How Much Does It Cost to Run a Infrared Heater?
A typical Infrared Heater uses 1500W and runs about 6 hours/day. At the national average rate of 16.72¢/kWh, that costs approximately $45.14/month.
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What Affects the Cost of Running a Infrared Heater
Infrared Heats Objects, Not Air
Unlike conventional heaters that warm the air in a room, infrared heaters emit radiation that directly warms objects, furniture, and people. This means you feel warm faster because the heat does not have to raise the entire room's air temperature first. In drafty rooms or spaces with high ceilings where warm air rises and escapes, infrared heaters can feel significantly more effective per watt than convective heaters because the warmth reaches you directly rather than dissipating upward.
Wattage Is Identical to Other Electric Heaters
From a pure electricity cost standpoint, a 1,500W infrared heater costs exactly the same per hour as a 1,500W ceramic heater, oil-filled radiator, or baseboard heater. All electric resistance heaters convert electricity to heat at nearly 100% efficiency. The difference is in how the heat is delivered, not how much electricity is consumed. Claims that infrared heaters "use less energy" are misleading if both units are rated at the same wattage.
Infrared Heater vs. Alternatives
How the monthly cost of a Infrared Heater compares to other options:
| Alternative | Est. Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Infrared Heater (this page) | $45.14 | At national average rate, 6hrs/day |
| Ceramic space heater | ~$36-60 | Same wattage cost. Ceramic heats air; infrared heats objects. Ceramic is better for enclosed rooms. |
| Oil-filled radiator | ~$36-60 | Same wattage cost. Oil-filled retains heat after turning off, good for bedrooms overnight. |
| Electric fireplace | ~$24-45 | Often lower wattage settings available. Adds ambiance but similar heating cost per watt. |
| Heat pump (mini-split) | ~$15-30 | 2-3x more efficient. Worth the investment if you need daily heating for an entire season. |
Infrared Heater Cost by State
What a Infrared Heater costs to run at 1500W for 6 hours/day in every state:
| State | Rate | Monthly Cost | Yearly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 14.82¢ | $40.01 | $480.17 |
| Alaska | 25.34¢ | $68.42 | $821.02 |
| Arizona | 13.81¢ | $37.29 | $447.44 |
| Arkansas | 12.63¢ | $34.1 | $409.21 |
| California | 31.41¢ | $84.81 | $1017.68 |
| Colorado | 15.24¢ | $41.15 | $493.78 |
| Connecticut | 29.35¢ | $79.24 | $950.94 |
| Delaware | 15.24¢ | $41.15 | $493.78 |
| District of Columbia | 15.87¢ | $42.85 | $514.19 |
| Florida | 15.63¢ | $42.2 | $506.41 |
| Georgia | 14.12¢ | $38.12 | $457.49 |
| Hawaii | 43.21¢ | $116.67 | $1400 |
| Idaho | 10.87¢ | $29.35 | $352.19 |
| Illinois | 16.37¢ | $44.2 | $530.39 |
| Indiana | 15.12¢ | $40.82 | $489.89 |
| Iowa | 14.23¢ | $38.42 | $461.05 |
| Kansas | 14.98¢ | $40.45 | $485.35 |
| Kentucky | 12.87¢ | $34.75 | $416.99 |
| Louisiana | 11.98¢ | $32.35 | $388.15 |
| Maine | 22.87¢ | $61.75 | $740.99 |
| Maryland | 16.12¢ | $43.52 | $522.29 |
| Massachusetts | 28.76¢ | $77.65 | $931.82 |
| Michigan | 18.76¢ | $50.65 | $607.82 |
| Minnesota | 15.34¢ | $41.42 | $497.02 |
| Mississippi | 13.76¢ | $37.15 | $445.82 |
| Missouri | 13.12¢ | $35.42 | $425.09 |
| Montana | 12.45¢ | $33.62 | $403.38 |
| Nebraska | 11.98¢ | $32.35 | $388.15 |
| Nevada | 15.03¢ | $40.58 | $486.97 |
| New Hampshire | 25.34¢ | $68.42 | $821.02 |
| New Jersey | 18.76¢ | $50.65 | $607.82 |
| New Mexico | 14.87¢ | $40.15 | $481.79 |
| New York | 22.87¢ | $61.75 | $740.99 |
| North Carolina | 13.98¢ | $37.75 | $452.95 |
| North Dakota | 11.87¢ | $32.05 | $384.59 |
| Ohio | 15.34¢ | $41.42 | $497.02 |
| Oklahoma | 11.98¢ | $32.35 | $388.15 |
| Oregon | 13.12¢ | $35.42 | $425.09 |
| Pennsylvania | 16.87¢ | $45.55 | $546.59 |
| Rhode Island | 27.12¢ | $73.22 | $878.69 |
| South Carolina | 14.98¢ | $40.45 | $485.35 |
| South Dakota | 13.76¢ | $37.15 | $445.82 |
| Tennessee | 12.87¢ | $34.75 | $416.99 |
| Texas | 14.98¢ | $40.45 | $485.35 |
| Utah | 10.87¢ | $29.35 | $352.19 |
| Vermont | 21.34¢ | $57.62 | $691.42 |
| Virginia | 15.34¢ | $41.42 | $497.02 |
| Washington | 10.76¢ | $29.05 | $348.62 |
| West Virginia | 13.12¢ | $35.42 | $425.09 |
| Wisconsin | 16.98¢ | $45.85 | $550.15 |
| Wyoming | 11.23¢ | $30.32 | $363.85 |
Energy-Saving Tips for Your Infrared Heater
- Place the heater where you sit; infrared heats objects directly, not air
- Use as supplemental heat in a single room rather than whole-home heating
- Keep the reflector clean for maximum heat output
- Pair with a ceiling fan on low (clockwise) to distribute warmth
Frequently Asked Questions
Not at the same wattage. A 1,500W infrared heater uses exactly the same electricity per hour as a 1,500W ceramic or oil-filled heater. What infrared heaters do differently is deliver heat more directly to people and objects, which can make you feel warmer at a lower thermostat setting. If this allows you to run the heater for fewer hours or on a lower wattage setting, you will save electricity indirectly.
Modern infrared heaters with tip-over protection, overheat shutoff, and cool-to-touch housings are generally safe for overnight use. However, any space heater left running unattended carries some risk. If you use an infrared heater for bedroom heating, choose a model with built-in safety features and keep it at least 3 feet from bedding, curtains, and furniture. A timer that shuts it off after a few hours is an added safety measure.
A 1,500W infrared heater is typically rated for rooms up to 150-200 square feet in moderately insulated homes. Because infrared heats objects directionally rather than warming all the air in a room, it works best when you are seated in its line of sight. For larger rooms, an infrared heater will warm the area directly in front of it effectively but may not raise the overall room temperature significantly.
Related Appliances
Space Heater
1500W typical
Central Air Conditioner
3500W typical
Window Air Conditioner
1200W typical
Portable Air Conditioner
1400W typical
Ceiling Fan
75W typical
Tower Fan
100W typical
Electric Furnace
10000W typical
Electric Baseboard Heater
1500W typical
Whole House Fan
500W typical
Dehumidifier
500W typical
Humidifier
35W typical
Electricity cost estimates are based on typical wattage and average residential rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Your actual costs may vary based on your appliance's specific wattage, usage patterns, and your utility's rate structure. See our full disclaimer.