Running a 1,500-watt space heater 8 hours a day in Michigan costs about $79.32 a month — $0.33 an hour on full power at Michigan's average 21.73¢/kWh.
At 21.73¢/kWh — Michigan average, Jan–Aug 2026 (EIA). That is 19% above the U.S. average of 18.19¢.
| Period | kWh | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour of use | 1.5 | $0.33 |
| Per day | 12 | $2.61 |
| Per month | 365 | $79.32 |
| Per season (8 mo) | 2,920 | $635 |
Normal mean temperature (NOAA, population-weighted). Highlighted months average below 60°F.
| Heat source | $ per million Btu | This much heat |
|---|---|---|
| Gas furnace, 95% AFUE | $11.09 | $13.82 |
| Gas furnace, 80% AFUE | $13.18 | $16.41 |
| Heat pump (ENERGY STAR avg) | $25.75 | $32.07 |
| Propane furnace, 95% AFUE | $28.02 | $34.89 |
| Oil furnace, 80% AFUE | $52.42 | $65.29 |
| Space heater / baseboard | $63.69 | $79.32 |
In Michigan resistance heat costs 5.7× 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 $32.07 a month.
| Heater | Per hour | 8 h/day, month | 24 h/day, month | Season (8 mo, 8 h) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 750 W | $0.16 | $39.66 | $118.98 | $317 |
| 900 W | $0.20 | $47.59 | $142.78 | $381 |
| 1,500 W | $0.33 | $79.32 | $237.97 | $635 |
1.5 kW × 8 h = 12 kWh a day; × 30.42 days = 365 kWh a month; × 21.73¢ (Michigan average, Jan–Aug 2026, EIA) = $79.32.
Because resistance heat costs 5.7× as much as gas heat in Michigan, 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 Michigan home used 634 kWh a month in 2025 (EIA); this heater adds 58% to that while it runs.
The full method, material data and tips are on the main space heater cost calculator page.