How Much Does It Cost to Run a Space Heater in Virginia? (2026)
Portable electric space heaters are one of the most expensive appliances to run per hour. Plug-in models top out at 1,500 watts in North America, the limit of a standard outlet, and at 2,000 to 3,000 watts where outlets are 230 volts, so the main cost driver is how many hours you leave it on.
A typical space heater (1,500 W) costs $0.26 per hour, or about $46.49 per month at 6 hours a day in Virginia. Expensive to run
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low 750 W | $0.13 | $0.77 | $23.25 | $116.23 |
| Typical 1,500 W | $0.26 | $1.55 | $46.49 | $232.47 |
| High 2,000 W | $0.34 | $2.07 | $61.99 | $309.96 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 6 h/day for about 150 days a year (the heating season) ≈ 1,350 kWh per year.
One hour of a space heater (1.5 kWh) is the same electricity as
- 8.3km in an electric car
- 15hours of TV
- 33hours of a laptop
- 167hours of an LED bulb
In Virginia, with electricity at 17.2¢ per kWh (source: EIA Table 5.6.A, 2026-06), a typical space heater costs $0.26 per hour and about $232.47 per year at 6 hours a day. That is about 6% less than the national average for the US ($49.52 per month), because electricity in Virginia costs 17.2¢ per kWh against 18.3¢ nationally. Each $1.00 of electricity buys roughly 3.9 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.
Is an efficient space heater worth it?
Resistance space heater or baseboard, 1,500 W: about 1,350 kWh a year. Mini-split heat pump, seasonal COP around 3: about 450 kWh. The difference is worth $154.98 a year in Virginia.
- Replacing one that still works pays back in 19.4 years.
- When yours needs replacing anyway, the extra cost of the efficient model pays back in 16.1 years.
Usage assumed: one room, 6 hours a day through a 150-day heating season. Typical prices: $3,000 for the efficient model, $2,500 more than a basic one. Work it out with your own prices
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
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Canadian provinces
Related appliances
- Electric Blanket100 W typical
- Heat Pump (Ducted or Mini-Split)2,000 W typical
- Baseboard Heater1,500 W typical
- Portable Fan (Box or Pedestal)50 W typical
Use the generic electricity cost calculator · Which uses more? Take the quiz