Is a heat lamp expensive to run?

For chicks and pets, a lower-watt heat plate held close often replaces a lamp that heats the whole room. At typical use it adds about $15.04 to a monthly electric bill at the US-average rate, but that swings from $10.50 in the cheapest states to $39.11 in the most expensive.

How many watts does a heat lamp use?

Heat Lamp typically draws about 250 running watts. It's a resistive load, so its startup and running wattage are the same. Check the nameplate or label on your specific unit for its exact rating.

How much electricity (kWh) does a heat lamp use?

At typical use (250 W for 12 hours a day), a heat lamp uses about 3.0 kWh per day — roughly 91 kWh per month, or about 11% of what the average US home uses in a month (863 kWh). Energy used doesn't depend on your electricity rate — only the bill does.

How can I lower the cost of running a heat lamp?

For chicks and pets, a lower-watt heat plate held close often replaces a lamp that heats the whole room. You can also cut the cost by lowering your electricity rate — many utilities offer cheaper off-peak hours — or simply by running it fewer hours. The calculator on this page shows how changing hours per day or your electricity rate moves the number.

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Heat Lamp?

A 250-watt heat lamp is a small resistance heater — half a day of brooder or bathroom warmth adds up over a season. At the US-average rate of 16.5¢/kWh, running a heat lamp costs about $15.04/month ($180.46/year) at typical use. Adjust the watts, hours, and your rate below for your exact number.

Power (watts)

Hours per day: 12

Days per week: 7

Your state (sets the rate)

Electricity rate ($/kWh)

Cost to run a heat lamp

$180/yr

Per day: $0.49
Per month: $15.04
Energy per year: 1,095 kWh

Cost = power (kW) × hours × days × your rate. Defaults are typical values — enter your appliance's actual watts (often on a label) and your real rate for a precise figure.

How much electricity does a heat lamp use?

At 250 W for 12 hours a day, a heat lamp uses about 3.0 kWh per day — roughly 91 kWh per month and 1,095 kWh per year. That's about 11% of the 863 kWh the average US home uses in a month. Energy use is the same everywhere — only the price per kWh changes your bill.

Wondering about the circuit instead? See how many amps a heat lamp draws.

Cost to run a heat lamp by electricity rate

Same 250 W appliance, 12 h/day — the bill changes with where you live.

Scenario	Rate	Per month	Per year
Cheapest states (North Dakota)	11.5¢	$10.50	$126.03
US average	16.5¢	$15.04	$180.46
Most expensive (Hawaii)	42.9¢	$39.11	$469.32

Find your state's rate on the electricity rates by state page, or see the appliance wattage chart for more devices.

Frequently asked questions

At the US-average residential rate of 16.5¢/kWh, a heat lamp drawing 250 watts for about 12 hours a day costs roughly $0.49 per day, $15.04 per month, and $180.46 per year. Your actual cost depends on your electricity rate and how much you use it, and the calculator on this page adjusts for both.

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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Heat Lamp?

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Cost to run a heat lamp by electricity rate

Frequently asked questions