Space Heater vs Central Heating: Which Costs Less?
Which heating method costs less?
Quick Answer
For heating one or two rooms, a space heater is almost always cheaper than running central heating for the whole house. A single 1,500W space heater costs about $34.20/month at 4 hours daily, while the average gas furnace runs $80–$120/month in winter. The break-even point is typically 3 rooms.
Citation-ready summary
Summary
For heating one or two rooms, a space heater is almost always cheaper than running central heating for the whole house. A single 1,500W space heater costs about $34.20/month at 4 hours daily, while the average gas furnace runs $80–$120/month in winter. The break-even point is typically 3 rooms.
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.