Appliance cost guide

How much does a space heater cost to run?

Most portable space heaters use around 1500 watts on high. That means they can become one of the most expensive plug-in appliances in a room if they run for hours each day.

Start with a realistic winter setup, then adjust the numbers for your own electric rate, daily usage, and heater size.

Open prefilled calculator Compare against heat pump

Typical full-power estimate: 1500 W
Useful for winter budgeting and room-by-room heating decisions
Easy to compare against lower-cost heating options

Example estimate

1500 W × 8 hours/day × $0.14/kWh

Hourly $0.21

Daily $1.68

Monthly $50.40

That usage pattern adds up to about $604.80 per year.

What matters most

Three numbers drive the answer

A space heater cost estimate depends on wattage, how many hours you run it, and your electricity rate. Small changes in daily runtime can move the monthly total a lot.

Wattage: many portable heaters draw 1500 watts on high.
Daily hours: overnight or all-day use pushes costs up quickly.
Rate: local utility pricing can vary a lot by region.

When to compare

Use comparison mode before buying a second heater

If you are deciding between a space heater, heat pump, window AC with heat, or another plug-in option, comparison mode makes the monthly gap obvious in seconds.

Space heater vs. heat pump Start with a simple monthly cost comparison using the same runtime.

FAQ

Quick space heater questions

Are space heaters expensive to run?

They can be. A 1500 watt heater used for long stretches often adds noticeable monthly cost compared with lower-power devices.

What wattage should I enter?

Use the heater label or manual if you have it. Many standard portable space heaters are rated around 1500 watts.

Can I estimate yearly cost too?

Yes. WattWise shows estimated yearly cost automatically once you enter your numbers.