Running a 1,500-watt space heater 8 hours a day in South Carolina costs about $58.04 a month — $0.24 an hour on full power at South Carolina's average 15.90¢/kWh.
At 15.90¢/kWh — South Carolina average, Jan–Aug 2026 (EIA). That is 13% below the U.S. average of 18.19¢.
| Period | kWh | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour of use | 1.5 | $0.24 |
| Per day | 12 | $1.91 |
| Per month | 365 | $58.04 |
| Per season (5 mo) | 1,825 | $290 |
Normal mean temperature (NOAA, population-weighted). Highlighted months average below 60°F.
| Heat source | $ per million Btu | This much heat |
|---|---|---|
| Gas furnace, 95% AFUE | $17.18 | $21.40 |
| Heat pump (ENERGY STAR avg) | $18.84 | $23.46 |
| Gas furnace, 80% AFUE | $20.40 | $25.41 |
| Space heater / baseboard | $46.60 | $58.04 |
In South Carolina resistance heat costs 2.7× 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 $23.46 a month.
| Heater | Per hour | 8 h/day, month | 24 h/day, month | Season (5 mo, 8 h) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 750 W | $0.12 | $29.02 | $87.06 | $145 |
| 900 W | $0.14 | $34.82 | $104.47 | $174 |
| 1,500 W | $0.24 | $58.04 | $174.12 | $290 |
1.5 kW × 8 h = 12 kWh a day; × 30.42 days = 365 kWh a month; × 15.90¢ (South Carolina average, Jan–Aug 2026, EIA) = $58.04.
Because resistance heat costs 2.7× as much as gas heat in South Carolina, 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 South Carolina home used 1,075 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.