Electric Furnace running cost, by state
A electric furnace drawing 15000W costs about $2,711 a year at the US average electricity rate — but that average hides a fourfold spread. Pick your state for a real figure.
At the US average rate
15000W at a 45% duty cycle, 6 hours a day, at 18.34¢/kWh.
About this appliance
Electric resistance furnaces are the most expensive common way to heat a home. At 10 to 20 kilowatts they dwarf every other load in the house, and in high-rate states the winter cost can exceed the rest of the bill combined.
- Nameplate wattage is not running cost. This electric furnace draws about 15000W when active, but cycles roughly 45% of the time it is switched on, so effective consumption is near 6750W.
- At typical use this is a major load - around 14,783 kWh a year. Efficiency upgrades here pay back faster than on any small appliance.
- Insulation and air sealing reduce runtime, which lowers cost more reliably than adjusting the thermostat by a degree.
- If your utility offers time-of-use pricing, shifting this load off-peak can cut its cost substantially without using any less energy.
Annual cost in every state
Sorted cheapest first. Click any state for the full calculation with that state’s rate loaded.
| State | Rate /kWh | Per month | Per year | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | 13.11¢ | $162 | $1,938 | |
| Nebraska | 13.25¢ | $163 | $1,959 | |
| Utah | 13.37¢ | $165 | $1,976 | |
| Louisiana | 13.49¢ | $166 | $1,994 | |
| Tennessee | 14.07¢ | $173 | $2,080 | |
| Arkansas | 14.12¢ | $174 | $2,087 | |
| North Dakota | 14.12¢ | $174 | $2,087 | |
| Kentucky | 14.26¢ | $176 | $2,108 | |
| Oklahoma | 14.33¢ | $177 | $2,118 | |
| Idaho | 14.37¢ | $177 | $2,124 | |
| North Carolina | 14.74¢ | $182 | $2,179 | |
| Mississippi | 14.88¢ | $183 | $2,200 | |
| Washington | 14.91¢ | $184 | $2,204 | |
| New Mexico | 15.06¢ | $186 | $2,226 | |
| Florida | 15.10¢ | $186 | $2,232 | |
| Montana | 15.14¢ | $187 | $2,238 | |
| Arizona | 15.18¢ | $187 | $2,244 | |
| Wyoming | 15.24¢ | $188 | $2,253 | |
| South Dakota | 15.36¢ | $189 | $2,271 | |
| West Virginia | 15.45¢ | $190 | $2,284 | |
| South Carolina | 15.55¢ | $192 | $2,299 | |
| Kansas | 15.71¢ | $194 | $2,322 | |
| Iowa | 15.93¢ | $196 | $2,355 | |
| Texas | 15.94¢ | $197 | $2,356 | |
| Missouri | 16.22¢ | $200 | $2,398 | |
| Oregon | 16.32¢ | $201 | $2,413 | |
| Georgia | 16.36¢ | $202 | $2,418 | |
| Alabama | 16.40¢ | $202 | $2,424 | |
| Colorado | 17.13¢ | $211 | $2,532 | |
| Virginia | 17.22¢ | $212 | $2,546 | |
| Indiana | 17.51¢ | $216 | $2,588 | |
| Minnesota | 17.52¢ | $216 | $2,590 | |
| Ohio | 19.19¢ | $237 | $2,837 | |
| Delaware | 19.29¢ | $238 | $2,852 | |
| Wisconsin | 19.56¢ | $241 | $2,891 | |
| Illinois | 19.89¢ | $245 | $2,940 | |
| Pennsylvania | 21.73¢ | $268 | $3,212 | |
| Maryland | 21.84¢ | $269 | $3,228 | |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $283 | $3,398 | |
| Connecticut | 24.32¢ | $300 | $3,595 | |
| District of Columbia | 24.39¢ | $301 | $3,605 | |
| Vermont | 24.44¢ | $301 | $3,613 | |
| New Jersey | 24.95¢ | $308 | $3,688 | |
| New Hampshire | 27.01¢ | $333 | $3,993 | |
| Alaska | 28.21¢ | $348 | $4,170 | |
| Rhode Island | 29.23¢ | $360 | $4,321 | |
| New York | 29.49¢ | $364 | $4,359 | |
| Maine | 29.59¢ | $365 | $4,374 | |
| Massachusetts | 29.61¢ | $365 | $4,377 | |
| California | 34.74¢ | $428 | $5,135 | |
| Hawaii | 52.72¢ | $650 | $7,793 |
Common questions
How many watts does a electric furnace use?
A typical electric furnace draws about 15000 watts while running, with most models falling between 10000W and 20000W. Check the nameplate label or manual for your specific unit - the range is wide enough that averages can mislead.
How much electricity does a electric furnace use per day?
At around 6 hours of use a day and a 45% duty cycle, that works out to roughly 40.5 kWh per day, or about 1215 kWh a month. Your actual figure depends on your usage and model.
Why does the cost differ so much between states?
Residential electricity rates across the US range from about 12.35 cents per kWh in North Dakota to 46.62 cents in Hawaii - nearly a fourfold difference. The same electric furnace, used identically, therefore costs almost four times as much to run in the most expensive state as in the cheapest.
Is it cheaper to run a electric furnace at night?
Only if you are on a time-of-use or variable tariff. On a flat rate, the time of day makes no difference to cost. If you are on time-of-use pricing, off-peak hours are typically materially cheaper, and shifting this load can reduce its cost without reducing usage.