How much does the De'Longhi Dragon 4 cost to run?
The De'Longhi Dragon 4 costs 52.6p an hour on maximum, 29.0p on medium and 23.7p on minimum. That is for the 2kW model (TRD40820E), whose three settings are 2,000W, 1,100W and 900W. With the thermostat cycling, an evening on medium usually costs well under £1.16.
| Per day | £1.47 |
|---|---|
| Per week | £10.32 |
| Per month | £44.71 |
| October to March | £268.25 |
| Per year | £536.51 |
Cost on each setting
| Setting | 1 hour | 4 hours | 8 hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum, 2,000W | 52.6p | £2.11 | £4.21 |
| Medium, 1,100W | 29.0p | £1.16 | £2.32 |
| Minimum, 900W | 23.7p | 94.8p | £1.90 |
What each setting costs
The three settings add up neatly: 900W plus 1,100W is 2,000W, the pattern of a radiator with two heating elements that can run one at a time or together. Maximum warms a room fastest. Medium and minimum use less power and suit a room that is already warm or a smaller space.
Notice that minimum is not much cheaper than medium: 900W against 1,100W, a difference of 5.26p an hour. For most rooms, medium with the thermostat set to a comfortable temperature is the best balance of warmth and cost.
Use the thermostat and timer to cut the bill
The Dragon 4 has a digital room thermostat, which switches the elements off once the room reaches the temperature you set and back on as it cools. That is why the calculator starts at 70% of the time heating rather than 100%. In a cold or draughty room, or with the thermostat turned right up, it will be nearer 100%.
Its 24-hour timer lets you warm a room before you get up or come home, rather than leaving it running all day. Heating a room for one hour before you need it and then letting the thermostat hold the temperature costs far less than full power from morning to night.
Is the Dragon 4 cheaper than central heating?
Per unit of heat, gas central heating is usually cheaper: gas costs 7.97p per kWh against 26.32p for electricity. A Dragon 4 saves money when it lets you heat one room and leave the central heating off for the rest of the house. For the full comparison, see what oil-filled radiators cost to run.
Other Dragon 4 versions
De'Longhi sells several radiators under the Dragon 4 and Dragon 4 Pro names, including 2.5kW versions with more fins. The figures on this page are for the 2kW TRD40820E. If yours has a different model number, the wattage is printed on the rating plate on the side or base; type it into the calculator above for an exact cost.
Common questions
How much does the De'Longhi Dragon 4 cost per hour?
The 2kW Dragon 4 (TRD40820E) costs 52.6p an hour on maximum, 29.0p on medium and 23.7p on minimum, at 26.32p per kWh. Once the room is warm the thermostat switches the element off for part of each hour, so the average is usually lower.
How much does it cost to run the Dragon 4 for an evening?
Four hours on the medium setting costs £1.16 if it heats the whole time. If the thermostat has it heating about 70% of the time, which is typical once a closed room has warmed up, that comes to about 81.1p.
Is the Dragon 4 cheaper to run than other oil-filled radiators?
Not per hour at the same wattage: every 2kW heater costs the same while it is drawing 2kW. What can save money is control. The Dragon 4 has a digital room thermostat and a 24-hour timer, so it is easier to heat only when you need it and stop once the room is warm.
What is the difference between the Dragon 4 and Dragon 4 Pro?
De'Longhi sells several versions under the Dragon 4 name, with different controls, finishes and power ratings, including 2kW and 2.5kW models. Check the model number and wattage on the rating plate, then put the wattage into the calculator.
Should I leave the Dragon 4 on all night?
Eight hours on maximum would cost £4.21. Use the anti-frost setting or the timer instead, unless the room must stay warm overnight.