Running a 1,500-watt space heater 8 hours a day in New Hampshire costs about $98.23 a month — $0.40 an hour on full power at New Hampshire's average 26.91¢/kWh.
At 26.91¢/kWh — New Hampshire average, Jan–Aug 2026 (EIA). That is 48% above the U.S. average of 18.19¢.
| Period | kWh | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour of use | 1.5 | $0.40 |
| Per day | 12 | $3.23 |
| Per month | 365 | $98.23 |
| Per season (9 mo) | 3,285 | $884 |
Normal mean temperature (NOAA, population-weighted). Highlighted months average below 60°F.
| Heat source | $ per million Btu | This much heat |
|---|---|---|
| Gas furnace, 95% AFUE | $18.91 | $23.55 |
| Gas furnace, 80% AFUE | $22.45 | $27.96 |
| Heat pump (ENERGY STAR avg) | $31.88 | $39.71 |
| Propane furnace, 95% AFUE | $44.23 | $55.09 |
| Oil furnace, 80% AFUE | $54.45 | $67.82 |
| Space heater / baseboard | $78.87 | $98.23 |
In New Hampshire resistance heat costs 4.2× 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 $39.71 a month.
| Heater | Per hour | 8 h/day, month | 24 h/day, month | Season (9 mo, 8 h) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 750 W | $0.20 | $49.12 | $147.35 | $442 |
| 900 W | $0.24 | $58.94 | $176.82 | $530 |
| 1,500 W | $0.40 | $98.23 | $294.70 | $884 |
1.5 kW × 8 h = 12 kWh a day; × 30.42 days = 365 kWh a month; × 26.91¢ (New Hampshire average, Jan–Aug 2026, EIA) = $98.23.
Because resistance heat costs 4.2× as much as gas heat in New Hampshire, 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 New Hampshire home used 639 kWh a month in 2025 (EIA); this heater adds 57% to that while it runs.
The full method, material data and tips are on the main space heater cost calculator page.