Space Heater running cost, by state
A space heater drawing 1500W costs about $808 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
1500W , 8 hours a day, at 18.44¢/kWh.
About this appliance
Electric resistance heaters are 100% efficient at converting electricity to heat, which sounds good but is misleading: a heat pump moves two to four times more heat per unit of electricity. A 1,500W space heater is the single most expensive plug-in load in most homes, and running one continuously through a winter is what usually causes the "why is my bill so high" moment.
- At typical use this is a major load - around 4,380 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | 12.35¢ | $45.11 | $541 | |
| Utah | 12.96¢ | $47.34 | $568 | |
| Oklahoma | 13.38¢ | $48.87 | $586 | |
| Nebraska | 13.59¢ | $49.64 | $595 | |
| Nevada | 13.60¢ | $49.68 | $596 | |
| North Dakota | 13.61¢ | $49.71 | $596 | |
| Missouri | 13.68¢ | $49.97 | $599 | |
| New Mexico | 14.12¢ | $51.58 | $618 | |
| Iowa | 14.14¢ | $51.65 | $619 | |
| Louisiana | 14.15¢ | $51.69 | $620 | |
| Arkansas | 14.36¢ | $52.45 | $629 | |
| Tennessee | 14.47¢ | $52.86 | $634 | |
| Montana | 14.67¢ | $53.59 | $643 | |
| Wyoming | 14.80¢ | $54.06 | $648 | |
| Washington | 14.95¢ | $54.61 | $655 | |
| Kentucky | 14.98¢ | $54.72 | $656 | |
| North Carolina | 15.09¢ | $55.12 | $661 | |
| Kansas | 15.13¢ | $55.27 | $663 | |
| Florida | 15.17¢ | $55.41 | $664 | |
| Arizona | 15.23¢ | $55.63 | $667 | |
| South Dakota | 15.73¢ | $57.46 | $689 | |
| Georgia | 15.84¢ | $57.86 | $694 | |
| Colorado | 16.16¢ | $59.03 | $708 | |
| Mississippi | 16.16¢ | $59.03 | $708 | |
| South Carolina | 16.18¢ | $59.10 | $709 | |
| Oregon | 16.27¢ | $59.43 | $713 | |
| Texas | 16.44¢ | $60.05 | $720 | |
| Alabama | 16.77¢ | $61.26 | $735 | |
| West Virginia | 16.80¢ | $61.37 | $736 | |
| Minnesota | 16.95¢ | $61.91 | $742 | |
| Virginia | 17.61¢ | $64.33 | $771 | |
| Indiana | 18.15¢ | $66.30 | $795 | |
| Delaware | 19.38¢ | $70.79 | $849 | |
| Ohio | 19.52¢ | $71.30 | $855 | |
| Wisconsin | 19.74¢ | $72.11 | $865 | |
| Pennsylvania | 21.55¢ | $78.72 | $944 | |
| Maryland | 21.77¢ | $79.52 | $954 | |
| Michigan | 22.01¢ | $80.40 | $964 | |
| New Jersey | 23.27¢ | $85.00 | $1,019 | |
| Illinois | 23.85¢ | $87.12 | $1,045 | |
| Vermont | 24.89¢ | $90.92 | $1,090 | |
| District of Columbia | 25.40¢ | $92.78 | $1,113 | |
| New Hampshire | 27.33¢ | $99.83 | $1,197 | |
| Connecticut | 27.37¢ | $99.98 | $1,199 | |
| Alaska | 28.23¢ | $103 | $1,236 | |
| Maine | 28.63¢ | $105 | $1,254 | |
| Massachusetts | 28.82¢ | $105 | $1,262 | |
| Rhode Island | 29.46¢ | $108 | $1,290 | |
| New York | 29.93¢ | $109 | $1,311 | |
| California | 33.25¢ | $121 | $1,456 | |
| Hawaii | 52.00¢ | $190 | $2,278 |
Common questions
How many watts does a space heater use?
A typical space heater draws about 1500 watts while running, with most models falling between 750W and 1500W. Check the nameplate label or manual for your specific unit - the range is wide enough that averages can mislead.
How much electricity does a space heater use per day?
At around 8 hours of use a day and a 100% duty cycle, that works out to roughly 12 kWh per day, or about 360 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 space heater, 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 space heater 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.