Running a 1,500-watt space heater 8 hours a day in New Mexico costs about $56.00 a month — $0.23 an hour on full power at New Mexico's average 15.34¢/kWh.
At 15.34¢/kWh — New Mexico average, Jan–Aug 2026 (EIA). That is 16% below the U.S. average of 18.19¢.
| Period | kWh | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour of use | 1.5 | $0.23 |
| Per day | 12 | $1.84 |
| Per month | 365 | $56.00 |
| Per season (7 mo) | 2,555 | $392 |
Normal mean temperature (NOAA, population-weighted). Highlighted months average below 60°F.
| Heat source | $ per million Btu | This much heat |
|---|---|---|
| Gas furnace, 95% AFUE | $9.99 | $12.44 |
| Gas furnace, 80% AFUE | $11.86 | $14.77 |
| Heat pump (ENERGY STAR avg) | $18.18 | $22.64 |
| Space heater / baseboard | $44.96 | $56.00 |
In New Mexico resistance heat costs 4.5× 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 $22.64 a month.
| Heater | Per hour | 8 h/day, month | 24 h/day, month | Season (7 mo, 8 h) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 750 W | $0.12 | $28.00 | $84.00 | $196 |
| 900 W | $0.14 | $33.60 | $100.79 | $235 |
| 1,500 W | $0.23 | $56.00 | $167.99 | $392 |
1.5 kW × 8 h = 12 kWh a day; × 30.42 days = 365 kWh a month; × 15.34¢ (New Mexico average, Jan–Aug 2026, EIA) = $56.00.
Because resistance heat costs 4.5× as much as gas heat in New Mexico, 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 Mexico home used 654 kWh a month in 2025 (EIA); this heater adds 56% to that while it runs.
The full method, material data and tips are on the main space heater cost calculator page.