How much does it cost to run an engine block heater?
An engine block heater costs about 13¢ per hour, 77¢ a day, $23.47 a month and $70 a year at typical use (8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 3 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Block heaters run at full power with no thermostat. Most of the warming benefit happens in the first 2-3 hours, so overnight use wastes most of the energy.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil pan / battery pad | 150 | 2.7¢ | 15¢ | $4.69 | $14 |
| Cord / frost plug 750 W | 750 | 13¢ | 77¢ | $23.47 | $70 |
| Tank heater 1,000 W | 1,000 | 18¢ | $1.03 | $31.29 | $94 |
| Diesel 1,500 W | 1,500 | 27¢ | $1.54 | $46.93 | $141 |
At 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 3 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 | 0.54 | 9.6¢ | $2.93 | $35 |
| 2 hours | 1.07 | 19¢ | $5.87 | $70 |
| 4 hours | 2.14 | 39¢ | $11.73 | $141 |
| 8 hours | 4.29 | 77¢ | $23.47 | $282 |
| 12 hours | 6.43 | $1.16 | $35.20 | $422 |
| 24 hours | 12.86 | $2.31 | $70.40 | $845 |
Cost to run an engine block heater in every state
The same engine block heater costs $48 a year in North Dakota and $170 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¢ | 9.2¢ | $16.07 | $48 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 9.5¢ | $16.50 | $50 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 9.6¢ | $16.78 | $50 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 9.7¢ | $16.94 | $51 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 10.0¢ | $17.38 | $52 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 10¢ | $17.43 | $52 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 10¢ | $17.52 | $53 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 10¢ | $17.69 | $53 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 10¢ | $17.87 | $54 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 10¢ | $18.05 | $54 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 10¢ | $18.16 | $54 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 10¢ | $18.20 | $55 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 11¢ | $18.28 | $55 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 11¢ | $18.42 | $55 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 11¢ | $18.43 | $55 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 11¢ | $18.52 | $56 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 11¢ | $19.27 | $58 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 11¢ | $19.27 | $58 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 11¢ | $19.68 | $59 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 11¢ | $19.72 | $59 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 11¢ | $19.98 | $60 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 12¢ | $20.08 | $60 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 12¢ | $20.09 | $60 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 12¢ | $20.19 | $61 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 12¢ | $20.22 | $61 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 12¢ | $20.40 | $61 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 12¢ | $20.82 | $62 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 12¢ | $21.16 | $63 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 12¢ | $21.45 | $64 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 12¢ | $21.50 | $64 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 12¢ | $21.63 | $65 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 13¢ | $22.10 | $66 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 13¢ | $23.21 | $70 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 14¢ | $23.81 | $71 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 14¢ | $24.45 | $73 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 14¢ | $24.51 | $74 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 16¢ | $27.00 | $81 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 16¢ | $27.43 | $82 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 16¢ | $27.46 | $82 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 18¢ | $31.02 | $93 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 18¢ | $31.05 | $93 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 18¢ | $31.57 | $95 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 20¢ | $34.79 | $104 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 20¢ | $35.02 | $105 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 21¢ | $36.51 | $110 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 21¢ | $37.03 | $111 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 22¢ | $38.18 | $115 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 22¢ | $38.23 | $115 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 23¢ | $39.69 | $119 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 25¢ | $43.03 | $129 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 33¢ | $56.76 | $170 |
How to cut the cost
- Plug it into an outdoor timer that turns on 2-3 hours before you leave; this cuts use by about 65% compared to plugging in overnight.
- Only use it below about 0°F for gas engines or 15-20°F for diesels.
- Use a heavy-duty 14-gauge or 12-gauge outdoor extension cord so voltage drop does not reduce heating.
- Park in a garage when possible; even an unheated garage stays 10-20°F warmer.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Runs the heater only 2-3 hours before departure.
See options on AmazonKeeps the heater off on nights when it is not cold enough to need it.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine block heater | 750 | 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 3 months a year | $23.47 | $70 |
| Heat tape | 90 | 24 hours a day for 3 months a year | $5.91 | $18 |
| Garage heater | 5,000 | 4 hours a day, 4 days a week for 5 months a year | $37.55 | $188 |
| Snow melting mat | 200 | 8 hours a day, 2 days a week for 4 months a year | $2.50 | $10 |
| Electric radiant floor heating | 600 | 6 hours a day for 7 months a year | $9.86 | $69 |
| Mini split heat pump (heating) | 1,100 | 14 hours a day for 5 months a year | $46.65 | $233 |
| Roof de-icing cable | 500 | 12 hours a day for 4 months a year | $19.71 | $79 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run an engine block heater per hour?
An engine block heater drawing 750 watts uses 0.75 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 13¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 9.2¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 33¢.
How much does it cost to run an engine block heater per month?
At typical use (8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 3 months a year), an engine block heater costs about $23.47 a month while in use and $70 a year over the 3 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 engine block heater use?
Most engine block heaters use 150 to 1,500 watts, depending on the setting (oil pan / battery pad 150 W, cord / frost plug 750 w 750 W, tank heater 1,000 w 1,000 W, diesel 1,500 w 1,500 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does an engine block heater use?
About 4.29 kWh a day and 391 kWh a year at typical use (8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 3 months a year).
Does an engine block heater use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: 391 kWh a year is about 4% of the average U.S. home's yearly use.
Is it cheaper to run an engine block heater or a heat tape?
At typical use, an engine block heater costs about $70 a year versus $18 for a heat tape. So the heat tape is cheaper by about $53 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running an engine block heater?
- Plug it into an outdoor timer that turns on 2-3 hours before you leave; this cuts use by about 65% compared to plugging in overnight.
- Only use it below about 0°F for gas engines or 15-20°F for diesels.
- Use a heavy-duty 14-gauge or 12-gauge outdoor extension cord so voltage drop does not reduce heating.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.