Gas heaters vs oil heaters: Which one is better?

There’s no two ways about it. Indoor gas heaters are more expensive to purchase upfront than oil heaters. That’s because they require professional installation, so you’re looking at shelling out at least four figures for a good gas heater.

Oil heaters on the other hand can be quite affordable upfront - because they’re smaller, more portable and don’t require installation - you just plug ‘em into your powerpoint. You can score a decent oil heater for less than $100.

We’ve got a couple of our best picks for both gas heaters and oil heaters below so you can compare prices.

Gas was once hailed as the cost-effective champion of heating your home - but with the rising prices of gas around the country (and the fact that it’s a limited resource) the pendulum has been swinging away from gas for some time now.

We’ve got a more in-depth guide for the running costs of gas heaters, but the TLDR version is that recent data from Energy Made Easy shows that a low gas-usage heater is about the same cost to run as a mid-powered electric heater. So while it’s about 10c cheaper per MJ (Megajoule - the measurement unit for gas) than it is per average kW of electricity - gas heaters are hungry beasts and you’ll generally need to use more gas than electricity for the same effect.

If you can get your hands on a low MJ gas heater, it could be cheaper to run in the long term - especially if you live in a warmer climate - but generally speaking, a good oil heater is probably going to be more cost-efficient to run.

But oil heaters are not without their disadvantages. Thanks to the gradual heating, it can take some time to heat a room, so while you only need to put the gas heater on for the time you want to heat your home, oil heaters need to be turned on in advance, which can blow out the cost a bit.

There’s a few factors that come into play here. As a general rule, gas heaters will heat a room more quickly, and can easily fill a whole house with warmth. Where you live comes into play though - gas heaters are less effective in the cooler winter climates of the ACT, Tassie and Victoria as they need to work harder to stay warmer. You'll need to pay special attention to what size heater you get in these areas.

Oil heaters on the other hand take a lot longer to warm up a room, so you need to have them switched on for longer, and won’t be effective heating a whole house with a single device (unless you live in a small studio apartment). However, once a room is warm, oil heaters are very good at retaining heat.

Gas heaters are good for those who have the existing infrastructure in their homes to safely hook up a gas heater (and for those wanting extra peace of mind, installing a carbon monoxide alarm can help detect dangerous levels). Homeowners and those who can afford the upfront cost may want to consider a gas heater.

Oil heaters are much more portable and have a low upfront cost, so they’re better for people who are renting, only need to heat up a small space or room, and are conscious of upfront costs.

Even the cheapest heater is not the most-effective way to stay warm, but luckily there are other ways to stay toasty during winter.

Hot drinks

Hot beverages warm us up from the inside - so pop the kettle on and enjoy a cup of Earl Grey. And while it might be tempting to enjoy a hot toddy or two, drinking alcohol actually fast-tracks our body’s cool-down, thanks to our blood cells not constricting as much. Stick to tea (or hot chocolate!).

Layers

Layering up helps trap body heat (rather than wearing one big puffy coat) so whip out the thermal undies, get your skivvie and scarf and wrap yourself in a delicious cocoon of clothing.

Heat packs/hot water bottles

A hot water bottle is a great cost-effective way to stay warm - especially popping one between the sheets before bed. Heat packs don’t stay warm for quite as long, but they get the job done, too.

Flannelette sheets

When the temperature drops, remember to switch over to flannelette sheets - the warmer material will keep you feeling warm and cosy in bed, compared to cotton or bamboo. Pop a few extra blankets on too.

Gloves and socks

We lose heat through our extremities, so when we keep our fingers and tootsies warm, it helps regulate our body temperature and keeps us feeling warm. And there’s nothing worse than cold feet - especially in bed (and especially for the person sleeping next to you) in the dead of winter. Bed socks, ugg boots, wool socks, slippers, gloves - these are all your friends when the temperature drops.

Insulate floors with rugs

Wooden floors are always much colder than carpet, so if your house has the former, then popping down some rugs can help take the chill out of your floors.

Hug someone you love

As if we need an excuse! Snuggling up with a loved one - whether they be human, feline or canine, is a great way to feel cosy and warm, thanks to the transfer of body heat. And it’s a well-known fact pets make excellent heat packs - no microwave needed!