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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Space Heater in California? (2026)
Portable electric space heaters are one of the most expensive appliances to run per hour. Almost all plug-in models top out at 1,500 watts because that is the limit of a standard household outlet, so the main cost driver is how many hours you leave it on.
A typical space heater (1,500 W) costs $0.52 per hour, or about $94.50 per month at 6 hours a day in California. Expensive to run
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (750 W) | $0.26 | $1.57 | $47.25 | $574.88 |
| Typical (1,500 W) | $0.52 | $3.15 | $94.50 | $1,150 |
| High (1,500 W) | $0.52 | $3.15 | $94.50 | $1,150 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 6 h/day ≈ 3,285 kWh per year.
In California, with electricity at $0.35 per kWh (source: EIA Table 5.6.A, 2026-06), a typical space heater costs $0.52 per hour and about $1,150 per year at 6 hours a day. That is about 94% more than the US national average of $48.60 per month, because electricity in California costs $0.35 per kWh against $0.18 nationally. Each $1.00 of electricity buys roughly 1.9 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running a space heater
- Heat only the room you are in and close the door. A space heater warming a whole house costs more than central heating.
- Use the low setting (usually 750 W) once the room is warm. It halves the running cost.
- Pair it with a plug-in timer or a smart plug so it never runs overnight by accident.
- A heater with a thermostat cycles on and off, so real consumption is often 30 to 50 percent below the rated wattage.
Frequently asked questions
Does a space heater use a lot of electricity?
Yes. At 1,500 watts it draws as much as a microwave, and it usually runs for hours rather than minutes.
Is it cheaper to run a space heater or central heating?
For a single small room, the space heater is usually cheaper. For more than one or two rooms, central heating wins.
Are oil-filled heaters cheaper to run?
Not per hour. All resistive heaters convert electricity to heat at the same efficiency. Oil-filled models just hold heat longer after switching off.
Compare with
Cost by region
- United States (average)
- California
- Texas
- New York
- Florida
- Canada (average)
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- France
- Australia
- India