Running a 1,500-watt space heater 8 hours a day in California costs about $118.93 a month — $0.49 an hour on full power at California's average 32.58¢/kWh.
At 32.58¢/kWh — California average, Jan–Aug 2026 (EIA). That is 79% above the U.S. average of 18.19¢.
| Period | kWh | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour of use | 1.5 | $0.49 |
| Per day | 12 | $3.91 |
| Per month | 365 | $118.93 |
| Per season (6 mo) | 2,190 | $714 |
Normal mean temperature (NOAA, population-weighted). Highlighted months average below 60°F.
| Heat source | $ per million Btu | This much heat |
|---|---|---|
| Gas furnace, 95% AFUE | $22.37 | $27.86 |
| Gas furnace, 80% AFUE | $26.56 | $33.08 |
| Heat pump (ENERGY STAR avg) | $38.60 | $48.08 |
| Space heater / baseboard | $95.49 | $118.93 |
In California resistance heat costs 4.3× as much as gas heat from a 95% furnace. A space heater only saves money when it lets you turn the whole-house thermostat down several degrees and heat just the room you're in. A heat pump delivers the same heat for about $48.08 a month.
| Heater | Per hour | 8 h/day, month | 24 h/day, month | Season (6 mo, 8 h) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 750 W | $0.24 | $59.47 | $178.40 | $357 |
| 900 W | $0.29 | $71.36 | $214.07 | $428 |
| 1,500 W | $0.49 | $118.93 | $356.79 | $714 |
1.5 kW × 8 h = 12 kWh a day; × 30.42 days = 365 kWh a month; × 32.58¢ (California average, Jan–Aug 2026, EIA) = $118.93.
Because resistance heat costs 4.3× as much as gas heat in California, a space heater saves money only if it lets you turn the whole-house thermostat down and heat just the room you're in. If your home heats with electric baseboards or furnace strips, a space heater costs the same per Btu — the saving comes only from heating fewer rooms.
The average California home used 480 kWh a month in 2025 (EIA); this heater adds 76% to that while it runs.
The full method, material data and tips are on the main space heater cost calculator page.