How Much Does It Cost to Run an Engine Block Heater in New Brunswick? (2026)

Block heaters keep an engine warm in cold climates so it starts easily. Plugging in all night is common but unnecessary; two to four hours before a start achieves the same result at a fraction of the cost.

A typical engine block heater (750 W) costs C$0.12 per hour, or about C$14.95 per month at 4 hours a day in New Brunswick. Average running cost

Hours used per day
WattagePer hourPer dayPer monthPer year
Low 400 WC$0.066C$0.27C$7.97C$31.89
Typical 750 WC$0.12C$0.50C$14.95C$59.80
High 1,500 WC$0.25C$1.00C$29.90C$119.59

Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 4 h/day for about 120 days a year (the cold months) ≈ 360 kWh per year.

One hour of an engine block heater (0.75 kWh) is the same electricity as

Electricity per year at typical use, on a log scale: #65 of 95 appliances, from least to most.

In New Brunswick, with electricity at 16.6¢ per kWh (source: Hydro-Québec 2025 comparison, 2025-04), a typical engine block heater costs C$0.12 per hour and about C$59.80 per year at 4 hours a day. That is about 19% more than the national average for Canada (C$12.60 per month), because electricity in New Brunswick costs 16.6¢ per kWh against 14.0¢ nationally. Each C$1.00 of electricity buys roughly 8.0 hours of use.

How to lower the cost of running an engine block heater

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to plug in a car overnight?

A 750 watt heater for 10 hours uses 7.5 kWh. On a 3 hour timer it uses 2.25 kWh.

How long should a block heater be plugged in?

Two to four hours. Beyond that the engine gains no more heat.

Do block heaters cycle on and off?

Most basic ones run continuously. Thermostat models cycle and use less.

Cost by region

US states
Canadian provinces

Related appliances

Use the generic electricity cost calculator · Which uses more? Take the quiz