How Much Does It Cost to Run a Space Heater?
A typical electric space heater draws 1,500 watts on its highest setting. At the 2024 US average rate of $0.16/kWh, that works out to about $0.24 per hour, $1.92 for an 8-hour day, and $57.60 a month if you run it 8 hours every day. Below is the simple math, plus tables so you can find your own number.
Want the cost for a different appliance or your exact rate? Use the appliance cost calculator or compare a heater against other devices on the efficiency rankings.
The Formula
Cost = (watts ÷ 1,000) × hours per day × days × price per kWh
Dividing watts by 1,000 converts to kilowatts (kW). Multiplying by hours gives kilowatt-hours (kWh) — the unit your utility bills you in. Multiply by your price per kWh and you have the cost.
Worked example (1,500W heater, 8 h/day, 30 days, $0.16/kWh): (1,500 ÷ 1,000) × 8 × 30 × 0.16 = 1.5 kW × 240 hours × $0.16 = $57.60 per month.
Monthly Cost by Hours of Use
For a 1,500W heater over a 30-day month at $0.16/kWh (the US average). Daily and yearly costs are shown alongside the monthly figure.
| Hours per day | kWh per day | Cost per day | Cost per month | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4h | 6.0 | $0.96 | $28.80 | $350 |
| 8h | 12.0 | $1.92 | $57.60 | $701 |
| 12h | 18.0 | $2.88 | $86.40 | $1051 |
| 24h (continuous) | 36.0 | $5.76 | $172.80 | $2102 |
Monthly Cost by Electricity Rate
Your electricity rate makes a big difference. This table shows the monthly cost of a 1,500W heater across common rates, from low-cost states to high-rate states like Hawaii and the Northeast. Find your rate on your bill, then look up your usage.
| Rate ($/kWh) | 4h/day | 8h/day | 12h/day | 24h/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0.10 | $18.00 | $36.00 | $54.00 | $108.00 |
| $0.13 | $23.40 | $46.80 | $70.20 | $140.40 |
| $0.16 (US avg) | $28.80 | $57.60 | $86.40 | $172.80 |
| $0.20 | $36.00 | $72.00 | $108.00 | $216.00 |
| $0.30 | $54.00 | $108.00 | $162.00 | $324.00 |
Monthly figures assume a 30-day month and a heater running at its full 1,500W. Lower settings (often 750W) cost about half as much, and a thermostat that cycles the heater off cuts the cost further.
Why Space Heaters Cost What They Do
Almost all of them are 1,500W
Standard household outlets are on 15-amp circuits, and 1,500W is the safe maximum a plug-in heater can draw continuously. That is why ceramic, infrared, oil-filled, and fan-forced heaters all converge on the same 1,500W high setting — and why they cost the same to run at that setting. Marketing about “efficiency” rarely affects the electricity bill.
Electric resistance heat is ~100% efficient — but expensive
A space heater turns essentially all the electricity it draws into heat, so it is 100% efficient at the outlet. The catch is that electricity is an expensive way to buy heat compared with natural gas or a heat pump. A heat pump moves 2-3 units of heat per unit of electricity, so it can deliver the same warmth for a fraction of the cost.
Zone heating is where they save money
The smart way to use a space heater is to heat only the room you are in and turn the central thermostat down. Heating one occupied room with a single heater while the rest of the house coasts at a lower temperature can lower a heating bill. Running several heaters to warm the whole house usually costs more than central heat.
Tips to Lower Your Cost
Use a thermostat or eco setting
A heater that cycles off once the room is warm can use far less than its full-power rating — only the runtime counts.
Run the low setting
The 750W setting draws half the power of 1,500W — and half the cost — which is often enough for a small or already-warm room.
Heat one room, not the house
Turn the central thermostat down and heat only the room you occupy. Zone heating is where space heaters pay off.
Seal drafts first
A weatherstripped door or a draft stopper keeps the heat in, so the heater runs fewer hours. See our energy savings guide.
Recommended picks
Efficient Space Heaters Worth a Look
Since nearly all plug-in heaters draw the same 1,500W, the real savings come from heaters that let you run a lower setting, hold heat, or shut off on a thermostat. These categories do that well.
Infrared Quartz Space Heater
Whole-room infrared
Infrared heaters warm objects and people directly, so a room feels warm faster — useful for zone heating one occupied room.
Ceramic Tower Heater with Thermostat
Thermostat + eco mode
A built-in thermostat cycles the heater off once the room is warm, so it draws far less than its full 1,500W rating.
Oil-Filled Radiator Heater
Quiet, steady heat
Holds heat well and runs silently — good for bedrooms where a low (often 700W) setting keeps a small room comfortable.
Energy-Saving Smart Plug-In Heater
App + schedule control
Schedule on/off times and eco modes from your phone so the heater only runs the hours you actually need it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to run a 1500W space heater?
At the 2024 US average rate of $0.16/kWh, a 1500W space heater costs about $0.24 per hour. Running it 8 hours a day for a 30-day month costs roughly $57.60. Run around the clock, the same heater costs about $172.80 per month.
How do I calculate my own space heater cost?
Use this formula: cost = (watts ÷ 1000) × hours per day × days × price per kWh. Find the wattage on the heater's label or rating plate (most plug-in heaters are 1500W on high), and find your price per kWh on your electricity bill under 'energy charge' or 'price per kWh.' Multiply it out for the period you care about.
Are space heaters cheaper than central heating?
It depends on how much of your home you heat. A space heater can save money if you heat only one occupied room and turn the central thermostat down — this is called zone heating. But electric resistance heat (which is what nearly all plug-in space heaters use) is one of the most expensive ways to make heat per unit of energy. Heating several rooms with multiple space heaters usually costs more than running an efficient central system or a heat pump.
Do all space heaters use the same amount of electricity?
Almost all plug-in electric space heaters — whether ceramic, infrared, oil-filled, or fan-forced — top out at 1500W on their highest setting, because that is the safe limit for a standard 15-amp household outlet. They all convert essentially 100% of that electricity into heat, so at the same wattage they cost the same to run. The differences are in how the heat feels and how evenly it spreads, not in efficiency. Using a lower setting (often 750W) or a thermostat to cycle the heater off cuts the cost.