Short answer: a 1,500 W space heater running flat out costs about 27¢ an hour at the 2026 US average electricity price, or about $65 a month if you use it 8 hours a day. In the UK, a 1,500 W heater costs about 39p an hour at the current price cap. What you actually pay depends on your heater's wattage, how long the element is really on and your price per kWh.
Work out your own number with the space heater cost calculator. This guide explains the maths and when a space heater saves money.
The formula
Every electric heater turns electricity into heat at almost 100%. So the cost depends only on how much electricity it draws:
cost per hour = heater watts ÷ 1,000 × price per kWh
A 1,500 W heater uses 1.5 kWh in an hour on full power. If it has a thermostat, it switches off once the room is warm, so over an evening it may run only half to three-quarters of the time and cost that much less.
Cost per hour, day and month
A 1,500 W heater on full for 8 hours a day, 30 days a month, at typical 2026 prices:
| Country (price per kWh) | Per hour | Per day (8 h) | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States (18.2¢, EIA 2026 forecast) | 27¢ | $2.18 | $65.52 |
| United Kingdom (26.32p, Ofgem cap Oct–Dec 2026) | 39.5p | £3.16 | £94.75 |
| Canada (about 14¢, varies by province) | 21¢ | $1.68 | $50.40 |
| Australia (about 32¢) | 48¢ | $3.84 | $115.20 |
On the 750 W "low" setting, every figure halves. In Canada, prices range from about 8.5¢ in Quebec to over 18¢ in Alberta, so check your own bill.
Does the type of heater change the cost?
No. Oil-filled radiators, ceramic heaters, fan heaters and infrared panels all produce about the same heat for each kWh they use. A 1,500 W oil-filled radiator costs exactly the same per hour on full as a 1,500 W fan heater. The differences are comfort and how they deliver heat:
- Fan and ceramic heaters warm a room quickly but the heat fades as soon as they switch off.
- Oil-filled radiators warm up slowly and keep giving off heat after the element cycles off, which feels steadier.
- Infrared heaters warm people and objects in front of them, which suits draughty spaces where warm air escapes.
Claims that a particular heater "cuts your bill in half" usually mean it has a better thermostat or a lower wattage, not that it makes heat more efficiently.
Is a space heater cheaper than central heating?
Only when it lets you heat one room and turn the rest of the house down. Per unit of heat, plug-in electric heat usually costs more than gas central heating and far more than a heat pump. Compare the cost of 1 kWh of heat:
| Heat source (UK prices, Oct–Dec 2026) | Working | Cost per kWh of heat |
|---|---|---|
| Electric space heater | 26.32p ÷ 100% efficient | 26.3p |
| Gas boiler | 7.97p ÷ 90% efficient | 8.9p |
| Heat pump (seasonal efficiency 3) | 26.32p ÷ 3 | 8.8p |
In the US, use the gas price on your bill: divide the price per therm by 29.3 to get the price per kWh, then by your furnace efficiency (0.95 for a modern condensing furnace). At $1.50 a therm, gas heat costs about 5.4¢ per kWh against 18.2¢ for a plug-in heater.
So a space heater saves money only when it replaces heating a whole house. Heating one room for a few hours while the central thermostat is set back several degrees can come out cheaper. Heating every room with space heaters almost never does.
How to spend less
- Use the thermostat rather than leaving the heater on full; set it to the lowest comfortable temperature.
- Heat the person, not the room: a small heater aimed at your desk or a heated throw uses a fraction of the power.
- Close the door and stop draughts so the heat stays in the room.
- Use a timer so the heater is not running in an empty room.
Safety
Pick a heater with tip-over and overheat shut-off and a safety listing (UL or ETL in the US, UKCA or CE in the UK). Plug it straight into a wall outlet, not an extension cord or power strip, keep it at least 3 feet (1 metre) from bedding, curtains and furniture, and switch it off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a space heater all night?
A 1,500 W heater for 8 hours on full uses 12 kWh: about $2.18 at the US average price or £3.16 in the UK. With a thermostat cycling it on and off, the real figure is usually lower.
Does a space heater use a lot of electricity?
Yes, compared with most appliances. At 1,500 W, one hour uses as much electricity as running a typical fridge for a whole day.
Is 750 W or 1,500 W cheaper?
750 W costs half as much per hour, but if the room never gets warm enough on low you may simply run it for twice as long.
Sources
- US Energy Information Administration, Short-Term Energy Outlook (2026 residential electricity price).
- Ofgem, energy price cap 1 October – 31 December 2026 (electricity 26.32p, gas 7.97p per kWh).
- Canada Energy Regulator, electricity prices across Canada, 2026.
- US Department of Energy, portable heaters.
Prices checked October 22, 2026. Your own tariff is the most accurate input.
Try the Space Heater Cost Calculator
What a space heater costs to run per hour, day and month at your electricity price.
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