Running a 1,500-watt space heater 8 hours a day in New York costs about $106.81 a month — $0.44 an hour on full power at New York's average 29.26¢/kWh.
At 29.26¢/kWh — New York average, Jan–Aug 2026 (EIA). That is 61% above the U.S. average of 18.19¢.
| Period | kWh | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour of use | 1.5 | $0.44 |
| Per day | 12 | $3.51 |
| Per month | 365 | $106.81 |
| Per season (8 mo) | 2,920 | $854 |
Normal mean temperature (NOAA, population-weighted). Highlighted months average below 60°F.
| Heat source | $ per million Btu | This much heat |
|---|---|---|
| Gas furnace, 95% AFUE | $17.86 | $22.25 |
| Gas furnace, 80% AFUE | $21.21 | $26.42 |
| Heat pump (ENERGY STAR avg) | $34.67 | $43.18 |
| Propane furnace, 95% AFUE | $42.90 | $53.43 |
| Oil furnace, 80% AFUE | $57.92 | $72.13 |
| Space heater / baseboard | $85.76 | $106.81 |
In New York resistance heat costs 4.8× 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 $43.18 a month.
| Heater | Per hour | 8 h/day, month | 24 h/day, month | Season (8 mo, 8 h) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 750 W | $0.22 | $53.41 | $160.22 | $427 |
| 900 W | $0.26 | $64.09 | $192.26 | $513 |
| 1,500 W | $0.44 | $106.81 | $320.43 | $854 |
1.5 kW × 8 h = 12 kWh a day; × 30.42 days = 365 kWh a month; × 29.26¢ (New York average, Jan–Aug 2026, EIA) = $106.81.
Because resistance heat costs 4.8× as much as gas heat in New York, 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 York home used 586 kWh a month in 2025 (EIA); this heater adds 62% to that while it runs.
The full method, material data and tips are on the main space heater cost calculator page.