Cheapest Type of Space Heater to Run
Ceramic vs oil-filled vs infrared costs
Quick Answer
All electric resistance heaters at the same wattage cost exactly the same — a 1,500W ceramic and 1,500W oil-filled both cost $0.29/hour at $0.19/kWh. The real savings come from lower wattage. An electric blanket at 200W costs $0.04/hour — 87% less.
Citation-ready summary
Summary
All electric resistance heaters at the same wattage cost exactly the same — a 1,500W ceramic and 1,500W oil-filled both cost $0.29/hour at $0.19/kWh. The real savings come from lower wattage. An electric blanket at 200W costs $0.04/hour — 87% less.
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 from the selected country or state.
Sources
Limits
These are estimates, not exact utility bills. Actual costs depend on your tariff, taxes, appliance cycling, efficiency, and how you use the appliance.