Introduction – 1500W Space Heater
[Update 1/14/2024: we updated electricity rates all across the world to get the 2024 figure.]
For this article we will calculate how much it costs to run a 1500W space heater. You may skip to the answer below – just find your country and look at the cost per day, week and month. First, why 1500W? Well, W stands for “watts” which is a unit of power, which means the amount of energy consumed per unit time.
By itself the 1500W rating doesn’t give the energy, it gives you a rate of energy consumption. Second, the maximum load of a typical circuit in a house is usually around 15 amps, or 1800 watts. 1500 watts is a common rating for a space heater because it is a safe wattage to use in common household outlets. It provides enough heat to quickly and effectively warm a room, but is not so powerful that it would risk overloading a circuit.
Ok, so that’s why we use 1500W heaters! 1500W is also 1.5kW (kilowatts) by the way. That’s the metric system for power.
Staying warm through cold weather can be a difficult for many people. A space heater is an ok solution for providing extra warmth when it’s needed. They’re relatively inexpensive and easy to purchase, and you can use them both indoors and outdoors. Space heaters vary in size, type, fuel source, and features. So, how much does it cost to run a space heater 1500W? We’ll calculate below.
Estimates Of Cost To Run A Space Heater 1500W
Without any details, here is the cost in energy and money for running a 1500W space heater for different amounts of time. We give values for different countries because the cost of electricity varies widely now. Even within the US which has an average of $0.17 per kWh, the rates range from $0.12 per kWh to over $0.42 per kWh between states, which is a 3-fold difference.
| Country | Rate | Cost 8 hr day | Cost week | Cost month |
| US | $0.17 | $2.04 | $14.28 | $61.20 |
| UK | $0.37 | $4.44 | $31.08 | $133.20 |
| Netherlands | $0.52 | $6.24 | $43.68 | $187.20 |
| Japan | $0.22 | $2.64 | $18.48 | $79.20 |
| India | $0.08 | $0.94 | $6.55 | $28.08 |
| Germany | $0.44 | $5.27 | $36.86 | $157.97 |
| France | $0.75 | $8.97 | $62.82 | $269.24 |
| China | $0.13 | $1.56 | $10.92 | $46.80 |
| Chile | $0.17 | $1.98 | $13.86 | $59.40 |
| Brazil | $0.16 | $1.92 | $13.44 | $57.58 |
| Australia | $0.24 | $2.84 | $19.91 | $85.32 |
Something to note is that there are places that have very cheap (and carbon intensive) electricity like India where its very cheap to run the space heater continuously. That might make sense in the colder parts of the country. There are also places that have high electricity costs like Germany. The difference in running costs is surprisingly high, on the order of 6-7 fold between most expensive and cheapest!
How Much Does It Cost To Run A Space Heater 1500W For A Day, Week, Or Month?
In order to calculate these figures, we show you the data sources and the principles of reasoning.
Many people want to know how much it costs to run a 1500W space heater for various lengths of time. It is important to remember that the cost of running the space heater depends on how much electricity the heater uses (the length of time that it’s turned on) and how much a kilowatt-hour (kWh) costs from your energy supplier (the cost of electricity).
Let’s assume that you use your heater 8 hours a day. This is a good round number for the duration of an extended day activity like the following: next to your desk for your work-from-home set up, next to your bed while you sleep, next to people sitting in the living room for an evening etc. Then we can calculate
In the US, electricity rates range from $0.10 / kWh (many states) to $0.30 / kWh (Hawaii). The average is on the low end of the range, $0.14 / kWh. In the UK, electricity rates are now £0.34 / kWh, considerably more expensive! In Australia, $0.21 / kWh. We’ll create a table below. For now we’ll use the average US rate of $0.14 / kWh.
Let’s go through one example. If you were running a 1500W space heater for 8 hours a day, it would consume 12 kWh/day multiplied by the electricity rate $0.15 / kWh giving us an approximate total of $1.68 (USD) per day. If we scale this up and consider how much it costs over a week, the approximate cost comes in at $12. And over a month, this increases even further to between $52 (USD). This is not a small sum! Given that a normal electric bill is $100-$200, this represents 25%-50% of total electricity usage.
After working this out for multiple countries and using rates from end of 2022, we came up with the figures below.
What Factors Affect The Cost Of Running A Space Heater 1500W
The fundamental reason for why it’s so costly is because electrical heating is one of the most inefficient ways of heating. The only way for it to make sense from a carbon emissions stand point is to rely on electricity generated by renewables.
Running a space heater 1500W can be costly depending on the factors influencing its cost. First and foremost, your geographic location is important in determining cost; electricity is generally more expensive in cities compared to more rural spaces. The rate your electric company charges for power usage can also affect the cost of running a space heater 1500W.
For example, if you are part of a tiered pricing plan, your electric company may charge higher rates at peak times and lower rates at off-peak times. Furthermore, changes in your electricity consumption could impact the total cost of running the space heater. For example, if electricity consumption rises above normal levels due to prolonged use of the space heater, you could be charged extra fees or surcharges from your electric company.
Finally, energy efficiency ratings are another factor that influences the cost of running a space heater 1500W; models with high ratings usually require less energy to produce heat compared to models with lower ratings and, therefore, can save you money over time.
How Can You Save Money On The Cost Of Running A Space Heater?
To save money when running a space heater, begin with energy efficiency. Look for a heater that is EnergyStar-certified, which has maximum energy efficiency and can reduce your monthly electricity bill. Additionally, ensure that the insulation in your home is good and sufficient by preventing drafts from entering the room where the heater is located.
Also, it’s important to adjust the temperature settings to your comfort level (often around 68°F), as operating the space heater at too high of temperature settings will raise energy costs. Finally, be mindful of how long you run the space heater, as leaving it on all day can quickly increase electric bills and waste electricity.
You may find that reducing the time you run your space heater overall and using a timer also helps reduce costs significantly. Not only will regular cleaning out filters save you maintenance costs in the long run, but it will also help increase circulation and cut down on energy consumption.
Is It Cheaper To Turn Up The Heat Or Use A Space Heater?
Deciding whether to turn up the heat or use a space heater can be challenging, as both options have pros and cons. If you’re trying to reduce your heating costs, it is important to understand that turning up the heat is typically more expensive than using a space heater.
This is because turning up the central heating will warm every room in your house — even those not currently occupied — which costs more electricity or gas. On the flip side, turning up one large thermostat can save money since fan motors do not need to run constantly if the temperature remains consistent.
However, if you’re only looking to heat small areas of your home at a time, it can be more economical to use a space heater instead of running the central system full-time when nobody is in those rooms. Ultimately, it’s important to weigh all factors when deciding how best to balance comfort and cost savings when deciding whether to turn up the heat or use a space heater.
Tips For Conserving Energy When Using A Space Heater
Tips for conserving energy when using a space heater 1500W begin with locating the heater in an area that does not require additional warming and making sure that it is kept away from furniture and drapery.
Turning down the thermostat when using a space heater is also key – depending on your specific home, you may want to set your thermostat at least five degrees lower than usual. Additionally, you can prevent energy wastage by only heating the rooms occupied by people or animals and leaving the doors open to allow the warmth of one room to flow through other parts of your home.
You should also avoid leaving the heater when no one is present or overnight, as this will cause unnecessary power drain and expenditure. Lastly, install a temperature controller to maintain an ideal temperature without manually adjusting settings.
Space Heater Safety
When choosing the right space heater for your needs, safety should always be the priority. Many space heaters have an array of safety features, such as an automatic shut-off to prevent overheating or tipping.
Additionally, there are other tips to consider when using a space heater, such as keeping flammable materials away from the unit and never leaving it unattended. It’s also important to research which type of space heater best suits your environment, electric, propane, kerosene, or natural gas.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, when using a space heater in your home or business, it’s important to ensure that the area is well-ventilated and free from debris. Space heaters can produce a great deal of heat which can quickly become dangerous if proper safety precautions aren’t taken. Following these simple tips ensures that your space heater provides warmth safely and effectively for many years.
