Running a 1,500-watt space heater 8 hours a day in Rhode Island costs about $106.04 a month — $0.44 an hour on full power at Rhode Island's average 29.05¢/kWh.
At 29.05¢/kWh — Rhode Island average, Jan–Aug 2026 (EIA). That is 60% above the U.S. average of 18.19¢.
| Period | kWh | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour of use | 1.5 | $0.44 |
| Per day | 12 | $3.49 |
| Per month | 365 | $106.04 |
| Per season (8 mo) | 2,920 | $848 |
Normal mean temperature (NOAA, population-weighted). Highlighted months average below 60°F.
| Heat source | $ per million Btu | This much heat |
|---|---|---|
| Gas furnace, 95% AFUE | $22.01 | $27.41 |
| Gas furnace, 80% AFUE | $26.14 | $32.55 |
| Heat pump (ENERGY STAR avg) | $34.42 | $42.87 |
| Propane furnace, 95% AFUE | $47.96 | $59.74 |
| Oil furnace, 80% AFUE | $57.58 | $71.72 |
| Space heater / baseboard | $85.14 | $106.04 |
In Rhode Island resistance heat costs 3.9× 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 $42.87 a month.
| Heater | Per hour | 8 h/day, month | 24 h/day, month | Season (8 mo, 8 h) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 750 W | $0.22 | $53.02 | $159.07 | $424 |
| 900 W | $0.26 | $63.63 | $190.88 | $509 |
| 1,500 W | $0.44 | $106.04 | $318.13 | $848 |
1.5 kW × 8 h = 12 kWh a day; × 30.42 days = 365 kWh a month; × 29.05¢ (Rhode Island average, Jan–Aug 2026, EIA) = $106.04.
Because resistance heat costs 3.9× as much as gas heat in Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island home used 562 kWh a month in 2025 (EIA); this heater adds 65% to that while it runs.
The full method, material data and tips are on the main space heater cost calculator page.