AUSTRALIA · HOME HEATING CALCULATOR
Estimate home heating running costs in Australia for direct electric heaters, reverse-cycle air conditioners and gas heaters using your own tariff and usage pattern — or calculate from a known annual energy figure.
HomeBillLab calculator
Estimate home heating running cost
Estimate the running cost of an electric heater, reverse-cycle air conditioner or gas heater using your own tariff and usage pattern — or use a known annual energy figure.
Why can real heating costs differ?
Outdoor temperature, thermostat setting, insulation, air leakage, room size, zoning, heater sizing, cycling, inverter operation and occupancy can all change real energy use.
What should I use for a reverse-cycle air conditioner?
If you know electrical input power, use that. If you only know heating output in kW, select Heating output + COP and enter a model-specific COP or performance figure. For annual comparisons, the climate-zone heating kWh on a Zoned Energy Rating Label may be a useful alternative.
Does the gas estimate include electricity used by fans?
No. The gas-input method estimates the gas usage charge only. Some gas heaters also use electricity for fans and controls, so that extra electricity cost is not included unless you calculate it separately.
Privacy: calculations run in your browser. The numbers you enter are not submitted to HomeBillLab.
How the heating running cost calculator works
Running cost depends on the energy a heater actually buys from the electricity or gas network, the applicable usage tariff and how long the system operates.
Electrical input power in kW × electricity price in $/kWh × operating time.
For a reverse-cycle air conditioner, heating capacity and electrical input are different quantities. If you only have heating output, the calculator estimates electrical input by dividing heating output by the COP you enter. For gas heaters, the calculator uses the gas input rate in MJ/h and your gas usage rate in c/MJ.
Choose the method that matches the information you have
Direct electric heater
Use the electrical input power shown on the heater rating plate or specification. Resistance heaters convert electricity directly into heat at the point of use, so the running-cost calculation starts with electrical input power.
Reverse-cycle air conditioner
Use electrical input power if available. If only heating output is known, use the output + COP option. Reverse-cycle systems move heat rather than generating all heat through electric resistance.
Gas heater
Use the gas input or consumption rate in MJ/h and the gas usage tariff in c/MJ. Product efficiency affects how much useful heat reaches the room, but an input-rate calculation estimates the purchased gas cost directly.
Known annual energy
Use this when you have annual kWh or MJ from a label, technical document, energy model or measurement. It applies your tariff directly to that annual energy figure.
Reverse-cycle heating and the Zoned Energy Rating Label
Australian Energy Rating guidance says reverse-cycle air conditioners are generally the most energy-efficient combined heating and cooling system. Non-ducted air conditioners use the Zoned Energy Rating Label, which provides climate-zone information including estimated annual heating energy use in kWh. The label is designed for comparison; your actual annual energy use can be higher or lower.
What can change real heating costs?
Climate and outdoor temperature
Heating demand changes with weather. Colder locations and colder periods can require longer run times and higher heating output.
Insulation and air leakage
Ceiling, wall and floor insulation, glazing, draughts and building design affect how quickly heat escapes from the home.
Thermostat and zoning
Set temperature, occupied rooms and whether the system heats one zone or the whole home can materially change operating time and energy use.
System performance
Reverse-cycle performance varies with operating conditions. Gas-heater efficiency also varies by design, and some gas systems use electricity for fans and controls.
Related Australian energy guides
Use these guides to check assumptions, follow worked examples and compare common household scenarios.
Guide
Electric Heater vs Reverse-Cycle Air Conditioner: Running Costs
Compare a direct electric heater with reverse-cycle heating using electrical input, runtime, COP and the tariff on your electricity bill.
Guide
How Much Does a 2kW Heater Cost to Run in Australia?
A transparent 2,000 W electric-heater calculation with hourly, daily and winter scenarios using your own tariff.
Guide
Reverse-Cycle Heating Running Cost in Australia
Estimate reverse-cycle heating running cost from electrical input, COP or climate-zone annual kWh, using your own electricity tariff and realistic winter use.
Official Australian references
- energy.gov.au — Heating and cooling
- energy.gov.au — Household electrification
- Energy Rating — Heating and cooling
- Energy Rating — Understand the Zoned Energy Rating Label
Reviewed: 21 August 2026.
Home heating running cost calculator FAQs
Should I use heating capacity or electrical input power?
For an electricity running-cost calculation, use electrical input power. Heating capacity is the heat delivered by the system and is not the same as electricity drawn from the grid. If you only know heating capacity for a reverse-cycle air conditioner, use the output + COP method.
Does this include the daily electricity or gas supply charge?
No. A daily supply charge is a property-level fixed charge and is not caused by one heater alone. Use the Electricity Bill Calculator for a whole-house electricity bill estimate including the daily supply charge.
Can I use the annual heating kWh from an air-conditioner label?
Yes. Select Known annual energy and enter the heating kWh figure for the climate zone you want to examine, then enter your applicable electricity usage rate. Treat the result as an estimate rather than a guarantee of actual annual use.
Why might my real cost be different?
Heating use changes with climate, insulation, air leakage, thermostat settings, room size, occupancy, zoning, system sizing, cycling, inverter behaviour and tariffs.