Is it cheaper to use a plug-in heater?

Author: Devonte Cole  |  Last update: Friday, September 26, 2025

Savings using a space heater for 8 hours per day Those with electric heat save less -- about $72 respectively -- and folks with natural gas, which is currently cheap, would pay about $36 more than if they ran a space heater.

Does a plug-in heater save money?

The amount of savings depends on various factors, including the heater's energy efficiency, the room size, and your local utility rates, but it can range from a few dollars to significant savings in colder months.

Are plug-in heaters cheap to run?

Really, it all depends what kind of heater you're looking for and more importantly how you use it. It's also important to note that, if used for over long periods of time, electric room heaters can be expensive to run (as electric is more expensive than gas).

Do plug in heaters run up electric bill?

If you use a space heater in your home, please be aware that using a space heater can cause a significant increase in your monthly bill. A 1,000-watt space heater operating 12 hours a day will add about $40 to your monthly bill. If the cost does not deter you, remember how important it is to use space heaters safely.

Is it cheaper to put the heating on or use an electric heater?

It might be cheaper to heat one room with an electric heater. But it depends on the size of the room and how long you need to heat it for. Although gas costs about four times less than electricity per kWh, it will usually be heating more than one room through the central heating system.

What's the most efficient type of electric heater?

What is the cheapest way to heat a room?

What's the cheapest way to heat your home?
  • Gas boiler.
  • Gas boiler and solar thermal panels.
  • Oil boiler.
  • Electric combi boiler.
  • Air source heat pump.
  • Biomass boiler.
  • Infrared heating panels.
  • Wood burner.

How much will my electric bill go up with an electric heater?

Using a space heater 8 hours per day will use about 84 kilowatt-hours of electricity per week. It costs an average of $51.65 to run a space heater for a month and $258.26 to run for a year.

Is it worth buying a plug in heater?

Electric heaters may be essential if you live in one of the four million or so households in the UK that don't use mains gas heating and are a good solution if you're just looking to heat one room, or only need to heat in short, sharp bursts. Your heater's power will be measured in kilowatts (kW).

What runs your electric bill up the most?

What costs the most on your electric bill? Heating and cooling are by far the greatest energy users in the home, making up around 40% of your electric bill. Other big users are washers, dryers, ovens, and stoves. Electronic devices like laptops and TVs are usually pretty cheap to run, but of course, it can all add up.

Do plug ins run up your electric bill?

Many appliances continue to use electricity even when they are shut off. The same goes for all those chargers, whether or not they are charging a smartphone. Everything you leave plugged into an outlet—appliances, computers, consoles, chargers, lamps, and more —draws energy even when not in use.

Which heater uses the least electricity?

Oil-filled heaters are the least efficient type of heater. If you want to save money on your heating costs, then an infrared heater is the best type of heater to choose. An infrared heater will use less electricity than any other type of heater, and so it will be cheaper to run.

How much does it cost to run a plug in heater all night?

On average, you can expect to pay about 20 cents per hour to run a typical space heater that's 1,500 watts and can heat a standard room such as a home office or bedroom. If you run it for eight hours per day, you'll pay about $1.60 per day or $48 per month.

How long can you run a plug in heater?

At Night: If you choose to use your space heater overnight, it's best to limit its operation to 4 to 6 hours on a lower setting.

Is it bad to leave a plug in heater on all night?

Electric heaters of any type are unsafe to leave running overnight because they carry a significant amount of risk. If a space heater falls over or becomes too hot from running for too long of a period of time, that can lead to a fast-moving fire that occurs while you are asleep and cannot act fast enough.

How much does it cost to run a 1500 watt heater for 24 hours?

Example (you can use an electric heater running cost calculator below for different wattages/kWh prices): If we assume the price of electricity is $0.1319 per kWh, a 1,500-watt electric space heater will cost; $0.20 to run per hour. $4.80 to run per 24 hours (day). $11.20 to run per week (8h/day).

Do plug in devices save electricity?

No, plug-in devices won't save money on your electricity bill | wtsp.com.

What drains the most electricity in a house?

Which home appliances use the most electricity?
  1. Heating and cooling: 45-50% The largest electricity consumer in the average household is your heating and cooling appliance. ...
  2. Water heater: 12% ...
  3. Lighting: 9-12% ...
  4. Refrigerator: 8% ...
  5. Washer and dryer: 5% ...
  6. Electric oven: 3% ...
  7. Dishwasher: 2% ...
  8. TV and cable box: 2%

What would cause my electric bill to spike?

Extra showers, more lights, and adjusting the thermostat even just a couple degrees can all add up to a higher electric bill.

What utility bill is usually the highest?

Key takeaways
  • The average American household pays $6,888 in utility bills per year, including for cell phone and internet services, electricity, gas and water.
  • The most expensive utility is cell phone service, at $1,844 per year, followed by electricity at $1,644 per year.

Do plug-in heaters use a lot of electricity?

Space heaters usually consume between 400 and 1500 watts of electricity, and the majority use around 800-1000 watts. If an electric heater is used for 3 hours a day, then it could add up to 90 kWh of electricity to your monthly electricity bill, which could be an additional 5-10% of your total monthly electricity cost.

Do plug-in wall heaters really work?

Wall heaters can quickly heat up an entire room. These heaters are perfect for single rooms. They are not for entire floors or for multiple areas. If you have several rooms on a floor, you'll need one heater per room, plus one or more for each hallway or common area.

What type of heater is the cheapest to run?

Tubular heaters are the cheapest electric heater to run this winter, offering efficient heating at low operational costs. In this article, we'll explore various types of electric heaters—including halogen, oil-filled, fan, and tube heaters—comparing their energy consumption, performance, and unique features.

How can I save my electric bill with a heater?

Adjust Your Thermostat

According to the DOE, reducing the thermostat setting by 7-10 degrees for 8 hours every day can reduce your average heating bill by up to 10%. Drop the temperature as low as you can without impacting pets and plants; this could be anywhere from 60 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

What increases the electric bill the most?

What Causes High Electric Bills?
  1. Change in Seasons and Weather. ...
  2. Changes in the Cost of Fuel Used for Power Generation. ...
  3. Current Events Impacting Costs. ...
  4. Inadequate Insulation or Air Leaks. ...
  5. Overdue HVAC Maintenance. ...
  6. Using Energy During Peak Times. ...
  7. Leaving Fans and Lights On. ...
  8. Greater Use of Home & Devices.

Previous article
How to tell if a well pump check valve is bad?
Next article
How many decibels is a Rheem furnace?