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Overall energy-efficient heater
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Energy-efficient space heater
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Energy-efficient fan heater
Top Pick for
Energy-efficient electric heater
Heaters have become an essential device to keep us warm and toasty during winter, but running costs can get expensive very quickly. To reduce heating costs, you can opt for energy-efficient heaters. They are generally cheaper to run compared to traditional heaters. However, not all energy-efficient heaters are created equal.
Before choosing an energy-efficient heater, determine your heating needs and size requirements. Then, consider if you want a gas, oil, wood or electric option. When comparing heaters, check any energy-efficient functions such as an eco mode, low-emission technology and programmable timer. Other factors to consider are safety features, user-friendliness and portability.
Our team has examined hundreds of heaters from brands like Omega Altise, Rinnai, De'Longhi, Winterwarm and Aiko to find the best energy-efficient heaters. We picked models based on customer reviews and ratings and considered key product features when choosing heaters for each category.
Read more detail on our methodology below.
You've got to be a pretty damn good heater to garner a 4.8-star customer review rating on Appliances Online, The Good Guys AND Bing Lee – but that's exactly what the Rinnai Avenger 25MJ has done. With its 5.8-star energy rating, 5-year warranty and 8.2kW of power it's easily our pick for the best energy-efficient heater overall.
On top of its energy-saving capabilities, this heater is very well made with one customer on Productreview.com.au stating that they've had it for 8 years and "it's still going strong". Which is exactly what you want from a heater that costs $1,799 RRP.
The slimline design comes in silver or white to blend seamlessly with any room decor and is capable of warming up large rooms and open spaces within minutes.
Adding to its efficiency are dual programmable timers, enabling you to adjust the temperature for morning and evening depending on your needs, and an economy mode.
In the 2023 Finder Retail Awards, we surveyed over 34,000 Australians about their retail purchases to discover which were their favourite brands across 170 product categories and over 1,200 total brands.
For heaters, Rinnai was ranked 11th for value for money, 1st for performance, 3rd for ease of use, 4th for cleaning and maintenance and 2nd for product features.
12 brands were rated across these decision criteria.
We recommend the Omega Altise Lancer Radiant/Convector Heater as the best portable model available online. It has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on Harvey Norman.
The Lancer uses radiant and convection heat to warm up rooms at a rate of 15MJ per hour. It also has a fan-only function and 2 heat settings to adapt to any heating needs. For optimum safety, it features a flame-failure shut-off function and a safety tip-over switch. It has a 3-year warranty as well.
With a whopping 5.9-star energy rating, this is an economical choice for heating up areas up to 52sqm. It uses natural gas to create a warm, comforting environment to keep you cosy during cold days. The Lancer also comes with remote control and adjustable temperature for convenience. However, some said it heats slightly slower than other models they've tried in the past.
In the 2021 Finder Retail Awards, we surveyed over 8,000 Australians about their retail purchases to discover which were their favourite brands across 158 product categories.
For heaters, Omega Altise was ranked 1st for value for money, 3rd for features and functions, 4th for heating performance and 1st for safety.
19 brands were rated across these decision criteria.
Portable heaters and space heaters overlap a bit but if you're after a compact device that runs off electricity and is affordable we can't recommend the De'Longhi 1800W Capsule Ceramic Heater enough.
Being a ceramic heater, it heats up quickly and is self-regulating, adjusting its output according to the overall room temperature.
It has 2 power settings and a carry handle lets you transport it easily from room to room. The fan dial can be adjusted to blow cold, warm or hot air and is particularly useful when you need to warm up (or cool down) in a jiffy.
Google reviewers give it a 4.2-star rating commenting on how easy it is to use and carry it around. Customers love how quiet it is, how quickly it heats up spaces and how well the thermostat works at maintaining room temperature.
Perfect for small spaces of up to 55 square feet, one caveat of this is that the cord provided is only one metre long which could be an issue in some rooms. It also doesn't have an auto turn-off function when tipped over so may not be suitable if you have small children or pets at home.
We recommend the De'Longhi 2400W Digital Ceramic Tower Heater as the best energy-efficient electric option. It has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Harvey Norman.
This digital ceramic tower heater features an integrated ceramic heating element to evenly and quickly spread heat in small and medium-sized areas. With optimised heating airflow, this also provides long-lasting warmth to keep you warm and cosy. Apart from a handy safety system, this has a user-friendly touch control panel, 3 power settings and an anti-dust filter.
Customers gave positive feedback on the heater's sleek look, high efficiency and value for money. It features an ECO Plus function that helps regular power flow and manage temperature levels, allowing you to reduce energy costs. This heater is also one of our top choices for the best electric heaters. And because it has an anti-dust filter to remove pollutants and allergens in the air, this heater is suitable for people with asthma and allergies.
Our team selected De'Longhi's Radia 2400W Oil Column Heater with Timer as the best oil option. It has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Harvey Norman and 4.1 out of 5 on Amazon Australia. This model is also what we considered the best oil heater for energy efficiency.
The Radia has 3 power settings and an adjustable timer to cater to any heating requirements. It also features a handy safety thermostat, anti-frost function and takes 12 minutes to evenly distribute long-lasting warmth. And because it has pre-assembled castors, wheels and a carry handle, it is easy to move around.
This has a patented design that the brand claims helps distribute even and long-lasting heat in small and medium rooms. It also uses Real Energy technology that optimises the amount of energy used by steadily increasing heat until the heater reaches your desired temperature.
We recommend the Rinnai Avenger 25 Convector Portable Natural Gas Heater AV25SN3 as the best energy-efficient model for large rooms. It has a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars on Appliances Online.
The Avenger 25 features 8.2kW of power to heat up large rooms in no time. With low-emission technology and a 5.8-star energy rating, it is also an efficient and economical way to keep your household warm during winter. Additionally, it has an economy mode, clean filter light and electronic thermostat for ease of use.
When it comes to safety, the Avenger 25 has a child lock, flame-failure function and a tilt switch. It also has a power failure feature and an overheat switch. The heater's memory function is also quite handy, allowing you to record selected temperatures for future use. It is quite pricey at $1,799, but customers said its durable build, handy features and efficient performance are well worth it.
In the 2023 Finder Retail Awards, we surveyed over 34,000 Australians about their retail purchases to discover which were their favourite brands across 170 product categories and over 1,200 total brands.
For heaters, Rinnai was ranked 11th for value for money, 1st for performance, 3rd for ease of use, 4th for cleaning and maintenance and 2nd for product features.
12 brands were rated across these decision criteria.
For small rooms, we selected the Omega Altise Unflued LPG Convector Heater as the best option.
Designed to heat spaces at a rate of 25MJ per hour, this heater is a versatile option for both small and large rooms. It uses convection heating to provide even and long-lasting warmth. This heater also has a touch glass digital control panel, remote control and a delay timer of up to 24 hours for convenience. As for safety, it has a flame-failure shut-off, child lock and tip-over switch.
This Omega Altise gas heater features 3 heating modes, including an eco mode that optimises energy efficiency. For a quicker heating time, you can use the unit's boost mode. Its remote control is also user-friendly, allowing you to easily set the timer function, adjust temperatures or pick from the different modes. Several reviews said the heater is quite noisy, but this seems to be an isolated concern.
In the 2021 Finder Retail Awards, we surveyed over 8,000 Australians about their retail purchases to discover which were their favourite brands across 158 product categories.
For heaters, Omega Altise was ranked 1st for value for money, 3rd for features and functions, 4th for heating performance and 1st for safety.
19 brands were rated across these decision criteria.
Inspired by Scandinavia, the Nobo 2000W is a sleek and classic looking panel heater that's well priced, has stellar 5-star reviews on Appliances Online and Bing Lee and an energy control system to keep running costs down. This is why it's our pick for the best energy-efficient panel heater.
It uses both convection and radiant heat to warm rooms gradually and with consistency and is recommended for large spaces of up to 20sqm. Add to that a full width-concealed air vent (as opposed to a fan) for distribution and you've got yourself a whisper-quiet unit that won't spread dust and allergens around while warming the place up.
While the Nobo 2000W can be mounted, if you're in a rental or have a tendency to move about the house throughout the day castors can be placed on its base for full portability.
A nifty feature that we're especially impressed by is the 7-day timer and adaptive start, allowing you to schedule and optimise its runtime throughout the week.
For safety there's a tilt switch, child safety lock and overheat safety cut-out. Customers also comment that the panel doesn't get hot to touch which is comforting for families with young children or people with pets.
We recommend the Winterwarm WWDF20E Downflow Electric Bathroom Fan Heater as the best energy-efficient bathroom heater. On Amazon, it has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.
Providing rapid heat and an adjustable heat output at installation, the WWDF20E has earned a spot on our list of the best bathroom heaters. It uses a mechanical pull cord for activation and runs for about 30 minutes before switching off. You can also reactivate it by pulling the cord again. And with a power of 2,000W, this little number can heat up a small bathroom fast. It is IP22-rated for durability, too.
This fan heater is an affordable and energy-efficient option if you're on a budget. It has an easy-to-use mechanical control and a wall-mounted design that is easy to install. Despite being quite simple, this has won the hearts of many Amazon buyers. Customers said this handy heater gets them warm and toasty in no time, while others love that it can help them reduce energy costs. Several reviews wish it came with a light, but this seems to be a minor concern.
Small but mighty this fan heater packs a punch. It's ideal for small spaces such as bathrooms or your workstation. Toss in an average customer review rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on the official De'Longhi site and advanced eco-energy function and it's a winner in our eyes for energy efficiency.
Let's keep talking about power saving, shall we? Called ECO Plus, this nifty function optimises energy consumption by regulating power flow and temperature levels. Simply push a button and let the De'Longhi Digital Ceramic Tower Heater do its job.
If you'd prefer to manually set the fan's blades in motion there are 3 power settings to choose from as well as a room thermostat to keep the temperature where you want it. Ceramic technology assures extra efficacy while a Silence System keeps noise down to 37dB when at its lowest setting. It's a perk that many happy customers have definitely noticed.
A built-in timer, remote control and touch control makes heat adjustment a breeze. There's a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind as well as built-in safety tilt switch in case it accidentally gets knocked over. A must for small and discreet fans such as this. We also like the cool-touch handle for safe and swift movement.
Outdoor heaters come in a wide variety of styles from standalone gas patio heaters to table heaters. One of the most energy-efficient are radiant heaters. Otherwise known as infrared heaters they heat only the surfaces they come in direct contact with so there's less heat loss in ambient air.
One that ticks all the boxes is the Lenoxx 2000W 2.1m Free Standing Adjustable Outdoor Electric Patio Heater. It uses a quartz heating element for high efficacy, has 3 power settings (low 650W, medium 1,350W, high 2,000W) and has a 4.2-star rating on Amazon.
As an outdoor heater you can adjust the height from 170cm to 210cm. It uses a simple pull-chain mechanism to turn it on and off and has a sturdy base to avoid tipping over. If that happens there's a tip-over switch for safety. The IPX4 water-resistant rating ensures it's splash proof against little accidents or spits of rain.
For space saving it can be wall-mounted and can be adjusted 45° for optimal heating.
Amazon reviewers say it works best in areas that are partially covered, this is likely due to its infrared nature. For energy saving it's best kept on the lowest setting as it can get quite hot when at 2,000W.
When it comes to the best gas option, we recommend the Rinnai Granada 252 Radiant Convector LPG 252L. It has a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars on Google reviews.
The Granada 252 is the largest model from Rinnai's Portable Radiant Convector range, quickly and evenly heating rooms up to 52sqm. It features a powerful fan and high heat output for long-lasting warmth. And with 3 heat settings and a 2-speed fan, this can accommodate all your heating requirements.
Part of our list of the best gas heaters, the Granada 252 has an 8.5MJ per hour output on low settings and 25MJ on high. It also has an impressive 5.9-star energy rating, to help reduce running costs. For safety, this heater features a tilt switch-off function, dress guard, sensors and flame-failure device. However, this doesn't have a child lock.
In the 2023 Finder Retail Awards, we surveyed over 34,000 Australians about their retail purchases to discover which were their favourite brands across 170 product categories and over 1,200 total brands.
For heaters, Rinnai was ranked 11th for value for money, 1st for performance, 3rd for ease of use, 4th for cleaning and maintenance and 2nd for product features.
12 brands were rated across these decision criteria.
We recommend Bitzong's Energy Efficient Portable Office & Home Electric Ceramic Heater as the best cheap option. It has a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Featuring an energy-efficient and compact design, this electric ceramic heater is suitable for warming small rooms. It claims to have a quick heating feature as well as cold and hot air modes for ultimate versatility. It is also flame resistant and has a safety power-off for protection.
This heater has a wide-angle automatic swing to quickly and evenly distribute warmth through the room. Customers said it is extremely user-friendly, thanks to its LED power indicator and thermostat control. Apart from a quiet operation, several reviews praised the heater's sleek design. However, one critic said it doesn't instantly turn off when tilted over.
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13Our team has examined hundreds of energy-efficient heaters – from gas, electric, oil and portable options. We looked into models from the following brands:
We created a shortlist based on customer ratings and reviews (as of July 2022). We also considered each model's key product features, including price, energy rating, safety features and size coverage. We came up with what we believe are the 13 best energy-efficient heaters you can get right now in Australia.
In terms of energy efficiency, reverse-cycle conditioners, wood heaters and gas heaters are at the forefront.
Reverse-cycle conditioners are the most energy efficient. Other electric and gas heaters use energy to create heat, while a reverse-cycle conditioner takes heat from outside your home and releases it to heat a room.
Most gas heaters have an energy rating of 5.8 or 5.9 stars, which means they are about 90% efficient.
The gas energy rating helps consumers compare the energy efficiency of different gas heaters in the market. It is part of the certification requirements. All states and territories require both LPG and natural gas heaters for sale to be tested and certified under AS4553. However, the gas energy rating is not under the E3 program.
Modern wood heaters have an energy efficiency of up to 80%, depending on the model. However, they can produce more greenhouse gas compared to other types of energy-efficient heaters.
Oil heaters are also quite energy efficient as they retain heat quite well. And when an oil heater hits your desired temperature, it automatically turns off. This can help you reduce running costs.
Electric heaters are not as efficient as other options. Most electric heaters need constant power to keep an area warm and toasty.
Consider the following factors when choosing an energy-efficient heater:
Find a heater that can warm the room where you'll be using it. A heater that is too small for an area wastes energy and may increase your bill. Make sure to check the heater's size capacity when shopping.
Choose between gas, wood, oil, electric and reverse-cycle options. Gas, wood and reverse-cycle heaters are more energy efficient than electric models. However, electric heaters are more user-friendly.
Opt for a heater with energy-saving features such as an eco mode, low-emission technology, programmable timer and multiple heat settings.
Make sure to pick a heater with a child lock, auto shut-off system and a tilt switch and overheat protection for a worry-free heating operation.
Here are several tips that can help you reduce your heating costs:
Read our guide to know more about winter heating costs.
The Finder Customer Satisfaction Awards is an annual national survey conducted in partnership with research firm Dynata. With over 30,000 real shoppers participating, the awards serve as a reliable reflection of Australian consumers' preferences and opinions.
Here are scores for heater brands from 2024.
92% of surveyed consumers recommend Rinnai heaters.
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