.07 = 35p gross
– 35p x 70% efficiency = approx. 50p of usable heat per hour
Funny how that works out, isn’t it?
But it’s not always neck and neck. If your gas fire is more efficient (e.g. balanced flue or glass-fronted), it can edge ahead. On the flip side, a cheap electric fire on a thermostat or flicker-only mode (with no heat) could run for pennies.
So again, the devil’s in the details.
Installation Costs: A Hidden Factor
Here’s where electric fireplaces often start pulling ahead.
Installing a gas fireplace typically requires:
- A Gas Safe registered engineer
- A flue or chimney
- Ventilation checks
- Possibly alterations to the hearth or wall
- Ongoing servicing every 1–2 years
All of that comes at a cost. Depending on the model and complexity, you might be looking at £500–£2,000 just to get a gas fire installed and signed off.
Electric fireplaces? Plug it in. Maybe screw it to the wall. That’s it.
Installation for an electric fire could cost as little as £0–£100, unless you’re doing something fancy with media walls or built-in features. Even then, it’s usually cheaper than running a gas pipe and modifying your chimney breast.
Maintenance and Servicing
Electric fires are about as low-maintenance as it gets. There are no real moving parts, no combustion, no emissions. If it breaks, it’s usually a case of replacing a part or the whole unit — but that’s rare, and many modern units come with warranties.
Gas fires, on the other hand, require:
- Annual servicing (recommended)
- Safety checks for carbon monoxide
- Occasional part replacements
- Potential issues with ignition or flues
It’s not a nightmare, but it’s something to factor into total ownership cost. An annual service alone could be £70–£120.
Longevity and Usage Patterns
This one depends entirely on how you use it. If you’re the type to run your fireplace constantly for warmth, then energy efficiency and fuel cost matter a lot. If, however, you use your fireplace more for ambience — like on evenings or weekends — then electric models may prove more cost-effective in the long run due to lower maintenance and install costs.
Plus, many electric fires now feature separate flame and heat settings, meaning you can have the “look” of a real fire all year round — without sweating through your T-shirt in July.
Gas fires do a better job of throwing out serious heat fast. But that also means higher running costs if you’re relying on them often.
Aesthetic and Lifestyle Factors
While not strictly a cost factor, it’s worth mentioning that a fireplace is as much a design feature as a heating source.
- If you want a modern, wall-mounted media unit with LED flame effects? Electric all the way.
- Want a real flame and don’t mind the extra installation? Go for gas.
But if you’re budget-conscious and looking for low-hassle heat, electric is often the best value over time.
Final Verdict: Which Is Cheaper?
| Cost Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Fuel Cost per Unit | Gas |
| Efficiency | Electric |
| Installation Cost | Electric |
| Maintenance | Electric |
| Total Ownership Cost | Electric (in most cases) |
So, electric fireplaces are often cheaper to run overall, especially when you factor in installation and servicing. But a high-efficiency gas fire can still be more cost-effective purely on running cost, especially in large spaces or where consistent high heat is needed.
TL;DR?
If you’re after low-cost installation, low-maintenance ownership, and flexible ambience, go electric.
If you want traditional heat and don’t mind the upfront cost, gas might still edge it for you.
But whichever you choose, make sure it suits your lifestyle, usage, and energy habits — and always get expert advice if you’re not sure.
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