How much does it cost to run an oil-filled radiator?
An oil-filled radiator costs about 13¢ per hour, $1.08 a day, $32.94 a month and $165 a year at typical use (8 hours a day for 5 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Oil-filled radiators are electric resistance heaters with a sealed oil reservoir; they use the same 1,500 W on high as any space heater but cycle less often because the oil keeps radiating heat.
Calculate your cost
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 600 | 5.4¢ | 43¢ | $13.23 | $66 |
| Medium | 900 | 8.1¢ | 65¢ | $19.80 | $99 |
| High | 1,500 | 13¢ | $1.08 | $32.94 | $165 |
At 8 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 | 0.77 | 14¢ | $4.23 | $51 |
| 2 hours | 1.52 | 27¢ | $8.33 | $100 |
| 4 hours | 3.02 | 54¢ | $16.54 | $198 |
| 8 hours | 6.02 | $1.08 | $32.94 | $395 |
| 12 hours | 9.01 | $1.62 | $49.35 | $592 |
| 24 hours | 18.00 | $3.24 | $98.56 | $1,183 |
Cost to run an oil-filled radiator in every state
The same oil-filled radiator costs $113 a year in North Dakota and $398 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¢ | $22.56 | $113 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 9.5¢ | $23.16 | $116 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 9.6¢ | $23.55 | $118 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 9.7¢ | $23.79 | $119 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 10.0¢ | $24.39 | $122 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 10¢ | $24.46 | $122 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 10¢ | $24.59 | $123 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 10¢ | $24.83 | $124 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 10¢ | $25.09 | $125 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 10¢ | $25.34 | $127 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 10¢ | $25.49 | $127 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 10¢ | $25.54 | $128 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 11¢ | $25.65 | $128 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 11¢ | $25.86 | $129 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 11¢ | $25.87 | $129 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 11¢ | $26.00 | $130 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 11¢ | $27.05 | $135 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 11¢ | $27.05 | $135 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 11¢ | $27.63 | $138 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 11¢ | $27.69 | $138 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 11¢ | $28.05 | $140 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 12¢ | $28.18 | $141 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 12¢ | $28.20 | $141 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 12¢ | $28.35 | $142 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 12¢ | $28.38 | $142 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 12¢ | $28.64 | $143 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 12¢ | $29.22 | $146 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 12¢ | $29.70 | $149 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 12¢ | $30.10 | $151 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 12¢ | $30.18 | $151 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 12¢ | $30.36 | $152 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 13¢ | $31.02 | $155 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 13¢ | $32.58 | $163 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 14¢ | $33.42 | $167 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 14¢ | $34.32 | $172 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 14¢ | $34.41 | $172 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 16¢ | $37.90 | $190 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 16¢ | $38.51 | $193 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 16¢ | $38.55 | $193 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 18¢ | $43.54 | $218 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 18¢ | $43.58 | $218 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 18¢ | $44.31 | $222 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 20¢ | $48.84 | $244 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 20¢ | $49.17 | $246 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 21¢ | $51.25 | $256 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 21¢ | $51.99 | $260 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 22¢ | $53.60 | $268 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 22¢ | $53.67 | $268 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 23¢ | $55.72 | $279 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 25¢ | $60.41 | $302 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 33¢ | $79.67 | $398 |
How to cut the cost
- Run it on the 600 W or 900 W setting with the thermostat at 66-68°F once the room is warm; the stored heat keeps the room steady.
- Turn it on 30-45 minutes before you need it and off 30 minutes early; it keeps radiating for a while after shutoff.
- Place it under a window or along an exterior wall in a closed room to counter drafts.
- Use one with a digital thermostat and 24-hour timer rather than an analog dial, which overshoots by several degrees.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Keeps you warm overnight at about 60-80 W average instead of heating a bedroom at 600-1,500 W.
See options on AmazonAdds accurate thermostat control to heaters with imprecise analog dials.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil-filled radiator | 1,500 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $32.94 | $165 |
| Space heater | 1,500 | 6 hours a day for 5 months a year | $29.67 | $148 |
| 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 |
| Heated mattress pad | 150 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $3.00 | $15 |
| Infrared heater | 1,500 | 6 hours a day for 5 months a year | $29.67 | $148 |
| Wall heater | 1,500 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $32.85 | $164 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run an oil-filled radiator per hour?
An oil-filled radiator drawing 1,500 watts uses 0.75 kWh per hour while running (50% duty cycle). 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 oil-filled radiator per month?
At typical use (8 hours a day for 5 months a year), an oil-filled radiator costs about $32.94 a month while in use and $165 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 oil-filled radiator use?
Most oil-filled radiators use 600 to 1,500 watts, depending on the setting (low 600 W, medium 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 an oil-filled radiator use?
About 6.02 kWh a day and 916 kWh a year at typical use (8 hours a day for 5 months a year).
Does an oil-filled radiator use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: 916 kWh a year is about 9% of the average U.S. home's yearly use.
Is it cheaper to run an oil-filled radiator or a space heater?
At typical use, an oil-filled radiator costs about $165 a year versus $148 for a space heater. So the space heater is cheaper by about $16 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running an oil-filled radiator?
- Run it on the 600 W or 900 W setting with the thermostat at 66-68°F once the room is warm; the stored heat keeps the room steady.
- Turn it on 30-45 minutes before you need it and off 30 minutes early; it keeps radiating for a while after shutoff.
- Place it under a window or along an exterior wall in a closed room to counter drafts.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.