How much does it cost to run a small space heater?
A small space heater costs about 5.0¢ per hour, 30¢ a day, $9.25 a month and $46 a year at typical use (6 hours a day for 5 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Personal and plug-in outlet heaters draw roughly 200-800 W. They can only warm the person sitting nearby, not a room.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plug-in wall heater | 350 | 4.4¢ | 27¢ | $8.10 | $40 |
| Personal heater | 400 | 5.0¢ | 30¢ | $9.25 | $46 |
| Small heater high | 800 | 10¢ | 61¢ | $18.45 | $92 |
At 6 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 | 0.29 | 5.2¢ | $1.60 | $19 |
| 2 hours | 0.57 | 10¢ | $3.13 | $38 |
| 4 hours | 1.13 | 20¢ | $6.19 | $74 |
| 8 hours | 2.25 | 40¢ | $12.31 | $148 |
| 12 hours | 3.37 | 61¢ | $18.43 | $221 |
| 24 hours | 6.72 | $1.21 | $36.80 | $442 |
Cost to run a small space heater in every state
The same small space heater costs $32 a year in North Dakota and $112 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¢ | 3.4¢ | $6.33 | $32 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 3.5¢ | $6.50 | $33 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 3.6¢ | $6.61 | $33 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 3.6¢ | $6.68 | $33 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 3.7¢ | $6.85 | $34 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 3.7¢ | $6.87 | $34 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 3.8¢ | $6.90 | $35 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 3.8¢ | $6.97 | $35 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 3.8¢ | $7.04 | $35 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 3.9¢ | $7.11 | $36 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 3.9¢ | $7.16 | $36 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 3.9¢ | $7.17 | $36 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 3.9¢ | $7.20 | $36 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 4.0¢ | $7.26 | $36 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 4.0¢ | $7.26 | $36 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 4.0¢ | $7.30 | $37 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 4.1¢ | $7.59 | $38 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 4.1¢ | $7.59 | $38 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 4.2¢ | $7.76 | $39 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 4.2¢ | $7.77 | $39 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 4.3¢ | $7.88 | $39 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 4.3¢ | $7.91 | $40 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 4.3¢ | $7.92 | $40 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 4.3¢ | $7.96 | $40 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 4.3¢ | $7.97 | $40 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 4.4¢ | $8.04 | $40 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 4.5¢ | $8.20 | $41 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 4.5¢ | $8.34 | $42 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 4.6¢ | $8.45 | $42 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 4.6¢ | $8.47 | $42 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 4.6¢ | $8.52 | $43 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 4.7¢ | $8.71 | $44 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 5.0¢ | $9.15 | $46 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 5.1¢ | $9.38 | $47 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 5.2¢ | $9.63 | $48 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 5.3¢ | $9.66 | $48 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 5.8¢ | $10.64 | $53 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 5.9¢ | $10.81 | $54 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 5.9¢ | $10.82 | $54 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 6.7¢ | $12.23 | $61 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 6.7¢ | $12.24 | $61 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 6.8¢ | $12.44 | $62 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 7.5¢ | $13.71 | $69 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 7.5¢ | $13.80 | $69 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 7.8¢ | $14.39 | $72 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 7.9¢ | $14.59 | $73 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 8.2¢ | $15.05 | $75 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 8.2¢ | $15.07 | $75 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 8.5¢ | $15.64 | $78 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 9.2¢ | $16.96 | $85 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 12¢ | $22.37 | $112 |
How to cut the cost
- Position it within 2-3 ft of your legs or feet; output drops off sharply with distance.
- Look for models with a thermostat or timer; many cheap plug-in units run continuously.
- Pair it with lowering the room or house thermostat 4-6°F so the small heater replaces, rather than adds to, central heat.
- Use a model with tip-over and overheat protection and never run it under a desk next to paper or cords.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Radiant panels warm your legs at 150-200 W with no fan noise.
See options on AmazonWarms feet directly at 30-60 W.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small space heater | 400 | 6 hours a day for 5 months a year | $9.25 | $46 |
| Space heater | 1,500 | 6 hours a day for 5 months a year | $29.67 | $148 |
| Under-desk heater | 170 | 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 5 months a year | $4.52 | $23 |
| Heating pad | 50 | 1 hour a day | $0.19 | $2 |
| Heated throw | 100 | 3 hours a day for 5 months a year | $1.04 | $5 |
| Roof de-icing cable | 500 | 12 hours a day for 4 months a year | $19.71 | $79 |
| Electric radiant floor heating | 600 | 6 hours a day for 7 months a year | $9.86 | $69 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a small space heater per hour?
A small space heater drawing 400 watts uses 0.28 kWh per hour while running (70% duty cycle). At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 5.0¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 3.4¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 12¢.
How much does it cost to run a small space heater per month?
At typical use (6 hours a day for 5 months a year), a small space heater costs about $9.25 a month while in use and $46 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 a small space heater use?
Most small space heaters use 200 to 800 watts, depending on the setting (plug-in wall heater 350 W, personal heater 400 W, small heater high 800 W). Plugged in but off, it still draws about 0.5 W of standby power. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a small space heater use?
About 1.69 kWh a day and 257 kWh a year at typical use (6 hours a day for 5 months a year).
Does a small space heater use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 257 kWh a year it's a small share (2.5%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a small space heater or a space heater?
At typical use, a small space heater costs about $46 a year versus $148 for a space heater. So the small space heater is cheaper by about $102 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a small space heater?
- Position it within 2-3 ft of your legs or feet; output drops off sharply with distance.
- Look for models with a thermostat or timer; many cheap plug-in units run continuously.
- Pair it with lowering the room or house thermostat 4-6°F so the small heater replaces, rather than adds to, central heat.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.