How much does it cost to run a heat lamp?
A heat lamp costs about 4.5¢ per hour, 2.2¢ a day, $0.68 a month and $8 a year at typical use (30 minutes a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Bathroom heat lamps use 250 W infrared bulbs, often in pairs. They have no thermostat, so they draw full power whenever on.
Calculate your cost
Add as many devices as you like to compare them side by side. Search again to add another, or use Duplicate to compare two settings.
Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single 250 W bulb | 250 | 4.5¢ | 2.2¢ | $0.68 | $8 |
| Double fixture | 500 | 9.0¢ | 4.5¢ | $1.37 | $16 |
At 30 minutes a day and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.25 | 4.5¢ | $1.37 | $16 |
| 2 hours | 0.50 | 9.0¢ | $2.74 | $33 |
| 4 hours | 1.00 | 18¢ | $5.48 | $66 |
| 8 hours | 2.00 | 36¢ | $10.95 | $131 |
| 12 hours | 3.00 | 54¢ | $16.43 | $197 |
| 24 hours | 6.00 | $1.08 | $32.85 | $394 |
Cost to run a heat lamp in every state
The same heat lamp costs $6 a year in North Dakota and $20 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¢ | 3.1¢ | $0.47 | $6 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 3.2¢ | $0.48 | $6 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 3.2¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 3.2¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 3.3¢ | $0.51 | $6 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 3.3¢ | $0.51 | $6 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 3.4¢ | $0.51 | $6 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 3.4¢ | $0.52 | $6 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 3.4¢ | $0.52 | $6 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 3.5¢ | $0.53 | $6 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 3.5¢ | $0.53 | $6 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 3.5¢ | $0.53 | $6 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 3.5¢ | $0.53 | $6 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 3.5¢ | $0.54 | $6 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 3.5¢ | $0.54 | $6 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 3.5¢ | $0.54 | $6 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 3.7¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 3.7¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 3.8¢ | $0.57 | $7 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 3.8¢ | $0.58 | $7 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 3.8¢ | $0.58 | $7 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 3.8¢ | $0.59 | $7 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 3.9¢ | $0.59 | $7 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 3.9¢ | $0.59 | $7 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 3.9¢ | $0.59 | $7 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 3.9¢ | $0.60 | $7 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 4.0¢ | $0.61 | $7 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 4.1¢ | $0.62 | $7 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 4.1¢ | $0.63 | $8 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 4.1¢ | $0.63 | $8 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 4.1¢ | $0.63 | $8 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 4.2¢ | $0.64 | $8 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 4.4¢ | $0.68 | $8 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 4.6¢ | $0.69 | $8 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 4.7¢ | $0.71 | $9 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 4.7¢ | $0.71 | $9 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 5.2¢ | $0.79 | $9 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 5.3¢ | $0.80 | $10 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 5.3¢ | $0.80 | $10 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 5.9¢ | $0.90 | $11 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 6.0¢ | $0.91 | $11 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 6.0¢ | $0.92 | $11 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 6.7¢ | $1.01 | $12 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 6.7¢ | $1.02 | $12 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 7.0¢ | $1.06 | $13 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 7.1¢ | $1.08 | $13 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 7.3¢ | $1.11 | $13 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 7.3¢ | $1.12 | $13 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 7.6¢ | $1.16 | $14 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 8.2¢ | $1.26 | $15 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 11¢ | $1.66 | $20 |
How to cut the cost
- Wire the heat lamp to a 15-minute countdown timer switch so it never gets left on.
- Turn it on only when you step out of the shower; infrared warms you instantly with no preheat needed.
- Keep the bathroom door closed while showering to hold warm, humid air in.
- If it is used for hours a day, consider a thermostat-controlled heater fan.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Prevents hours of accidental full-power runtime.
See options on AmazonWarms towels at about 100 W instead of 500 W of lamps.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat lamp | 250 | 30 minutes a day | $0.68 | $8 |
| Wall heater | 1,500 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $32.85 | $164 |
| Heated towel rack | 100 | 6 hours a day | $2.63 | $32 |
| Bathroom exhaust fan | 15 | 1 hour a day | $0.08 | $1 |
| Electric radiant floor heating | 600 | 6 hours a day for 7 months a year | $9.86 | $69 |
| Snow melting mat | 200 | 8 hours a day, 2 days a week for 4 months a year | $2.50 | $10 |
| Under-desk heater | 170 | 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 5 months a year | $4.52 | $23 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a heat lamp per hour?
A heat lamp drawing 250 watts uses 0.25 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 4.5¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 3.1¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 11¢.
How much does it cost to run a heat lamp per month?
At typical use (30 minutes a day), a heat lamp costs about $0.68 a month and $8 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a heat lamp use?
Most heat lamps use 125 to 500 watts, depending on the setting (single 250 w bulb 250 W, double fixture 500 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a heat lamp use?
About 0.13 kWh a day and 46 kWh a year at typical use (30 minutes a day).
Does a heat lamp use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 46 kWh a year it's a small share (0.4%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a heat lamp or a wall heater?
At typical use, a heat lamp costs about $8 a year versus $164 for a wall heater. So the heat lamp is cheaper by about $156 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a heat lamp?
- Wire the heat lamp to a 15-minute countdown timer switch so it never gets left on.
- Turn it on only when you step out of the shower; infrared warms you instantly with no preheat needed.
- Keep the bathroom door closed while showering to hold warm, humid air in.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.