Updated April 23, 2026

Heater Cost Per Hour (2026)

Every Wattage — From 500W to 5000W

A space heater costs between $0.05 and $1.25 per hour depending on wattage and your electricity rate. A 1500W heater — the most common size — costs $0.23/hour at the US average rate of $0.15/kWh.

✓Formula: Wattage ÷ 1000 × $/kWh rate = cost per hour

Cost Table

Space Heater Cost Per Hour by Wattage

Wattage	Low Rate ($0.09)	Avg Rate ($0.15)	High Rate ($0.25)	Typical Use
500W	$0.05	$0.08	$0.13	Personal / desk heaters
750W	$0.07	$0.11	$0.19	Small room supplemental
1000W	$0.09	$0.15	$0.25	Small bedroom, office
1200W	$0.11	$0.18	$0.30	Medium room
1500W	$0.14	$0.23	$0.38	Standard space heater
2000W	$0.18	$0.30	$0.50	Large room, garage
3000W	$0.27	$0.45	$0.75	Workshop, basement
5000W	$0.45	$0.75	$1.25	Industrial / garage

Quick formula: Take your heater wattage, divide by 1,000, then multiply by your electricity rate. Example: 1500W ÷ 1000 = 1.5 kW. 1.5 × $0.15 = $0.23/hour.

Custom cost calculator →Cost per day →Cost per month →

FAQ

Heater Cost Per Hour Questions

How much does a 1500-watt heater cost per hour?

A 1500-watt heater costs $0.14/hour at $0.09/kWh, $0.23/hour at $0.15/kWh (US average), and $0.38/hour at $0.25/kWh.

How much does a 500-watt heater cost per hour?

A 500-watt heater costs $0.05/hour at $0.09/kWh, $0.08/hour at $0.15/kWh, and $0.13/hour at $0.25/kWh.

What is the cheapest heater to run per hour?

A 200-watt personal heater costs only $0.03/hour at average rates. However, it only heats a small personal space, not an entire room.

Does a higher wattage heater always cost more per hour?

Yes — cost per hour is directly proportional to wattage. A 2000W heater costs exactly twice as much per hour as a 1000W heater. However, it also produces twice as much heat.

Heater Cost Per Hour (2026)

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