How much does it cost to run a wall heater?
A wall heater costs about 13¢ per hour, $1.08 a day, $32.85 a month and $164 a year at typical use (8 hours a day for 5 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Fan-forced in-wall heaters (Cadet, Broan, Marley) are resistance heaters typically sized 1,000-2,000 W at 120 or 240 V. Duty cycle reflects thermostat cycling in a closed room.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 W | 1,000 | 9.0¢ | 72¢ | $21.90 | $110 |
| 1,500 W | 1,500 | 13¢ | $1.08 | $32.85 | $164 |
| 2,000 W | 2,000 | 18¢ | $1.44 | $43.81 | $219 |
| 4,000 W | 4,000 | 36¢ | $2.88 | $87.61 | $438 |
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 | 0.75 | 13¢ | $4.11 | $49 |
| 2 hours | 1.50 | 27¢ | $8.21 | $99 |
| 4 hours | 3.00 | 54¢ | $16.43 | $197 |
| 8 hours | 6.00 | $1.08 | $32.85 | $394 |
| 12 hours | 9.00 | $1.62 | $49.28 | $591 |
| 24 hours | 18.00 | $3.24 | $98.56 | $1,183 |
Cost to run a wall heater in every state
The same wall heater costs $112 a year in North Dakota and $397 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¢ | $22.50 | $112 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 9.5¢ | $23.10 | $116 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 9.6¢ | $23.49 | $117 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 9.7¢ | $23.72 | $119 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 10.0¢ | $24.33 | $122 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 10¢ | $24.40 | $122 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 10¢ | $24.53 | $123 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 10¢ | $24.76 | $124 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 10¢ | $25.02 | $125 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 10¢ | $25.28 | $126 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 10¢ | $25.42 | $127 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 10¢ | $25.48 | $127 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 11¢ | $25.59 | $128 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 11¢ | $25.79 | $129 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 11¢ | $25.80 | $129 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 11¢ | $25.93 | $130 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 11¢ | $26.97 | $135 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 11¢ | $26.97 | $135 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 11¢ | $27.56 | $138 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 11¢ | $27.61 | $138 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 11¢ | $27.98 | $140 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 12¢ | $28.11 | $141 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 12¢ | $28.12 | $141 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 12¢ | $28.27 | $141 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 12¢ | $28.31 | $142 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 12¢ | $28.56 | $143 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 12¢ | $29.15 | $146 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 12¢ | $29.62 | $148 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 12¢ | $30.02 | $150 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 12¢ | $30.10 | $150 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 12¢ | $30.28 | $151 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 13¢ | $30.94 | $155 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 13¢ | $32.49 | $162 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 14¢ | $33.33 | $167 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 14¢ | $34.22 | $171 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 14¢ | $34.32 | $172 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 16¢ | $37.80 | $189 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 16¢ | $38.41 | $192 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 16¢ | $38.44 | $192 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 18¢ | $43.43 | $217 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 18¢ | $43.46 | $217 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 18¢ | $44.20 | $221 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 20¢ | $48.71 | $244 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 20¢ | $49.03 | $245 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 21¢ | $51.12 | $256 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 21¢ | $51.85 | $259 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 22¢ | $53.45 | $267 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 22¢ | $53.53 | $268 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 23¢ | $55.57 | $278 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 25¢ | $60.25 | $301 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 33¢ | $79.46 | $397 |
How to cut the cost
- Set the built-in thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting; each 1°F lower saves about 3% of heater run time.
- In bathrooms, swap the on/off switch for a 15-60 minute countdown timer switch.
- Clean the grille and fan with a vacuum each fall; lint buildup reduces airflow and output.
- Add a programmable or smart line-voltage thermostat to set back temperatures at night.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Heats the same room using about a third to half the electricity.
See options on AmazonPrevents bathroom wall heaters from being left on for hours.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall heater | 1,500 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $32.85 | $164 |
| Electric baseboard heater | 1,500 | 12 hours a day for 5 months a year | $49.28 | $246 |
| Space heater | 1,500 | 6 hours a day for 5 months a year | $29.67 | $148 |
| Mini split heat pump (heating) | 1,100 | 14 hours a day for 5 months a year | $46.65 | $233 |
| Heat lamp | 250 | 30 minutes a day | $0.68 | $8 |
| Ceramic space heater | 1,500 | 6 hours a day for 5 months a year | $29.67 | $148 |
| Oil-filled radiator | 1,500 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $32.94 | $165 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a wall heater per hour?
A wall heater 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 a wall heater per month?
At typical use (8 hours a day for 5 months a year), a wall heater costs about $32.85 a month while in use and $164 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 wall heater use?
Most wall heaters use 500 to 4,000 watts, depending on the setting (1,000 w 1,000 W, 1,500 w 1,500 W, 2,000 w 2,000 W, 4,000 w 4,000 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a wall heater use?
About 6.00 kWh a day and 913 kWh a year at typical use (8 hours a day for 5 months a year).
Does a wall heater use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: 913 kWh a year is about 9% of the average U.S. home's yearly use.
Is it cheaper to run a wall heater or an electric baseboard heater?
At typical use, a wall heater costs about $164 a year versus $246 for an electric baseboard heater. So the wall heater is cheaper by about $82 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a wall heater?
- Set the built-in thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting; each 1°F lower saves about 3% of heater run time.
- In bathrooms, swap the on/off switch for a 15-60 minute countdown timer switch.
- Clean the grille and fan with a vacuum each fall; lint buildup reduces airflow and output.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.