Space heater running cost
| Heater setting | Per hour | 8 hours | Month (8 h/day) | Month (24/7) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400 W | $0.07 | $0.58 | $17.28 | $51.84 |
| 750 W | $0.14 | $1.08 | $32.40 | $97.20 |
| 1,000 W | $0.18 | $1.44 | $43.20 | $129.60 |
| 1,500 W | $0.27 | $2.16 | $64.80 | $194.40 |
| State (example) | Typical rate | 1,500 W per hour | Month (8 h/day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah / North Dakota | 11¢ | $0.17 | $39.60 |
| Texas | 15¢ | $0.23 | $54.00 |
| US average | 18¢ | $0.27 | $64.80 |
| New York | 26¢ | $0.39 | $93.60 |
| California | 33¢ | $0.49 | $118.80 |
Use your own wattage and rate. Open the electricity cost calculator →
How to work out the cost
Cost per hour = watts ÷ 1,000 × your price per kWh. Example: 1,500 W ÷ 1,000 = 1.5 kWh per hour; 1.5 × $0.18 = $0.27. Find the wattage on the heater’s label and your price per kWh on your electric bill (divide the total by kWh used for an all-in rate).
Is a space heater cheaper than central heat?
- Cheaper when you heat one room and turn the whole-house thermostat down 5–10°F. For example, heating a bedroom at night or a home office during the day.
- More expensive if you try to heat the whole house with several space heaters. All electric resistance heaters (space heaters, baseboards) turn 1 kWh into the same amount of heat.
- Heat pumps deliver 2–4 times as much heat per kWh as a space heater, and natural gas furnaces are usually cheaper per unit of heat in most states.
Save money and stay safe
- Use the thermostat or eco mode, and close the door of the room you’re heating.
- Plug straight into a wall outlet, never an extension cord or power strip.
- Keep 3 feet of space around it; never leave it running unattended or while you sleep unless it’s designed for that, with tip-over and overheat shut-off.
- All heaters are about 100% efficient, so ignore “saves 50%” marketing. Savings come only from heating less space.
Questions
How much does a 1500 watt space heater cost per hour?
About $0.27 at the 2026 US average of 18¢ per kWh, from about 17¢ in cheap states to about 50¢ in California.
How much does a space heater add to my electric bill per month?
Running a 1,500 W heater 8 hours a day adds about $64.80 a month at the US average rate, less if it cycles on a thermostat.
Is it cheaper to run a space heater all night?
A 1,500 W heater on high all night (8 hours) costs about $2.16. On low (750 W) it’s about $1.08.
Do space heaters use a lot of electricity?
Yes. At 1,500 W they’re among the biggest power users in a home, similar to a hair dryer, but running for hours.