How much does it cost to run a ceramic space heater?
A ceramic space heater costs about 16¢ per hour, 97¢ a day, $29.67 a month and $148 a year at typical use (6 hours a day for 5 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Ceramic heaters blow air over a PTC ceramic element and typically run 900 W on low and 1,500 W on high. They heat a small room quickly but stop warming it almost as soon as they cycle off.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 900 | 9.7¢ | 59¢ | $17.84 | $89 |
| High | 1,500 | 16¢ | 97¢ | $29.67 | $148 |
At 6 hours a day for 5 months a year and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.92 | 17¢ | $5.05 | $61 |
| 2 hours | 1.82 | 33¢ | $9.98 | $120 |
| 4 hours | 3.62 | 65¢ | $19.82 | $238 |
| 8 hours | 7.22 | $1.30 | $39.51 | $474 |
| 12 hours | 10.81 | $1.95 | $59.20 | $710 |
| 24 hours | 21.60 | $3.89 | $118 | $1,419 |
Cost to run a ceramic space heater in every state
The same ceramic space heater costs $102 a year in North Dakota and $359 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 11¢ | $20.32 | $102 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 11¢ | $20.86 | $104 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 12¢ | $21.21 | $106 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 12¢ | $21.42 | $107 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 12¢ | $21.97 | $110 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 12¢ | $22.03 | $110 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 12¢ | $22.15 | $111 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 12¢ | $22.36 | $112 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 12¢ | $22.59 | $113 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 12¢ | $22.82 | $114 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 13¢ | $22.96 | $115 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 13¢ | $23.00 | $115 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 13¢ | $23.10 | $116 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 13¢ | $23.29 | $116 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 13¢ | $23.30 | $117 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 13¢ | $23.42 | $117 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 13¢ | $24.36 | $122 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 13¢ | $24.36 | $122 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 14¢ | $24.88 | $124 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 14¢ | $24.93 | $125 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 14¢ | $25.26 | $126 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 14¢ | $25.38 | $127 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 14¢ | $25.40 | $127 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 14¢ | $25.53 | $128 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 14¢ | $25.56 | $128 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 14¢ | $25.79 | $129 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 14¢ | $26.32 | $132 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 15¢ | $26.75 | $134 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 15¢ | $27.11 | $136 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 15¢ | $27.18 | $136 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 15¢ | $27.34 | $137 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 15¢ | $27.94 | $140 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 16¢ | $29.34 | $147 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 16¢ | $30.10 | $150 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 17¢ | $30.90 | $155 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 17¢ | $30.99 | $155 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 19¢ | $34.14 | $171 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 19¢ | $34.68 | $173 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 19¢ | $34.71 | $174 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 21¢ | $39.22 | $196 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 21¢ | $39.25 | $196 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 22¢ | $39.91 | $200 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 24¢ | $43.98 | $220 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 24¢ | $44.28 | $221 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 25¢ | $46.16 | $231 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 26¢ | $46.82 | $234 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 26¢ | $48.27 | $241 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 26¢ | $48.34 | $242 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 27¢ | $50.18 | $251 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 30¢ | $54.40 | $272 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 39¢ | $71.75 | $359 |
How to cut the cost
- Use the thermostat or ECO mode rather than High; at 68°F a ceramic heater cycles off about 40% of the time in a closed room.
- Point it at your seating area from 3-4 ft away; fan heaters work best as spot heaters, not whole-room heaters.
- Vacuum the intake grill monthly; dust buildup trips the overheat sensor and reduces output.
- Use the built-in timer (most Lasko and Honeywell models have 1-8 hour timers) so it doesn't run all night.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Keeps radiating after the element cycles off, giving steadier comfort on a lower setting.
See options on AmazonWarms your legs at 150-200 W when you only need personal heat at a desk.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramic space heater | 1,500 | 6 hours a day for 5 months a year | $29.67 | $148 |
| Space heater | 1,500 | 6 hours a day for 5 months a year | $29.67 | $148 |
| Oil-filled radiator | 1,500 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $32.94 | $165 |
| Infrared heater | 1,500 | 6 hours a day for 5 months a year | $29.67 | $148 |
| Small space heater | 400 | 6 hours a day for 5 months a year | $9.25 | $46 |
| Under-desk heater | 170 | 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 5 months a year | $4.52 | $23 |
| Electric baseboard heater | 1,500 | 12 hours a day for 5 months a year | $49.28 | $246 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a ceramic space heater per hour?
A ceramic space heater drawing 1,500 watts uses 0.90 kWh per hour while running (60% duty cycle). At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 16¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 11¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 39¢.
How much does it cost to run a ceramic space heater per month?
At typical use (6 hours a day for 5 months a year), a ceramic space heater costs about $29.67 a month while in use and $148 a year over the 5 months it's typically used, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a ceramic space heater use?
Most ceramic space heaters use 900 to 1,500 watts, depending on the setting (low 900 W, high 1,500 W). Plugged in but off, it still draws about 1 W of standby power. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a ceramic space heater use?
About 5.42 kWh a day and 825 kWh a year at typical use (6 hours a day for 5 months a year).
Does a ceramic space heater use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: 825 kWh a year is about 8% of the average U.S. home's yearly use.
Is it cheaper to run a ceramic space heater or a space heater?
At typical use, a ceramic space heater costs about $148 a year versus $148 for a space heater. So the space heater is cheaper by about $0 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a ceramic space heater?
- Use the thermostat or ECO mode rather than High; at 68°F a ceramic heater cycles off about 40% of the time in a closed room.
- Point it at your seating area from 3-4 ft away; fan heaters work best as spot heaters, not whole-room heaters.
- Vacuum the intake grill monthly; dust buildup trips the overheat sensor and reduces output.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.