Updated November 2, 2026 · By Diego Gómez
How much does it cost to run a space heater? (2026 US prices)
What a 1500 W space heater, oil-filled radiator or heated blanket costs per hour and per month in the US, at the average electricity price and at yours.
Every plug-in electric heater turns electricity into heat at close to 100%, so the cost comes down to three numbers: wattage, hours of use, and what you pay per kWh. The US residential average is about 18¢ per kWh in 2026 according to the US Energy Information Administration, but your state and utility can be far above or below that.
| Appliance | Power | At 12¢/kWh | At 18¢/kWh | At 30¢/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heated blanket | 100 W | 1.2¢/h | 1.8¢/h | 3.0¢/h |
| Space heater (low) | 750 W | 9.0¢/h | 13.5¢/h | 22.5¢/h |
| Space heater or oil radiator (high) | 1500 W | 18.0¢/h | 27.0¢/h | 45.0¢/h |
A 1500 W heater running 6 hours a day for a month at 18¢/kWh costs about $49. With a thermostat it cycles on and off once the room is warm, so the real bill is usually lower.
How to spend less
- Zone heating: turn the central thermostat down a few degrees and heat only the room you're in.
- Heat the person: a heated blanket uses about a fifteenth of the power of a space heater.
- Use the thermostat instead of running it on high.
- Check time-of-use plans if your utility offers them.
Plug in your own rate with the heating cost calculator.
Recommended
DREO 1500W ceramic space heater
- 1500 W (PTC ceramic)
- digital
- tip-over and overheat protection, child lock
One of the best-selling space heaters on Amazon: a quiet 1500 W ceramic heater with a real digital thermostat, tip-over protection and a child lock.
De'Longhi oil-filled radiator 1500W
- 1500 W, 3 settings
- digital panel, 24-hour timer
- oil-filled, silent
A silent oil-filled radiator that keeps heating after it switches off.
DREO 4 L humidifier
- 4 L
- up to 300 sq ft
- 28 dB
Quiet bedroom humidifier with a humidity setting and top fill, and one of the most reviewed on Amazon.
Affiliate links: if you buy, Amazon pays us a small commission at no extra cost to you. More info
FAQs
Are there energy-efficient space heaters?
All electric resistance heaters turn power into heat at about the same efficiency. What saves money is a good thermostat, the right size for the room, and heating only the room you're using.
Is an oil-filled radiator cheaper to run than a ceramic heater?
At the same wattage they use the same electricity. Oil-filled radiators give quieter, steadier heat; ceramic heaters warm a room faster.