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Space Heater Cost Calculator
Find out how much your electric space heater really costs to run per hour, per month and over a whole winter. Adjust the numbers below to match your heater and your electric rate.
Check the label on the heater. Most plug-in heaters max out at 1,500 W on high and about 750 W on low.
19¢ is roughly the 2026 U.S. average. Your bill lists your actual rate.
Heaters with a thermostat cycle on and off, so they use less than their full wattage.
How much does a space heater cost per hour?
A typical 1,500 watt space heater running nonstop on high uses 1.5 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity every hour. Here is what that costs at different electricity rates:
| Electric rate | Per hour | 8 hrs/day for a month |
|---|---|---|
| 12¢ / kWh | $0.18 | $43.20 |
| 15¢ / kWh | $0.23 | $54.00 |
| 19¢ / kWh (U.S. avg.) | $0.29 | $68.40 |
| 25¢ / kWh | $0.38 | $90.00 |
| 30¢ / kWh | $0.45 | $108.00 |
| 40¢ / kWh | $0.60 | $144.00 |
These are worst-case numbers for a heater running at full power the whole time. If your heater has a thermostat, real costs are often 30% to 60% lower.
How the cost is calculated
Electric heaters are easy to estimate because their power draw is printed right on the label. The math is:
For example, a 1,500 W heater running 6 hours at 19¢ per kWh: 1.5 × 6 × $0.19 = $1.71 per day.
The calculator also applies a run-time factor. A heater with a thermostat shuts off once the room reaches the set temperature and turns back on as it cools, so over a full day it may only be drawing power half the time.
Ways to lower what your space heater costs
- Use the thermostat or low setting. Running at 750 W instead of 1,500 W cuts the cost in half.
- Heat the room you're in, not the whole house. A space heater saves money when you turn the central thermostat down at the same time.
- Close the door. A smaller space reaches temperature faster, so the heater cycles off sooner.
- Use a timer. Warming a bedroom for an hour before bed costs far less than running it until morning.
- Seal drafts. Gaps under doors and around windows let heat escape and keep the heater running longer.
- Plug it directly into the wall. Space heaters draw a lot of current and should not run on extension cords or power strips.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a 1500 watt space heater?
A 1,500 watt heater uses 1.5 kWh per hour on high. At about 19¢ per kWh, that is roughly 29¢ an hour, or about $68 a month if it runs 8 hours a day.
Do space heaters use a lot of electricity?
Yes, compared to most household devices. A 1,500 watt heater draws more power than a refrigerator, TV and laptop combined. Running one for several hours a day can noticeably raise your monthly bill.
Are some electric space heaters more efficient than others?
Not really. Nearly all plug-in electric heaters turn close to 100% of their electricity into heat, so a 1,500 W ceramic heater and a 1,500 W oil-filled radiator produce about the same heat for the same cost. Thermostats and timers save money by running the heater less.
Is it cheaper to use a space heater than central heat?
It can be, if you use the space heater to warm one room and turn down the thermostat for the rest of the home. Heating a whole house with several space heaters is usually more expensive than central heating.
Does a space heater cost more on high or low?
On high, a typical heater draws about 1,500 W. On low, about 750 W. Running on low costs roughly half as much per hour, though it may need to run longer to warm the room.