How Many Watts Does A Space Heater Use?
Heating your home is definitely one of the most costly monthly expenses in the colder seasons. This is especially true in areas with harsh and long winters. Sometimes you might need additional heat than what your fireplace, wood stove or even electric central heating provides. In attempts to cut down on your overall energy bill in the winter, you might even lower your thermostat and use smaller space heaters instead. But you are likely wondering if this saves you money. The big question you need to ask is exactly how many watts does your space heater use?
Most standard space heaters use about 1,500 watts, which translates to 15 cents per hour on your energy bill. Some heaters use less, while others use more. It depends on the size, type, age and model of the space heater. If you are trying to use less energy, try only running your space heater in smaller rooms that are being used, rather than unoccupied larger spaces.
If you have a space heater that you use regularly, you might want to start thinking about how much money it is costing you. In order to know how much a space heater costs to run, you need to know how much energy it uses. This is determined by knowing how many watts your space heater uses. Once you know how many watts it uses, you can calculate how much it costs you based on the price of electricity and the number of hours you use the heater(s) per month.
How Many Watts Does A Space Heater Use?
There is no single number to explain how many watts a space heater uses. This is because there are all sorts of space heaters on the market. There are large industrial space heaters, tiny battery-operated heaters, energy-efficient heaters and everything in between.
Still, there are some standards and averages when it comes to the number of watts a space heater uses. On average, a space heater uses 1,500 watts and 1,500 watts works out to an average of 15 cents per hour on your energy bill. This also means that to run one of these heaters, you should use at least a 100-volt outlet. In most cases, homes have outlets of 110 volts and higher.
If your space heater has settings, you can expect that the lowest setting will use less energy (about half, or an average of 750 watts). The higher the heat setting and strength, the more watts the space heater will use.
Factors Impacting How Many Watts Your Space Heater Uses
In order to get a better understanding of how much energy your space heater uses, consider the variables involved. We have listed the main variables below. You can also consider consulting the company to see how many watts your machine uses (if it is not on the machine itself).
Heater Size
The heater size generally impacts how many watts the machine uses. In general, small machines use more energy than larger machines. This is especially true when it comes to small machines designed for minimal output, versus large machines designed to heat larger rooms.
The Type Of Space Heater
There are several types of space heaters. Not all types use the same amount of energy. After all, they are using different mechanisms and technology. There are ceramic heaters, radiant heaters, convection heaters and your traditional electric heater. The type of heater can impact the number of watts it uses.
Make, Model And Year
The make, model and year can also impact how many watts your space heater uses. In general, space heaters and technology in general used more watts in older models. Many newer models are more energy efficient. You can even find specifically energy-efficient brands and lines of space heaters. So, the wattage might vary depending on the brand and when it was made.
Control Settings On The Heater
If you have a heater with multiple settings, its wattage will vary. If, for example, you use a heater on its lowest settings, it uses less energy than when it is at full blast. Other space heaters are not as advanced, and essentially just have on and off capabilities.
How Much Does It Cost To Run A Space Heater Per Day?
Now that you know how many watts a space heater uses and how different variables influence this wattage, you likely want to know what it is costing you. The best way to understand the financial impact of running your space heater is to use some averages.
The average space heater uses 1,500 watts. This, on average, equates to about 15 cents per hour. This means if you run your space heater for an average of 8 hours a day, it will cost you $1.20 a day, and between $30 and $40 per month. This can really add up, especially if you have longer winters. But luckily there are ways to cut this amount down and help you save.
Ways To Lower The Daily Wattage Your Space Heater Uses
If you are trying to cut down on your electricity bill, you might want to try using less wattage when it comes to your space heater. Luckily, there are several ways to decrease the amount of energy your space heater uses per day. This, in turn, should help you save a bit in the expensive and frigid winter months.
Use A Lower Wattage Heater
If you use a space heater by a desk or bed to increase the temperature in an immediate sense, consider a smaller one. You can find compact space heaters that are energy efficient but still get the job done. Look for the energy-efficient seal, and do your research. What costs more at first can save you in the long run.
Turn Off Space Heater Once Your Room Heats Up
One big mistake people make is assuming a space heater will shut off automatically, like regular heat. Some space heaters have thermometer controls, but others don’t. Even the space heaters that do monitor heat and shut off automatically are not always reliable. Try using a timer, so the heater is not always on.
Use Space Heater In Smaller Spaces
Less is more, especially when it comes to heating a room. Larger rooms have more space and air. This means they take more time and energy to heat, and also to maintain that heat. So, consider using a smaller room for a space heater to get you nice and toasty. When you heat a larger room it takes more time and energy.
Only Heat The Spaces You Need
Remember to close doors and turn off space heaters in areas that are not in immediate use. Space heaters are great for quickly increasing the temperature in a room, but costly to heat large spaces and maintain the high temperature.
Wrapping Up How Many Watts A Space Heater Uses
The average space heater uses about 1,500 watts (or 1.5 kWh). The exact wattage depends on several factors. The size, type, age and model of the space heater can certainly impact how many watts it uses. There are also space heaters that use several modes. Some modes use more energy than others. But in general, a space heater using 1,500 watts will cost you between $30 and $40 a month if you run it for 8 hours a day.
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Tom Gaffey is an expert writer who currently resides in Washington D.C. Tom has a passion for real estate and home improvement writing, as well as travel and lifestyle writing. He lived the last twelve years in Hawaii where he worked closely with luxury resorts and event planners, mastering his knowledge of aesthetics and luxury products. This is where he found his passion for home improvement and a keen interest in DIY projects. Currently, Tom resides in Washington D.C, and also working on his debut fiction novel.
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