How much does it cost to run an electric fireplace?
An electric fireplace costs about 16¢ per hour, 65¢ a day, $19.93 a month and $100 a year at typical use (4 hours a day for 5 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. 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.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flame effect only | 30 | 0.3¢ | 2.0¢ | $0.61 | $3 |
| Heat low | 750 | 8.1¢ | 33¢ | $10.08 | $50 |
| Heat high | 1,500 | 16¢ | 65¢ | $19.93 | $100 |
At 4 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 | 0.95 | 17¢ | $5.18 | $62 |
| 2 hours | 1.84 | 33¢ | $10.10 | $121 |
| 4 hours | 3.64 | 65¢ | $19.93 | $239 |
| 8 hours | 7.23 | $1.30 | $39.60 | $475 |
| 12 hours | 10.82 | $1.95 | $59.27 | $711 |
| 24 hours | 21.60 | $3.89 | $118 | $1,419 |
Cost to run an electric fireplace in every state
The same electric fireplace costs $68 a year in North Dakota and $241 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¢ | $13.65 | $68 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 11¢ | $14.02 | $70 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 12¢ | $14.25 | $71 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 12¢ | $14.39 | $72 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 12¢ | $14.76 | $74 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 12¢ | $14.80 | $74 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 12¢ | $14.88 | $74 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 12¢ | $15.02 | $75 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 12¢ | $15.18 | $76 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 12¢ | $15.33 | $77 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 13¢ | $15.42 | $77 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 13¢ | $15.46 | $77 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 13¢ | $15.52 | $78 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 13¢ | $15.64 | $78 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 13¢ | $15.65 | $78 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 13¢ | $15.73 | $79 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 13¢ | $16.36 | $82 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 13¢ | $16.36 | $82 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 14¢ | $16.72 | $84 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 14¢ | $16.75 | $84 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 14¢ | $16.97 | $85 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 14¢ | $17.05 | $85 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 14¢ | $17.06 | $85 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 14¢ | $17.15 | $86 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 14¢ | $17.17 | $86 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 14¢ | $17.33 | $87 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 14¢ | $17.68 | $88 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 15¢ | $17.97 | $90 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 15¢ | $18.21 | $91 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 15¢ | $18.26 | $91 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 15¢ | $18.37 | $92 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 15¢ | $18.77 | $94 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 16¢ | $19.71 | $99 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 16¢ | $20.22 | $101 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 17¢ | $20.76 | $104 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 17¢ | $20.82 | $104 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 19¢ | $22.93 | $115 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 19¢ | $23.30 | $116 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 19¢ | $23.32 | $117 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 21¢ | $26.35 | $132 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 21¢ | $26.37 | $132 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 22¢ | $26.81 | $134 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 24¢ | $29.55 | $148 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 24¢ | $29.75 | $149 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 25¢ | $31.01 | $155 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 26¢ | $31.45 | $157 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 26¢ | $32.43 | $162 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 26¢ | $32.47 | $162 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 27¢ | $33.71 | $169 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 30¢ | $36.55 | $183 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 39¢ | $48.21 | $241 |
How to cut the cost
- Run the flame effect alone (about 30 W) when you want ambiance but the room is already warm.
- Use the thermostat setting rather than continuous High; set it to 68°F.
- Use the built-in sleep timer (usually 0.5-9 hours) so it does not run all night.
- Choose a model with LED flame lighting; older halogen-bulb flame effects use 100-200 W.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Same heat, but digital thermostats avoid overheating the room.
See options on AmazonSchedule the fireplace off automatically at bedtime.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric fireplace | 1,500 | 4 hours a day for 5 months a year | $19.93 | $100 |
| Space heater | 1,500 | 6 hours a day for 5 months a year | $29.67 | $148 |
| Infrared 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 |
| Heated throw | 100 | 3 hours a day for 5 months a year | $1.04 | $5 |
| Ceramic space heater | 1,500 | 6 hours a day for 5 months a year | $29.67 | $148 |
| 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 an electric fireplace per hour?
An electric fireplace 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 an electric fireplace per month?
At typical use (4 hours a day for 5 months a year), an electric fireplace costs about $19.93 a month while in use and $100 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 an electric fireplace use?
Most electric fireplaces use 20 to 1,500 watts, depending on the setting (flame effect only 30 W, heat low 750 W, heat high 1,500 W). Plugged in but off, it still draws about 2 W of standby power. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does an electric fireplace use?
About 3.64 kWh a day and 554 kWh a year at typical use (4 hours a day for 5 months a year).
Does an electric fireplace use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: 554 kWh a year is about 5% of the average U.S. home's yearly use.
Is it cheaper to run an electric fireplace or a space heater?
At typical use, an electric fireplace costs about $100 a year versus $148 for a space heater. So the electric fireplace is cheaper by about $49 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running an electric fireplace?
- Run the flame effect alone (about 30 W) when you want ambiance but the room is already warm.
- Use the thermostat setting rather than continuous High; set it to 68°F.
- Use the built-in sleep timer (usually 0.5-9 hours) so it does not run all night.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.