Running a 1,500-watt space heater 8 hours a day in Missouri costs about $52.13 a month — $0.21 an hour on full power at Missouri's average 14.28¢/kWh.
At 14.28¢/kWh — Missouri average, Jan–Aug 2026 (EIA). That is 21% below the U.S. average of 18.19¢.
| Period | kWh | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour of use | 1.5 | $0.21 |
| Per day | 12 | $1.71 |
| Per month | 365 | $52.13 |
| Per season (7 mo) | 2,555 | $365 |
Normal mean temperature (NOAA, population-weighted). Highlighted months average below 60°F.
| Heat source | $ per million Btu | This much heat |
|---|---|---|
| Gas furnace, 95% AFUE | $15.18 | $18.91 |
| Heat pump (ENERGY STAR avg) | $16.92 | $21.07 |
| Gas furnace, 80% AFUE | $18.03 | $22.45 |
| Propane furnace, 95% AFUE | $25.10 | $31.27 |
| Space heater / baseboard | $41.85 | $52.13 |
In Missouri resistance heat costs 2.8× 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 $21.07 a month.
| Heater | Per hour | 8 h/day, month | 24 h/day, month | Season (7 mo, 8 h) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 750 W | $0.11 | $26.06 | $78.19 | $182 |
| 900 W | $0.13 | $31.28 | $93.83 | $219 |
| 1,500 W | $0.21 | $52.13 | $156.38 | $365 |
1.5 kW × 8 h = 12 kWh a day; × 30.42 days = 365 kWh a month; × 14.28¢ (Missouri average, Jan–Aug 2026, EIA) = $52.13.
Because resistance heat costs 2.8× as much as gas heat in Missouri, 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 Missouri home used 1,063 kWh a month in 2025 (EIA); this heater adds 34% to that while it runs.
The full method, material data and tips are on the main space heater cost calculator page.