Is a space heater expensive to run?

Heating one room with a space heater is cheap; running several for hours is how electric bills spike in winter. A heat pump moves heat for a fraction of the watts. At typical use it adds about $45.11 to a monthly electric bill at the US-average rate, but that swings from $31.51 in the cheapest states to $117.33 in the most expensive.

How many watts does a space heater use?

Space Heater typically draws about 1,500 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 space heater use?

At typical use (1,500 W for 6 hours a day), a space heater uses about 9.0 kWh per day — roughly 274 kWh per month, or about 32% 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 space heater?

Heating one room with a space heater is cheap; running several for hours is how electric bills spike in winter. A heat pump moves heat for a fraction of the watts. 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 Space Heater?

A 1,500-watt space heater is one of the most expensive small appliances to run — it pulls the same power whether you heat one room or the whole house. At the US-average rate of 16.5¢/kWh, running a space heater costs about $45.11/month ($541.37/year) at typical use. Adjust the watts, hours, and your rate below for your exact number.

Power (watts)

Hours per day: 6

Days per week: 7

Your state (sets the rate)

Electricity rate ($/kWh)

Cost to run a space heater

$541/yr

Per day: $1.48
Per month: $45.11
Energy per year: 3,285 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 space heater use?

At 1,500 W for 6 hours a day, a space heater uses about 9.0 kWh per day — roughly 274 kWh per month and 3,285 kWh per year. That's about 32% 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 space heater draws.

Cost to run a space heater by electricity rate

Same 1,500 W appliance, 6 h/day — the bill changes with where you live.

Scenario	Rate	Per month	Per year
Cheapest states (North Dakota)	11.5¢	$31.51	$378.10
US average	16.5¢	$45.11	$541.37
Most expensive (Hawaii)	42.9¢	$117.33	$1,407.95

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 space heater drawing 1,500 watts for about 6 hours a day costs roughly $1.48 per day, $45.11 per month, and $541.37 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 Space Heater?

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Cost to run a space heater by electricity rate

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