Space Heater Type Cost and Comfort Comparison

Compare equal-watt cost, comfort, controls, and heat delivery

Quick Answer

Equal-watt electric resistance heaters have broadly similar point-of-use conversion of electricity to heat. At the same measured wattage and runtime, a 1,500W ceramic, oil-filled, or infrared heater has the same calculated electricity cost of $0.28/hour at $0.18/kWh. Comfort, warm-up pattern, heat distribution, thermostat controls, and intended use still differ.

Electricity rates: U.S. EIA, May 2026

WattItCost is an independent appliance energy-cost calculator project.

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Summary

Formula

Cost = (watts ÷ 1,000) × hours used × electricity rate per kWh.

Data used

Calculator results use user-entered wattage and usage hours, combined with residential electricity rates for the selected U.S. state or the rate entered from a utility bill.

Sources

EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A residential

EIA data period: May 2026EIA source release date: July 23, 2026WattItCost site update date: July 30, 2026

Limits

These estimates do not reproduce a utility bill. Actual costs depend on your tariff, taxes, appliance cycling, efficiency, and how you use the appliance.

Electricity cost by state

Browse Space Heater Type Comparison estimates for every U.S. state and the District of Columbia.

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Are infrared heaters cheaper to run?

At the same measured wattage and runtime, the calculated electricity cost is the same. Infrared changes how heat is delivered, not the electricity price per kWh.

Which heater type has the lowest electricity cost?

Electricity cost follows measured input power and runtime. Equal-watt room heaters have the same calculated input cost; lower-watt products may deliver less heat or a different service.

Do oil-filled radiators save money?

Not automatically. A 1,500W oil-filled radiator and another 1,500W resistance heater have the same calculated cost while drawing full power. Controls, room conditions, and user settings determine cycling and runtime.

Is upgrading my heater worth it?

A new heater may change comfort, controls, noise, or heat distribution, but equal-watt resistance heaters do not receive an automatic electricity-cost advantage. Compare measured energy use for the same required service.