Yes, a space heater can save you money, but only in the right situation. If you’re heating one room instead of the whole house, it may be cheaper than cranking up your central heat all day.
*This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
That said, the savings depend on a few things, like what kind of heating system you already have, how much electricity your space heater uses, and how long you keep it running. A space heater can be a smart little budget helper on a cold morning or in a drafty bedroom, but it can also drive your bill up fast if you lean on it too much.
So before you plug one in and hope for the best, it helps to know when a space heater actually makes sense and when it’s just going to eat up more power.
When a space heater can save you money
Space heaters are most useful when you want to warm the room you’re actually using instead of paying to heat empty spaces. That’s why they can be a smart choice in bedrooms, home offices, and other small areas. If your furnace is heating a whole house but you’re only spending time in one or two rooms, a space heater may help cut back on your overall heating costs. It also helps to understand diy baby shower ideas budget baby bash.
This is especially true when the temperature dips below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 degrees Celsius) and you just need a little extra warmth in one spot. In that situation, you can often keep the central heat set lower and let the space heater do the work in the room you’re in.
When it costs more instead
A space heater usually costs more if you use it to heat an entire home or run several heaters at once. Electric space heaters are generally less efficient than a gas furnace, so they’re not the best option for whole-house heating. If you turn on multiple heaters in different rooms, your electricity use rises fast.
That means the savings can disappear pretty quickly. If the heater is running in addition to your normal heat, rather than instead of it, you may simply end up paying for both systems at the same time.
What changes the answer
Whether a space heater saves money depends on a few practical things:
- The efficiency of your space heater
- The efficiency of your furnace
- The cost of natural gas versus electricity in your area
- How large the space is that you want to heat
- How many rooms need warmth
If your main heat uses natural gas, oil, or propane, and you only need a small warm zone, the space heater may be the cheaper choice. If your home already relies on electricity for heating, the numbers may look different.
| Situation | Likely result |
|---|---|
| Heating one bedroom or office | Can save money if central heat stays lower |
| Heating the whole house with several heaters | Usually costs more |
| Using a heater while central heat stays on high | Electric bill goes up |
| Using a heater in one small room only | Often cheaper than heating unused rooms |
How much electricity does a space heater use?
Many space heaters are 1,500 watts. That means they use about 1.5 kilowatt-hours of electricity for each hour they run at full power. Using the average U.S. electricity cost of 13.75 cents per kilowatt-hour, that works out to about 20 cents an hour.
So if you ran one for 8 hours a night, that could be about $1.60 a day, or around $50 a month. A lower setting, like 750 watts, would use about half as much and cost roughly half as much to run.
That’s why features like thermostats and automatic shutoff matter so much. A heater that cycles on and off to hold the room temperature is usually easier on your electric bill than one that runs constantly.
Does a space heater make your electric bill go up?
It can, but not always by a huge amount. If you use one to replace your central heat in a single room, the extra electricity may be balanced out by using less gas or oil. If you use it alongside your regular heat, your electric bill will rise and your heating savings may disappear.
For most people, the bill won’t skyrocket unless the heater is inefficient, run for many hours at full power, or used in multiple rooms. The key is to treat it as a room heater, not a whole-home solution.
Is an electric space heater the cheapest option?
Electric space heaters are often the cheapest to buy upfront, but that doesn’t mean they’re the cheapest to run long term. They usually cost less at the store than other heating options, yet they can cost more over time if you rely on them heavily.
That said, they can still be a money-saver in the right setting. If you only need a little heat in one room, the lower purchase price and targeted use can make them practical. If you need to warm a whole home, a better approach is usually to improve your main heating system or use the heater only for a short-term boost.
Practical ways to use one wisely
If you want to keep costs down, think of a space heater as a helper, not a replacement for your entire heating system. A few simple habits can make a big difference:
- Use it in the room you’re in, not the whole house
- Close doors so the heat stays where you need it
- Lower your central thermostat while the heater runs
- Choose a model with a thermostat or temperature control
- Turn it off when you leave the room or go to sleep
If you’re comparing heating habits for winter, it can also help to look at the bigger picture. A few small changes in how you use other heat sources may matter just as much as the heater itself. And if you’re trying to make the whole season more manageable, simple saving tips for cold-weather months can help stretch the budget.
It’s also worth choosing a heater that fits the room. A small office doesn’t need the same setup as a larger bedroom, and a model with an oscillating fan can help spread warmth more evenly instead of blasting one corner.
What kind of space heater is best for saving money?
A good money-saving space heater is one that matches the space you’re trying to heat and has controls that help prevent waste. Most people do well with a heater that offers:
- A thermostat
- Multiple heat settings, such as 750W and 1500W
- Tip-over and overheat protection
- Enough power for the room size
- A fan or oscillation feature for even heating
Those features help keep the room comfortable without making the heater run more than necessary. A basic heater can work in a pinch, but a better model often gives you more control over monthly costs.
FAQ
Is it cheaper to use a space heater or central heat?
It’s usually cheaper to use a space heater for one small room and keep the central heat lower. It’s usually more expensive to use space heaters for the whole house.
How much does it cost to run a 1,500-watt space heater?
At an average U.S. electricity rate of 13.75 cents per kilowatt-hour, it costs about 20 cents per hour to run one at full power.
Will a space heater raise my electric bill a lot?
It can raise your bill, but the increase may be manageable if you only use it in one room for limited hours. Running several heaters or using one at full power for long stretches will cost more.
What is the best way to save money with a space heater?
Use it in a single room, keep doors closed, lower your main thermostat, and choose a model with a thermostat or adjustable heat settings.
Bottom line: a space heater can save money when it helps you heat less space, for less time, with more control. If you use it to warm only the room you’re in, it can be a smart winter budget move. If you use it to heat the whole house, it usually does the opposite. That makes more sense once you compare easy no sew fleece diy projects.