How much does it cost to run an electric furnace?
An electric furnace costs about 54¢ per hour, $12.95 a day, $394 a month and $1,971 a year at typical use (24 hours a day for 5 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Electric furnaces use resistance heating strips rated 10-25 kW plus a ~500 W blower. Defaults (about 10,900 kWh a winter) reflect a moderate US climate; cold climates can run 15,000-20,000 kWh.
Calculate your cost
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 kW | 10,000 | 36¢ | $8.64 | $263 | $1,314 |
| 15 kW | 15,000 | 54¢ | $12.95 | $394 | $1,971 |
| 20 kW | 20,000 | 72¢ | $17.27 | $526 | $2,628 |
| 25 kW | 25,000 | 90¢ | $21.59 | $657 | $3,285 |
At 24 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 | 3.00 | 54¢ | $16.43 | $197 |
| 2 hours | 6.00 | $1.08 | $32.85 | $394 |
| 4 hours | 12.00 | $2.16 | $65.71 | $789 |
| 8 hours | 24.00 | $4.32 | $131 | $1,577 |
| 12 hours | 36.00 | $6.48 | $197 | $2,366 |
| 24 hours | 72.00 | $12.95 | $394 | $4,731 |
Cost to run an electric furnace in every state
The same electric furnace costs $1,350 a year in North Dakota and $4,768 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¢ | 37¢ | $270 | $1,350 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 38¢ | $277 | $1,386 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 39¢ | $282 | $1,409 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 39¢ | $285 | $1,423 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 40¢ | $292 | $1,460 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 40¢ | $293 | $1,464 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 40¢ | $294 | $1,472 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 41¢ | $297 | $1,486 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 41¢ | $300 | $1,501 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 42¢ | $303 | $1,517 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 42¢ | $305 | $1,525 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 42¢ | $306 | $1,529 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 42¢ | $307 | $1,535 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 42¢ | $309 | $1,547 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 42¢ | $310 | $1,548 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 43¢ | $311 | $1,556 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 44¢ | $324 | $1,618 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 44¢ | $324 | $1,618 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 45¢ | $331 | $1,653 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 45¢ | $331 | $1,657 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 46¢ | $336 | $1,679 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 46¢ | $337 | $1,686 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 46¢ | $337 | $1,687 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 46¢ | $339 | $1,696 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 47¢ | $340 | $1,698 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 47¢ | $343 | $1,714 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 48¢ | $350 | $1,749 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 49¢ | $355 | $1,777 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 49¢ | $360 | $1,801 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 49¢ | $361 | $1,806 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 50¢ | $363 | $1,817 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 51¢ | $371 | $1,856 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 53¢ | $390 | $1,949 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 55¢ | $400 | $2,000 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 56¢ | $411 | $2,053 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 56¢ | $412 | $2,059 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 62¢ | $454 | $2,268 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 63¢ | $461 | $2,304 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 63¢ | $461 | $2,307 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 71¢ | $521 | $2,606 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 71¢ | $522 | $2,608 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 73¢ | $530 | $2,652 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 80¢ | $584 | $2,922 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 81¢ | $588 | $2,942 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 84¢ | $613 | $3,067 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 85¢ | $622 | $3,111 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 88¢ | $641 | $3,207 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 88¢ | $642 | $3,212 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 91¢ | $667 | $3,334 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 99¢ | $723 | $3,615 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | $1.31 | $954 | $4,768 |
How to cut the cost
- Lower the thermostat 7-10°F for 8 hours a day (overnight or while away) to save about 10% a year.
- Replace the air filter every 1-3 months; a clogged filter makes the blower run longer and can trip the high-limit switch.
- Seal and insulate ducts in attics and crawlspaces; leaky ducts lose 20-30% of delivered heat.
- Add attic insulation to R-49 and weatherstrip doors before upgrading equipment.
- Use a smart thermostat to avoid manual large temperature jumps that run every strip at once.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Produces 2-3.5 kWh of heat per kWh used, cutting heating cost 50-70% versus an electric furnace.
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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 furnace | 15,000 | 24 hours a day for 5 months a year | $394 | $1,971 |
| Heat pump | 4,000 | 24 hours a day for 5 months a year | $184 | $920 |
| Electric baseboard heater | 1,500 | 12 hours a day for 5 months a year | $49.28 | $246 |
| Geothermal heat pump | 3,200 | 24 hours a day for 5 months a year | $168 | $841 |
| Mini split heat pump (heating) | 1,100 | 14 hours a day for 5 months a year | $46.65 | $233 |
| Central air conditioner | 3,500 | 12 hours a day for 5 months a year | $103 | $517 |
| Heated driveway | 24,000 | 6 hours a day, 1 days a week for 3 months a year | $113 | $338 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run an electric furnace per hour?
An electric furnace drawing 15,000 watts uses 3.00 kWh per hour while running (20% duty cycle). At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 54¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 37¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's $1.31.
How much does it cost to run an electric furnace per month?
At typical use (24 hours a day for 5 months a year), an electric furnace costs about $394 a month while in use and $1,971 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 furnace use?
Most electric furnaces use 10,000 to 25,000 watts, depending on the setting (10 kw 10,000 W, 15 kw 15,000 W, 20 kw 20,000 W, 25 kw 25,000 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does an electric furnace use?
About 72.00 kWh a day and 10,958 kWh a year at typical use (24 hours a day for 5 months a year).
Does an electric furnace use a lot of electricity?
Yes. At 10,958 kWh a year it's one of the bigger loads in a home, about 104% of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh a year.
Is it cheaper to run an electric furnace or a heat pump?
At typical use, an electric furnace costs about $1,971 a year versus $920 for a heat pump. So the heat pump is cheaper by about $1,051 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running an electric furnace?
- Lower the thermostat 7-10°F for 8 hours a day (overnight or while away) to save about 10% a year.
- Replace the air filter every 1-3 months; a clogged filter makes the blower run longer and can trip the high-limit switch.
- Seal and insulate ducts in attics and crawlspaces; leaky ducts lose 20-30% of delivered heat.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.