Space heaters are used for additional warmth in buildings without insulation or central heating. Their mobility and targeted heating make them excellent for warming particular rooms without heating a house.
Evaluation of space heater efficiency and cost-effectiveness requires understanding their power use. If used often, most space heaters utilize 1,500 watts, which is a lot. Running a space heater for eight hours a day may drive up monthly power expenditures to $51.65. Local power pricing and use frequency might increase this expense.
In the blog, we will explain how much power space heaters use, their prices, and how to maximize efficiency and reduce expenditures. By considering these aspects, we want to clarify whether space heaters are a financially feasible heating solution.
Different Types of Space Heaters
1) Convection Heaters
Room air is heated using convection heaters. After heating chilly air over a heating element, they circulate heated air back into the area. Baseboard heaters and oil-filled radiators use this heater to gently heat a space.
2. Radiant Heaters
Infrared heaters, often known as radiant heaters, directly heat things and people. Radiant heaters are great for targeted heating in smaller spaces because they heat immediately, unlike convection heaters.
3. Electric Fan Heaters
Portable electric fan heaters pump hot air into the space. They heat quickly, making them ideal for tiny rooms or emergencies. These heaters are lightweight and portable.
4. Oil-Filled Radiators
Oil-filled radiators are convection heaters that utilize oil as heat reserve. They heat up slowly yet stay warm after being switched off. These heaters are recognized for their constant heat.
5. Ceramic Heaters
Ceramic heaters utilize ceramic plates to create heat and have fans to disperse warm air. Compact and effective, they are ideal for small-area personal heating. Their design heats quickly and is portable.
6. Pellet and wood stoves
Traditional wood and pellet stoves heat with wood or pellets. They generate a comfortable atmosphere and are ecologically favorable compared to fossil fuel heaters. Regular fuel and maintenance are needed for these stoves.
7.Pool Heater
Pool heaters keep your swimming pool at a comfortable temperature year-round. Options include gas, electric, and solar heaters, each offering different benefits. Gas heaters provide quick heating, while electric heaters offer consistent warmth. Solar heaters are an eco-friendly choice, using the sun’s energy to warm the water.
How Many Watts Does a Space Heater Use?
The power number tells you how much electricity a space heater uses. Most space heaters in homes have a power rating of between 750 and 1500 watts. Important things to know about space heater wattage:
- A lot of home space heaters have a grade of 1,500 watts.
- Some types have lower power (750W or less) and use less electricity.
- More powerful types with 2,000W or more watts are not as popular for home use.
- Most heaters have the power written on the back or in the owner’s instructions.
To find out how much power was used, just increase the watts by the number of hours. It’s easy to see that a 1,500-watt space heater used for five hours would use 7.5 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity (1.5 kW x 5 hours).
How Much Electricity Do Different Types of Space Heaters Use?
Space heaters come in a few main types, and each has its usual wattage range:
Convection Space Heaters
- The type most people use at home
- 1,500 watts most of the time
- Warm up the room by heating the air.
Infrared Space Heaters
- Send heat straight to people and things
- From 600 to 1500 watts.
- It often uses less energy than airflow.
Ceramic Space Heaters
- Ceramic heaters with 750 to 1,500 watts of power are recommended.
- Provide quick and effective heating
Coil Space Heaters
- Use metal wires that are out in the open to make heat.
- 750 or 1500 watts most of the time
- Could start a fire if not used right.
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Space Heater?
A space heater’s running costs depend on its power, how long it is used, and how much electricity you use. Here are a few examples:
1,500-watt space heater used 5 hours per day
- 7.5 kWh of electricity is used every day, which is 1.5 kW times 5 hours.
- At $0.10/kWh, it costs 75 cents per day (7.5 kWh times $0.10).
- It costs $22.50 a month, which is 75 cents times 30 days.
750 watt space heater used 8 hours per day
- 6 kWh of electricity is used every day, which is 0.75 kW times 8 hours.
- At $0.15/kWh, the cost per day is 90 cents (6 kWh x $0.15).
- $27 a month, or 90 cents x 30 days
Most places in the U.S. charge about 16 cents per kWh for energy. However, rates are very different depending on the state and the provider. If you use a space heater a lot, it can cost more than central heating to heat your home. But if you use it right to heat only the room you’re in, a space heater can be a cheap choice.
Tips for Reducing Space Heater Electricity Use
These tips will help you get the most out of your space heater:
- Heat the room with the fewest watts possible.
- Turn the temperature down to the lowest setting that feels good.
- Set a controlled timer to make temperature changes happen on their own.
- To keep the heat in, insulate and close any drafts in the room.
- When no one is in the room, turn off the heater.
- Keep things that can catch fire at least 3 feet away from the heater.
- Switch off the heater when not in use.
By following these best practices, you can keep the cost and amount of electricity used by your space heater to a minimum.
Space Heater Safety Considerations
Space heaters are a handy way to heat a room, but they can be dangerous if they are not used correctly.
For safe space heater use:
- Keep things that can catch fire at least 3 feet away from the heater.
- Keep a space heater away from children and never leave it on overnight.
- Don’t use an extension cord to plug the heater into the wall.
- Make sure the heater has a safety switch in case it falls over.
- Pets and kids should not touch the hot areas.
- Switch off the heater when not in use.
When using a space heater, these safety tips and common sense can help keep you from getting hurt or starting a fire. You should also pick a heater that fits the room well and has safety marks like UL or ETL accreditation.
Conclusion
It can be easy and cheap to heat a room with a space heater but it’s important to know how much electricity they use and how to use it safely and effectively. The most common size for a space heater is 1,500 watts, but 750 watts or less are also popular. Based on the power, the number of hours used, and the electricity rate, a 1,500-watt heater can cost anywhere from 75 cents to $1.50 per day to run.
Use the smallest power possible, protect the room, and turn off the heater when not in use to get the most out of it. But remember to always be safe, because space heaters can start fires if they are not used right. A space heater can be a great extra way to heat your home as long as you use it properly and follow safety rules.
While you’re looking for a new space heater, be sure to look at our selection of high-quality, eco-friendly makes. Get a Quote to find the best heater for your needs.