Space heater cost calculator
At the U.S. average of 18.16¢ per kWh (August 2026), a 1,500 W space heater on high costs about $0.27 an hour. Pick your state to see your cost.
Portable space heater, 1,500 W, 8 h/day at 21.77¢ per kWh (Pennsylvania average, August 2026)
$78.37 / month
| Per hour of use | $0.327 |
| Per day | $2.61 |
| Per month (30 days) | $78.37 |
| Per year | $954 |
| Electricity per day | 12.00 kWh |
Same use in the cheapest state (Nevada, 12.72¢): $45.79/month · most expensive (Hawaii, 47.18¢): $169.85/month.
State averages are total revenue ÷ kWh sold, so fixed charges are spread over every kWh; your utility's price for extra kWh can be a little different (tiers, time-of-use). Heaters with a thermostat may run fewer hours than entered.
Cost of a 1,500 W heater, 8 hours a day
| State | Price | Per hour | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $0.71 | $169.85 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $0.48 | $115.60 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $0.46 | $109.73 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $0.45 | $107.10 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $0.44 | $105.88 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $0.19 | $45.79 |
| Louisiana | 12.87¢ | $0.19 | $46.33 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $0.20 | $47.92 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $0.20 | $47.92 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $0.20 | $48.13 |
Things that change the cost
- Setting. Most portable heaters draw 1,500 W on high and about 750 W on low (DOE range: 750–1,500 W).
- Thermostat. A heater with a thermostat switches off when the room is warm, so it may run less than the hours you set.
- Heater type. Oil-filled, ceramic and infrared heaters at the same wattage use the same electricity per hour; they differ in how the heat feels, not in efficiency.