Keep your home warm without spiking your electric bill
Space heaters can be a cozy cold-day lifesaver, but at what cost? Most space heaters have a maximum capacity of 1,500 watts, which is generally considered the highest wattage safe for a typical home’s electric system. While that may not seem like a lot, refrigerators only use about 300-800 watts (depending on the size and model). That means that leaving a space heater running for just a few hours a day can spike your next bill.
Read on to learn more about space heater wattage and how to reduce energy consumption with space heaters in this article.
In this article:
- Types of space heaters and their wattage
- How to measure space heater wattage
- Tips for reducing energy consumption with space heaters
- Is an electric space heater right for you?
Types of space heaters and their wattage
Generally, there are four types of electric space heaters to choose from. Each one uses energy differently and provides heat for rooms of varying sizes. If you want to save on electricity, opt for smaller models and be conscious of how long you run the space heater.
The wattage of your space heater will depend on the size of the space you need to heat. A larger space requires a higher wattage or multiple heaters to keep the room comfortable. You also need to consider the insulation of your space, as drafty places will require the space heater to work harder. If your area is poorly insulated, a higher-wattage heater will be more efficient than running a lower-wattage unit for longer.
Convection (portable) heaters
Convection heaters, also known as portable heaters, are lauded for their even heat distribution across a room. They work by pulling in cool air, heating it, and releasing it into the room in a continuous loop. They’re simple and quiet, but can take 15–30 minutes to reach your desired temperature, especially in larger spaces, and may require more wattage in a larger room.
- Typical wattage: 400-1,500 watts (most models plug into a standard 15 Amp circuit)
- Best for: Medium-sized rooms where gradual, even heat is preferred
Radiant heaters
Radiant heaters, which aesthetically resemble old-school radiators, send infrared waves directly to you and nearby objects — warming people and surfaces instantly rather than heating all the air. Because they don’t blow air, they won’t stir up dust or allergens, making them a cleaner choice for small spaces.
- Typical wattage: 1,000-1,500 watts
- Best for: Small areas or workspaces (ideal when you only need spot heating without warming the entire room)
Oil-filled heaters
An oil-filled space heater is a popular type of radiant heater that works by using electricity to heat a sealed reservoir of oil, which then circulates inside the fins or panels. The warm oil transfers heat to the heater’s surface, which radiates outward and warms the surrounding air through natural convection. This process provides steady, silent, and long-lasting heat since the oil retains warmth even after the unit cycles off. Oil heaters convert more than 99% of the electricity they use into thermal heat energy, making them highly efficient.
- Typical wattage: 600-1,500 watts
- Best for: Small rooms like bedrooms, home office and living rooms.
Fan heaters
Fan heaters, simply put, are electric heaters that operate and look like fans. They are affordable to buy, circulate hot air quickly, are highly portable, and are ideal for heating a small work area (not entire rooms). However, because the fan runs continuously, they tend to be one of the highest energy users.
- Typical Wattage: 1,500 watts
- Best for: Spot-heating very small areas like home offices, workbenches, or bedside use
Infrared heaters
Similar to radiant heaters, infrared heaters emit radiant heat that warms objects and people directly without a fan, offering immediate comfort and minimal dust circulation. Considered highly energy efficient, infrared heaters cost more upfront, but provide energy savings down the road. They’re excellent for open spaces and safer than many other electric heaters. However, they aren’t as suitable for large spaces that could require several individual heaters.
- Typical Wattage: 1,000-1,500 watts
- Best for: living rooms, patios, or workshops where you need quick, direct warmth
How to measure space heater wattage
The easiest way to know how many watts your electric space heater uses is to check the product label. You’ll often find these on the bottom or back of your heater, which shows your item’s watts or kilowatts (W or kW).
If you want to be sure that the heater uses the stated wattage, you can use an electricity usage monitor. All you have to do is plug your monitor into an outlet and then plug your heater into the meter. The monitor will then show you how much wattage is being drawn.
Comparing space heaters to other heating options
As you know by now, space heaters are typically used when the main heating system is unavailable or in addition to something like a central heating system if a room is too cold. However, they can be a less expensive option if you only want to heat one room. Whether they’re right for you depends on your heating needs.
Space heaters vs. electric central heating
If you compare heating an entire home with space heaters or central heating systems, central heating is undoubtedly more efficient. However, space heaters can be a more economical way to heat small rooms compared to electric central heating. But, it’s important not to leave them unattended due to the risk of fire, making them less than ideal for an entire home.
Space heaters vs. gas furnace
While a gas furnace is considered a central heating system, it differs greatly from an electric one in that it only requires around 400-800 watts to operate its blower (the rest of its energy comes from gas). When compared to space heaters, they’re much more energy-efficient due to their ability to distribute heat evenly throughout the home. Since natural gas is generally cheaper than electricity, a gas furnace is more cost-efficient overall as well. However, natural gas is a fossil fuel and its price is volatile, so many homeowners are now choosing to electrify their homes and use a heat pump for heat and air conditioning.
Tips for reducing energy consumption with space heaters
Using a space heater can have an impact on your electricity bill. Let’s say you use a 1,500-watt space heater for 4 hours every day to heat a small room in your house. That’s about 6 kWh per day (1.5 kW x 4 hours = 6 kWh). At $0.25 per kWh, that’s $1.50 per day, or $45 per month.
It is possible to minimize this added cost by using space heaters in an energy-efficient and cost-efficient manner. By balancing other methods of keeping a space warm, the heaters can work at their best without using too much electricity.
Efficient usage practices
Implementing these practices when using a space heater can reduce costs, lower fire risk, and keep your space warmer:
- Don’t clutter your heater; keep the space around it clear to allow the warm air to move
- Use timers to avoid running the heaters nonstop
- Clean your heaters if they accumulate dust
- Heat only occupied rooms and don’t leave the heaters on when they are unattended
Supplementary heating methods
As previously mentioned, using a space heater as supplementary heat with a central system is one way to keep your spaces warm. However, here are several non-electrical ways to keep the heat in and avoid overworking the space heater:
- Seal drafts or leaky windows to trap warm air inside
- Install insulation if there is significant heat loss through the walls
- Install curtains or blinds over your windows to prevent heat loss
- Open your blinds or curtains on sunny days to allow sunlight to naturally warm a room
Is an electric space heater right for you?
Electric space heaters are a powerful way to take the chill off a single room when matched to your space and used smartly. They can use relatively little electricity if used correctly, though they aren’t a good substitute for a central heating system when trying to warm an entire home.
Choose a heater that fits your room’s square footage, follow all safety guidelines, and stick to off-peak hours whenever possible. That way, you’ll stay warm, cut energy waste, and keep both your bills and your home safe.Want to learn more about your home’s energy usage? Read our article, How Many Watts Does It Take to Run a House, to discover the other appliances that use a lot of energy, and how to calculate your home’s power requirements.
