Electric patio heater vs. infrared heater: running cost
An electric patio heater is cheaper to run: about $53 a year versus $148 for an infrared heater at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $96 difference.
| Electric patio heater | Infrared heater | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 1,500 W | 1,500 W |
| Watt range | 1,000–6,000 W | 500–1,500 W |
| Typical use | 3 hours a day, 3 days a week for 5 months a year | 6 hours a day for 5 months a year |
| Energy per year | 294 kWh | 825 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 27¢ | 16¢ |
| Cost per day | 35¢ | 97¢ |
| Cost per month | $10.56 | $29.67 |
| Cost per year | $53 | $148 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $128 | $359 |
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What drives the difference
- Electric patio heater: Electric patio heaters are infrared units that run at full power without a thermostat; outdoors they never reach a setpoint, so duty cycle is 100%.
- 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
Warms each person at 10-20 W versus 1,500 W for a heater.
See options on AmazonShuts the heater off automatically after a set time.
See options on AmazonDelivers heat to your body at around 100 W versus 1,500 W.
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, an electric patio heater 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 $53 for an electric patio heater. That's $96 more, or 2.8× as much.
How many watts do electric patio heater and infrared heater use?
An electric patio heater typically draws 1,500 W (range 1,000–6,000 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.