Does Space Heater use a lot of electricity? Do you want to buy a space heater and wonder if these devices use lots of electricity? Stay with us to find out more. If you don’t have a fireplace or need more heat on chilly days, space heaters are handy. But a lot of folks are unsure about space heaters. Does space heater use a lot of electricity?

Despite being compact and effective, space heaters have drawbacks. True, a lot of electricity is used by space heaters. But it doesn’t have to be an outrageous expense if handled correctly. By learning the precise Wattage of your mode, you can determine how much electricity a space heater consumes.

Although power consumption varies depending on the space heater and how frequently someone uses their heater, space heaters typically consume roughly 1.5 kilowatts (based on a 1,500-watt space heater).

How Much Electricity Does Space Heater Use

Table of Contents

Finding the appliance’s Wattage is the first step in calculating how much electricity your space heater will consume. Most likely, this information will be printed on the heater or in the accompanying instruction manual.

The quantity of electricity required to power and operate the space heater is indicated by its Wattage. Although most electric heaters consume 1500 watts, be cautious to verify as yours may consume less or more. Assume for the moment that your heater has a 1,500-watt output. Your heater requires 1.5 kilowatts of power since 1,000 watts equal 1 kilowatt.

Although the amount of energy consumed to power a 1-kW item for an hour is measured in kilowatt-hours on your electric bill, based on a space heater’s Wattage, you may use a relatively straightforward formula to determine how much electricity it will use in an hour.

You may calculate the Wattage of your electric heater by multiplying the number of hours you anticipate using it. For instance, you might multiply having it on by five hours if you want to use it while reading for a few hours on a Saturday. 1,500 multiplied by five hours equals 7,500.

The next step is to divide that amount by 1,000. 7,500 / 1,000 = 7.5

Your new rate is this. Multiply this useful value by the rates charged by your electric company. Except if you have solar power, you would be producing your electricity! Solar energy is an excellent way to avoid having a significant monthly electric cost.

Even if your home is powered by solar energy, you may still want to consider how much energy a space heater uses to warm the area. The amount of money you will pay for a few hours of warmth from your heater can then be computed by multiplying the rate you calculated (7.5 in our example) by the electric company rate.

Is A Larger Space Heater Going To Use More Electricity?

Indeed, larger heaters will draw more power. The size of a space heater is the most crucial aspect, even though other elements like shape, design, and weight can also have an impact.

This is so that larger heaters can function, which requires more power. The heater’s heat output per square foot is inversely proportional to its power consumption. Your electricity expenses can also go up as a result.

Hours Per Day

After determining the hourly rate, we must determine the cost per day. Try to estimate how long the heater is on each day as you probably don’t use it 24 hours a day.

Kilowatts

While your heater’s power consumption is specified in watts, your electrical company bills you in kilowatts, the amount of energy used when a 1,000-watt appliance is used for an hour.

One kWh of electricity will be consumed, for instance, if a lamp or light with a single 100-watt bulb is left on for 10 hours. Additionally, a 2,000-watt appliance running for 30 minutes would consume 1 kWh of electricity.

Determine Your Cost Per Kilowatt Hour (kWh)

The amount you are being charged for electricity will vary depending on where you live, so you must first determine it. To get even more specific, take out an old electricity bill and look for your kWh (1,000 watts) price. Alternatively, you can use the chart above.

If you’re anything like me, your neighborhood electric company also tacks on various additional costs and fees, such as the price of bringing electricity to your house. It might be a good idea to include those in your KWh price, so there are no unpleasant surprises.

Here is an example of an additional fee or charge you might see on your bill, but remember that these can vary depending on where you are.

Fixed costs. Before your meter turns on, you must pay this sum, which may be at least $10 a month. The kind of plan you have is another thing to be aware of. Do you have a variable rate plan or a fixed-rate plan?

Texans with variable-rate plans who endured the harsh winter and snowstorms at the beginning of 2021 were in for a costly shock. It was expensive for those who did hold positions of power. In a “perfect storm” scenario—pardon the pun—where demand was outpacing supply, regulators increased energy prices, and the wholesale electricity price increased by more than 10,000%, some people received bills as high as $17,000.

You get the idea, even though that was a little off-topic. The kWh price listed on your statement may mean far more than that.

The next step is to multiply your daily costs by seven or thirty to determine your costs per week or month.

That’s all, then! You are an expert at calculating the cost of operating your electric heater now. For that matter, any equipment.

Tips that Help to Reduce Power Consumption of Space Heater

If a room isn’t in use, don’t heat it. Never leave a space heater unattended. Remembering to turn off heaters when you leave a room can help you save money.
Use a thermometer to check the room’s temperature. Most space heaters lack temperature controls or thermostats, and those frequently have erroneous or challenging-to-read readings. Use a different thermometer to monitor the room’s temperature and avoid overheating.
A central heating system can be a better choice if you use several space heaters in your house for more than a few hours each day. The best approach to heat your entire home is through your central heating system.
The greatest places for space heaters to be utilized are rooms that can be closed off to retain heat, like small bedrooms or offices. Large rooms or spaces that are challenging to isolate from the rest of your house won’t be heated by these heaters.
Select the appropriate space heater. Not all space heaters operate efficiently. Some space heaters can uniformly heat a whole room, but others are better at heating the area just before them. Use the advice at the back to decide which space heater is best for you.

Can Electric Space Heaters Save You Money?

Perhaps you already know the response. Increasing the heat in your home is customary as the outside temperature drops. You might, however, be seeking a more economical heating method. Have you heard that investing in a “magic” space heater would save your electricity costs by up to 50% or that you can heat your house for just pennies per day? The amount of pennies it will cost is not disclosed in these adverts. Before buying a possibly expensive space heater, members of your local electric cooperative are advised to be wary of such promises and conduct thorough research.

You must lower the temperature in your home to between 50 and 60 degrees and move the heater with you from room to room to realize the savings these “miracle” space heater advertisements promise. This compromises ease and comfort across the rest of your home and is a potential safety threat.

Compared To Other Heat Sources and Appliances

It would require roughly 1,070 kWh to operate an electric space heater for a month at a constant of 1,500 watts. In contrast, operating a heat pump could consume between 1,000 and 2,000 kWh/month, while using a baseboard heater would require between 100 and 500 kWh/month. However, it’s crucial to remember that a space heater can only heat a small area, whereas a heat pump can provide the same level of heating for an entire house.

A microwave consumes roughly 25 watts (85 BTU/hr) to operate, but an oven uses about 5,000 watts (17,061 BTU/hr), and a refrigerator uses about 780 watts (2,672 BTU/hr). The energy required to run a modest space heater for an hour may be used to run a refrigerator for around four hours.

How Much Energy Does A Space Heater Use?

The efficiency of electric plug-in space heaters is comparable to that of other electric heating sources. Additionally, it should be noted that all electric space heaters have the same efficiency. No matter how much you pay for it, an electric space heater with a 1,500-watt rating will use the same amount of power and generate the same amount of heat.

Additionally, all-electric space heaters are equally efficient, and electric plug-in space heaters are not more efficient than other electric heating sources. No matter how much you pay, a 1,500-watt electric space heater will produce the same amount of heat.

Using the money you would have spent on a space heater would be wiser to upgrade your home’s weatherization, such as by sealing and adding insulation.

Conclusion On Does Space Heater Use A Lot Of Electricity

Due to their portability, affordability, and efficiency, space heaters are a preferred option for families worldwide.

Just like with any other electrical equipment, it is crucial to choose your heater carefully. It’s critical to comprehend the price and Wattage of a space heater before you get one. This will give you a better picture of the ongoing expenses so you can decide if you can afford them.

Consider the operating costs before buying an electric plug-in space heater that says it will reduce your heating expenditure. To determine the running costs of an electric space heater or any other electric device, use the following formula. For illustration, we determined the actual cost of continuously operating a 1,500-watt space heater for 30 days.