Running a 1,500-watt space heater 8 hours a day in New Jersey costs about $87.94 a month — $0.36 an hour on full power at New Jersey's average 24.09¢/kWh.
At 24.09¢/kWh — New Jersey average, Jan–Aug 2026 (EIA). That is 32% above the U.S. average of 18.19¢.
| Period | kWh | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour of use | 1.5 | $0.36 |
| Per day | 12 | $2.89 |
| Per month | 365 | $87.94 |
| Per season (7 mo) | 2,555 | $616 |
Normal mean temperature (NOAA, population-weighted). Highlighted months average below 60°F.
| Heat source | $ per million Btu | This much heat |
|---|---|---|
| Gas furnace, 95% AFUE | $14.44 | $17.99 |
| Gas furnace, 80% AFUE | $17.15 | $21.36 |
| Heat pump (ENERGY STAR avg) | $28.54 | $35.55 |
| Propane furnace, 95% AFUE | $46.90 | $58.42 |
| Oil furnace, 80% AFUE | $57.60 | $71.74 |
| Space heater / baseboard | $70.60 | $87.94 |
In New Jersey resistance heat costs 4.9× 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 $35.55 a month.
| Heater | Per hour | 8 h/day, month | 24 h/day, month | Season (7 mo, 8 h) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 750 W | $0.18 | $43.97 | $131.91 | $308 |
| 900 W | $0.22 | $52.76 | $158.29 | $369 |
| 1,500 W | $0.36 | $87.94 | $263.81 | $616 |
1.5 kW × 8 h = 12 kWh a day; × 30.42 days = 365 kWh a month; × 24.09¢ (New Jersey average, Jan–Aug 2026, EIA) = $87.94.
Because resistance heat costs 4.9× as much as gas heat in New Jersey, 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 Jersey home used 664 kWh a month in 2025 (EIA); this heater adds 55% to that while it runs.
The full method, material data and tips are on the main space heater cost calculator page.