Garage heater vs. space heater: running cost
A space heater is cheaper to run: about $148 a year versus $188 for a garage heater at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $39 difference.
| Garage heater | Space heater | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 5,000 W | 1,500 W |
| Watt range | 4,000–10,000 W | 750–1,500 W |
| Typical use | 4 hours a day, 4 days a week for 5 months a year | 6 hours a day for 5 months a year |
| Energy per year | 1,044 kWh | 825 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 54¢ | 16¢ |
| Cost per day | $1.23 | 97¢ |
| Cost per month | $37.55 | $29.67 |
| Cost per year | $188 | $148 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $454 | $359 |
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What drives the difference
- Garage heater: Hardwired 240 V garage and shop heaters are typically 4,000-10,000 W. Uninsulated garages make them run near continuously, so insulation drives the cost more than the heater does.
- Space heater: Nearly all plug-in space heaters draw 1,500 W on high, the most a standard 15-amp outlet can safely supply. Every model converts electricity to heat at the same 100% rate, so the thermostat setting and hours matter more than the brand.
Ways to cut either cost
Stores heat in oil so it holds room temperature on its lower 600-900 W settings and cycles less.
See options on AmazonWarms your body directly at about 100 W instead of heating the whole room at 1,500 W.
See options on AmazonCuts heat loss through the door, often reducing heater runtime by 25-40%.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a garage heater or a space heater?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a garage heater costs about $188 a year versus $148 for a space heater. That's $39 more, or 1.3× as much.
How many watts do garage heater and space heater use?
A garage heater typically draws 5,000 W (range 4,000–10,000 W). A space heater draws 1,500 W (range 750–1,500 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.