Relocating from icy Minnesota to warm Texas sparked visions of extended outdoor enjoyment—hopefully beyond just four months annually. Thus, I transformed the garage into a home office. It features both a mosquito net and a home theater system. My partner and I often retreat there even when temperatures drop below 50°F. How do we manage this?
space heater
.
Space heaters send heat directly toward the user, making them an effective choice for enhancing warmth.
chilly room
Or an inadequate heating system. However, last year’s “bomb cyclone” during Christmas 2022 demonstrated that a space heater has its limits. We relocated indoors.
Do you own a space heater? Are you aware of the cost associated with running it? Keep reading to discover your space heater’s energy consumption.
What Is the Power Consumption of a Space Heater in Watts?
Home-use electric space heaters typically have a maximum power rating of 1,500 watts, as stated by Ace Hardware in collaboration with Lasko, which produces home comfort items. (Operating your heater on a lower setting can help reduce energy consumption.)
What Is the Amount of Electricity Consumed by a Space Heater?
A 1,500-watt electric space heater consumes 12.5 amps of current at 120 volts. (Power equals amperage times voltage.) However, how does this impact your energy costs?
The utility does not bill you based on electricity in amps. Instead, they charge you for the power used, which is calculated in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
To determine the energy consumption of a space heater in kilowatt-hours and thus calculate its operating cost, multiply the wattage rating of the space heater by the number of hours used each day. Next, divide this result by 1,000 to convert it into kWh.
Let’s say you have a home office in your garage like I do, and you use your 1,500-watt space heater eight hours per day. So 1,500 watts x 8 hours per day / 1000 = 12 kWh. As of November 2022, the average cost of electricity in the U.S. was $0.163 per kilowatt-hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. So 12kWh x $0.163 = $1.96 per day.
Bottom line: Your 1,500-watt space heater running eight hours per day will cost you about two dollars per day to operate, depending on your electricity rate.
Does Using Space Heaters Consume A Large Amount Of Electricity?
It varies based on your perspective.
Heat generators such as dryers, resistive units
infrared
Space heaters and furnaces typically consume more power compared to electronics such as computers. Since we have learned how to determine the expense associated with running your space heater, let’s contrast these figures with the costs of other gadgets and appliances in your household.
Television
Look at the rear side of your television to find out its usual wattage consumption. Mine consumes around 73 watts.
average for its size
That’s right! A TV with a 73-watt consumption uses far less energy compared to an electric space heater rated at 1,500 watts.
Operating a 73-watt television for four hours daily would cost roughly five cents per day or approximately $17 annually. This estimation excludes additional expenses.
vampire energy
In contrast, using a 1,500-watt space heater for four hours each day would amount to almost $1 per day, which adds up to approximately $88 over three months of continuous use during colder weather.
Laptop computer
Laptops obtain power via their chargers and rely on the battery when they’re not connected to electricity. The amount of energy a laptop consumes changes based on its activities. Simply checking emails requires much less power compared to playing games.
A laptop with a power output of 96 watts, when charged for two hours each day, consumes approximately three cents per day, which adds up to around $11.42 annually.
Vacuum cleaner
Based on MHealthy data, a vacuum cleaner typically consumes between 1,000 to 1,440 watts; however, different models can have varying wattages (my model is rated at just 840 watts). For an accurate measurement of your particular unit’s energy consumption, check the label located on your vacuum. Calculate this by multiplying the amperage with the voltage to determine the power used in watts, followed by applying the appropriate calculation method.
A vacuum cleaner with a power rating of 1,000 watts, when operated for an hour each week, uses up one kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity. Given the typical cost of $0.163 per kWh, this would result in annual operating expenses of approximately $8.50.
Clothes dryer
The average family does
300 loads of laundry
That amounts to approximately $245 annually for a 5,000-watt clothes dryer, which makes it one of the most significant energy consumers in your house. If you were to run a 1,500-watt space heater for the equivalent of 300 hours, based on the previously mentioned typical electric rate, it would cost around $73.35.
FAQs
What steps can I take to decrease the power usage of my space heater?
You can employ two primary approaches:
-
Run the heater intermittently.
Should your heater feature a timer, program it to turn off after a certain duration, and refrain from restarting it until you genuinely require warmth again. In cases where your appliance lacks such functionality, manage this process yourself manually. -
Lower the thermostat,
If your heater includes one, many space heaters come with energy-saving (ECO) modes that let them operate at reduced power levels. Utilizing this low-power mode can decrease electricity consumption by nearly fifty percent.
In addition to these methods, reducing overall energy expenses (including not only your space heater usage but other aspects as well) can be achieved by increasing the insulation in your home.
For how many hours can I leave a space heater running without interruption?
It takes about four to six hours for most models. Continuous operation risks overheating and fire, especially if you’re sleeping or not in the same room as the heater. If your heater has been running for several hours, you should turn it off if you notice any of the following:
- strange odors;
- unusual sounds;
- fluctuations in heat output;
- frequently tripping circuit breakers.
How to Select the Top-Rated Space Heater
Regardless of whether you’re warming up a room, garage, or greenhouse, discover how to select the appropriate space heater with both safety and efficiency considerations in focus.
- Important Facts You Should Know About Space Heaters
- The Top Space Heater for Each Room
- The Safest Space Heaters
- Top Energy-Saving Space Heaters
- What Are Infrared Space Heaters and What Is Their Function?
- Best Infrared Space Heaters
- Why Extension Cords Are Not Suitable for Space Heaters
- What Is the Price of Heating a Garage?
- Best Garage Heaters
- The Mr. Heater Workshop Heater
- Best Portable Bathroom Heaters
- The Lasko Portable Space Heater Has Become an Indispensable Part of My Bathroom Setup
- Best Greenhouse Heaters for Efficient Plant Growth
Sources
-
U.S. Department of Labor Statistics
:
Mean energy costs for the U.S., various regions, census divisions, and chosen metropolitan areas;
(2024) -
Eco Cost Savings
:
TV Energy Efficiency – Top Picks for 2024 [Including Statistics]
; (2024) -
M Healthy
:
Household Appliance Electricity Consumption & Comparative Physical Activity
; (2024) -
National Park Service
:
Laundry Practices and Water Conservation
; (2021)
