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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Engine Block Heater in Louisiana? (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 $0.098 per hour, or about $11.70 per month at 4 hours a day in Louisiana. Expensive to run
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (400 W) | $0.052 | $0.21 | $6.24 | $75.92 |
| Typical (750 W) | $0.098 | $0.39 | $11.70 | $142.35 |
| High (1,500 W) | $0.20 | $0.78 | $23.40 | $284.70 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 4 h/day ≈ 1,095 kWh per year.
One hour of an engine block heater (0.75 kWh) is the same electricity as
- 4.2km in an electric car
- 7.5hours of TV
- 17hours of a laptop
- 83hours of an LED bulb
In Louisiana, with electricity at $0.13 per kWh (source: EIA Table 5.6.A, 2026-06), a typical engine block heater costs $0.098 per hour and about $142.35 per year at 4 hours a day. That is about 28% less than the national average for the US ($16.20 per month), because electricity in Louisiana costs $0.13 per kWh against $0.18 nationally. Each $1.00 of electricity buys roughly 10.3 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running a engine block heater
- Use an outdoor timer set to switch on 3 hours before you leave.
- Skip the heater above about -15 C. Modern engines start fine.
- Combine with a battery blanket only in extreme cold.
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
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Canadian provinces
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- Electric Scooter Charger80 W typical
- Electric Vehicle Charger (Home)7,200 W typical
Use the generic electricity cost calculator → · Which uses more? Take the quiz →