Installing an electric heater costs between $400 and $1,500 per unit for a standard wall or baseboard heater, including the unit and professional labor. If you need a new dedicated electrical circuit run to the room, budget an additional $570 to $1,000.
Installation rates for electric wall heaters vary depending on the type of heater selected and how much prep work is needed. Labor costs range from $85-$200. If your project requires extensive electrical work the cost may increase by $400 or more. The heater itself can cost between $100-$500.
To heat a 24x24 foot (576 sq. ft.) garage, you will generally need between 30,000 and 45,000 BTUs. The exact amount depends heavily on your local climate, ceiling height, and insulation levels.
One small space heater plugged in 8 hours a day can add about $50 to your monthly electric bill. Space heaters are a great way to increase the temperature in one room for a short period of time, but keep in mind that they can be costly to run and will result in a higher bill.
Most contractors charge $300 to $700 for labor to install a new wall heater. An HVAC contractor charges $75 to $150 per hour to install a wall heater. If you need to install or alter any of your electrical wiring, electricians charge $50 to $130 per hour.
"It's cheaper to use a space heater instead of central heat only if you're heating one small area for about four hours a day or less, not the whole home," explains Goude.
6 Ways to Creatively Heat Your House If Your Furnace Broke
Heating and cooling (HVAC) systems are the biggest energy consumers in a typical house, accounting for roughly 45−50% of your total electricity usage. Water heaters, refrigerators, and lighting round out the rest of the major draws.
If your home uses electricity for central heating, the cost is likely still cheaper than running space heaters. According to Scerbo, “Buying a space heater for every room would increase the electricity bill more than if you had just bumped up the thermostat.”
It takes time for your home to warm up and cool down. If you're not sure how long it takes, try turning the heating on about 30 minutes before you need it. You should turn it off 30 minutes before you'll stop needing it.
An uninsulated garage door is perhaps the biggest culprit for heat loss in your garage, as there is no barrier to slow the heat transfer out of your garage. In order to protect your garage from heat loss, you need a door with insulation.
A 30,000 BTU heater typically heats a space between 1,000 and 1,500 square feet, depending on your climate and the room's insulation.
This may be one of the most simple but clever ways to heat your pool. Simply purchase a black garden hose and connect it to the outside water spigot. Ensure your hose is in direct sunlight, wrapped in a coil shape to maximize its surface area (while still reaching your spigot and pool).
The cheapest way to heat a garage depends on your setup, but insulation is the most cost-effective first step. Once insulated, the cheapest upfront method is a portable propane or electric space heater. For long-term running costs, a permanently installed natural gas heater or ductless mini-split is the most affordable.
The most cost-effective way to heat a house with electricity is by using an air-source heat pump. While they cost more upfront, heat pumps are up to 3× to 4× more efficient than traditional electric resistance heating.
Convection Heaters
They can have wattage from 2000 to 3000W, costing 55p to 83p per hour. This type of heater is best for living rooms and bedrooms with closed air circulation. Larger spaces will require more energy usage and higher electricity costs.
In most homes, Heating and Cooling (HVAC) systems drive the highest energy costs, accounting for nearly 40% to 50% of your total electricity bill. Following these, the appliances that run up your bill the most include water heaters, refrigerators, and laundry machines.
A detailed study from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory found residents preferred a wintertime heater setting between 67 °F and 70 °F (19 °C to 21 °C). The Department of Energy recommends a winter heat setting of 68 °F (20 °C), which matches up very well with the temperatures most of us are comfortable with.
Known for his practical tips, Lewis introduced the '4pm rule' which involves using curtains strategically to retain heat. He suggests opening curtains when the sun rises at around 8:30am to let in natural warmth, and closing them by 4pm to keep the heat inside.
Natural gas is usually the cheapest way. Even with higher gas prices, a heating system fueled by natural gas is typically less than electricity, propane, or heating oil. Energy efficiency is another way to assess the cost of a heating system. An energy-efficient heating system saves you money on your heating bill.
Assuming the U.S. average cost of electricity of 17.98¢ per kWh (Source: US Average Electricity Cost as of October 2025 per EIA) it will cost you $42 a month to use your space heater. Try this electricity usage calculator to see the electricity usage and cost to run your space heater each month.
A typical furnace cycle should last 10-15 minutes, with 2-3 cycles per hour during cold weather. Very cold days might require more frequent cycling, but cycles should still last several minutes each.
The Top Energy-Draining Appliance: Space Heating & Cooling
This includes both forced-air systems, heat pumps, furnaces, baseboards, window A/C units, and fans. Because they run for long periods and often at high wattage, they dominate the consumption profile.
Electric heating systems and tumble dryers tend to be the most expensive electrical items to run because they use large amounts of power over extended periods. Other high-cost appliances include electric ovens and immersion heaters. Using these efficiently and during off-peak hours can help reduce costs.