Running a 1,500-watt space heater 8 hours a day in North Dakota costs about $45.48 a month — $0.19 an hour on full power at North Dakota's average 12.46¢/kWh.
At 12.46¢/kWh — North Dakota average, Jan–Aug 2026 (EIA). That is 32% below the U.S. average of 18.19¢.
| Period | kWh | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour of use | 1.5 | $0.19 |
| Per day | 12 | $1.50 |
| Per month | 365 | $45.48 |
| Per season (9 mo) | 3,285 | $409 |
Normal mean temperature (NOAA, population-weighted). Highlighted months average below 60°F.
| Heat source | $ per million Btu | This much heat |
|---|---|---|
| Gas furnace, 95% AFUE | $9.65 | $12.02 |
| Gas furnace, 80% AFUE | $11.46 | $14.28 |
| Heat pump (ENERGY STAR avg) | $14.76 | $18.39 |
| Propane furnace, 95% AFUE | $19.00 | $23.67 |
| Space heater / baseboard | $36.52 | $45.48 |
In North Dakota resistance heat costs 3.8× 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 $18.39 a month.
| Heater | Per hour | 8 h/day, month | 24 h/day, month | Season (9 mo, 8 h) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 750 W | $0.09 | $22.74 | $68.23 | $205 |
| 900 W | $0.11 | $27.29 | $81.87 | $246 |
| 1,500 W | $0.19 | $45.48 | $136.45 | $409 |
1.5 kW × 8 h = 12 kWh a day; × 30.42 days = 365 kWh a month; × 12.46¢ (North Dakota average, Jan–Aug 2026, EIA) = $45.48.
Because resistance heat costs 3.8× as much as gas heat in North Dakota, 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 North Dakota home used 1,073 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.