Electric Patio Heater vs Electric Fireplace: Which Costs More to Run? (2026)
Both are resistive heaters, so per watt they cost the same. The difference is where they work. An electric fireplace heats an enclosed room and the heat stays; a patio heater warms people outdoors and every watt escapes into the sky. Indoors, the fireplace is the sensible choice. Outdoors, only an infrared patio heater aimed directly at seating is worth running.
At the hours shown, Electric Patio Heater costs about $394.20 per year and Electric Fireplace about $394.20 in United States (average).
| Appliance | Typical watts | Hours / day | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Patio Heater | 2,000 W | $0.36 | $32.40 | $394.20 | |
| Electric Fireplace | 1,500 W | $0.27 | $32.40 | $394.20 |
Edit the hours to match your own use. Costs use the typical wattage of each appliance.
When the electric patio heater makes sense
- You are outside and cannot go in
- The heater is mounted close above the seating
- You run it for an hour, not an evening
When the electric fireplace makes sense
- You are indoors
- You want ambience plus heat
- You want to zone-heat one room
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