Running a 1,500-watt space heater 8 hours a day in Pennsylvania costs about $77.13 a month — $0.32 an hour on full power at Pennsylvania's average 21.13¢/kWh.
At 21.13¢/kWh — Pennsylvania average, Jan–Aug 2026 (EIA). That is 16% above the U.S. average of 18.19¢.
| Period | kWh | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour of use | 1.5 | $0.32 |
| Per day | 12 | $2.54 |
| Per month | 365 | $77.13 |
| Per season (8 mo) | 2,920 | $617 |
Normal mean temperature (NOAA, population-weighted). Highlighted months average below 60°F.
| Heat source | $ per million Btu | This much heat |
|---|---|---|
| Gas furnace, 95% AFUE | $15.28 | $19.04 |
| Gas furnace, 80% AFUE | $18.15 | $22.61 |
| Heat pump (ENERGY STAR avg) | $25.04 | $31.18 |
| Propane furnace, 95% AFUE | $36.41 | $45.35 |
| Oil furnace, 80% AFUE | $54.75 | $68.19 |
| Space heater / baseboard | $61.93 | $77.13 |
In Pennsylvania resistance heat costs 4.1× 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 $31.18 a month.
| Heater | Per hour | 8 h/day, month | 24 h/day, month | Season (8 mo, 8 h) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 750 W | $0.16 | $38.57 | $115.70 | $309 |
| 900 W | $0.19 | $46.28 | $138.84 | $370 |
| 1,500 W | $0.32 | $77.13 | $231.40 | $617 |
1.5 kW × 8 h = 12 kWh a day; × 30.42 days = 365 kWh a month; × 21.13¢ (Pennsylvania average, Jan–Aug 2026, EIA) = $77.13.
Because resistance heat costs 4.1× as much as gas heat in Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania home used 842 kWh a month in 2025 (EIA); this heater adds 43% to that while it runs.
The full method, material data and tips are on the main space heater cost calculator page.