Electric fireplace vs. infrared heater: running cost

An electric fireplace is cheaper to run: about $100 a year versus $148 for an infrared heater at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $49 difference.

	Electric fireplace	Infrared heater
Typical watts	1,500 W	1,500 W
Watt range	20–1,500 W	500–1,500 W
Typical use	4 hours a day for 5 months a year	6 hours a day for 5 months a year
Energy per year	554 kWh	825 kWh
Cost per hour	16¢	16¢
Cost per day	65¢	97¢
Cost per month	$19.93	$29.67
Cost per year	$100	$148
Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢)	$241	$359

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What drives the difference

Electric fireplace: Electric fireplaces have a 1,500 W heater plus an LED flame effect that uses only 10-50 W on its own. With the heat off they cost about the same as a light bulb.
Infrared heater: Infrared and quartz heaters use the same 1,500 W maximum as other plug-in heaters. Claims of 50% savings are not physically possible; savings only come from heating people directly instead of the whole room.

Ways to cut either cost

Infrared electric fireplace with thermostat

Same heat, but digital thermostats avoid overheating the room.

See options on Amazon

Smart plug

Schedule the fireplace off automatically at bedtime.

See options on Amazon

Heated throw blanket

Delivers heat to your body at around 100 W versus 1,500 W.

See options on Amazon

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Frequently asked questions

Which costs more to run, an electric fireplace or an infrared heater?

At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), an infrared heater costs about $148 a year versus $100 for an electric fireplace. That's $49 more, or 1.5× as much.

How many watts do electric fireplace and infrared heater use?

An electric fireplace typically draws 1,500 W (range 20–1,500 W). An infrared heater draws 1,500 W (range 500–1,500 W). Watts alone don't decide cost. Hours of use, cycling and standby matter just as much.

Rates: EIA, 12 months ending 2026-07. Methodology.