hvac · 1500W typical
Running a electric baseboard heater costs about $40.84/month.
That's the typical electric baseboard heater at 1500W, run 10 hours a day at the US-average rate of 16.5¢/kWh. Change any of those and the number moves — use the calculator below to see yours.
Estimated cost
A electric baseboard heater draws full power only while the thermostat/compressor is running — about 5.5 effective hours at 1500W across your 10-hour window.
How you use it
Cost shifts with how long it's on.
The same electric baseboard heater can cost very different amounts depending on usage patterns. Three common scenarios, at the US-average rate.
primary room heat
$40.84
per month
only heat source in apartments or additions
bedroom overnight
$32.67
per month
runs on low thermostat setpoint overnight
supplemental addition
$20.42
per month
garage conversion or three-season room
Where you live
$74.00 spread between the cheapest and priciest states.
Same appliance, same hours of use, different zip code — the monthly cost varies this much.
| State | Rate | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 41.2¢ | $101.97 | $1,240.64 |
| California | 31.4¢ | $77.72 | $945.53 |
| Massachusetts | 30.8¢ | $76.23 | $927.46 |
| Connecticut | 28.7¢ | $71.03 | $864.23 |
| Rhode Island | 27.9¢ | $69.05 | $840.14 |
| New Hampshire | 24.6¢ | $60.89 | $740.77 |
| Alaska | 24.3¢ | $60.14 | $731.73 |
| New York | 22.3¢ | $55.19 | $671.51 |
| Maine | 22.1¢ | $54.70 | $665.49 |
| Vermont | 21.5¢ | $53.21 | $647.42 |
| Michigan | 19.3¢ | $47.77 | $581.17 |
| New Jersey | 19.1¢ | $47.27 | $575.15 |
| Maryland | 18.4¢ | $45.54 | $554.07 |
| Pennsylvania | 18.1¢ | $44.80 | $545.04 |
| District of Columbia | 17.8¢ | $44.06 | $536.00 |
| Wisconsin | 17.4¢ | $43.07 | $523.96 |
| Delaware | 17.2¢ | $42.57 | $517.94 |
| Illinois | 16.9¢ | $41.83 | $508.90 |
| Ohio | 16.6¢ | $41.09 | $499.87 |
| Nevada | 16.3¢ | $40.34 | $490.83 |
| Indiana | 15.8¢ | $39.11 | $475.78 |
| Virginia | 15.7¢ | $38.86 | $472.77 |
| Minnesota | 15.6¢ | $38.61 | $469.76 |
| Colorado | 15.4¢ | $38.12 | $463.73 |
| Alabama | 15.2¢ | $37.62 | $457.71 |
| West Virginia | 15.2¢ | $37.62 | $457.71 |
| Florida | 15.1¢ | $37.37 | $454.70 |
| New Mexico | 14.8¢ | $36.63 | $445.67 |
| Texas | 14.8¢ | $36.63 | $445.67 |
| Arizona | 14.7¢ | $36.38 | $442.65 |
| South Carolina | 14.7¢ | $36.38 | $442.65 |
| Kansas | 14.6¢ | $36.14 | $439.64 |
| Georgia | 14.2¢ | $35.14 | $427.60 |
| Iowa | 14.1¢ | $34.90 | $424.59 |
| North Carolina | 13.9¢ | $34.40 | $418.56 |
| Missouri | 13.6¢ | $33.66 | $409.53 |
| Oregon | 13.4¢ | $33.17 | $403.51 |
| Tennessee | 13.3¢ | $32.92 | $400.50 |
| Kentucky | 13.2¢ | $32.67 | $397.49 |
| Mississippi | 13.1¢ | $32.42 | $394.47 |
| Oklahoma | 13.1¢ | $32.42 | $394.47 |
| South Dakota | 12.7¢ | $31.43 | $382.43 |
| Montana | 12.4¢ | $30.69 | $373.40 |
| Nebraska | 12.2¢ | $30.20 | $367.37 |
| Arkansas | 12.1¢ | $29.95 | $364.36 |
| Washington | 12.1¢ | $29.95 | $364.36 |
| Louisiana | 11.9¢ | $29.45 | $358.34 |
| Wyoming | 11.6¢ | $28.71 | $349.31 |
| North Dakota | 11.5¢ | $28.46 | $346.29 |
| Utah | 11.4¢ | $28.22 | $343.28 |
| Idaho | 11.3¢ | $27.97 | $340.27 |
Efficient vs. inefficient
A $662.48/year difference across the wattage range.
Swapping a high-draw model for an efficient one pays for itself. Here's what that looks like annually at typical usage.
Most efficient
500W
$13.61 per month
$165.62 per year
Typical
1500W
$40.84 per month
$496.86 per year
High draw
2500W
$68.06 per month
$828.09 per year
When it hits hardest
winter peak
Baseboard heating is notoriously expensive in cold climates; Nov-Mar usage dominates.
Ways to cut the cost
- 1
Install a programmable line-voltage thermostat per room
Reduces runtime 20-30%; eliminates over-heating while away
- 2
Seal drafts, weatherstrip doors, insulate outlets before winter
Baseboard cost is ~50% envelope-driven; sealing cuts 15-20%
- 3
Set bedrooms 5°F lower overnight
Saves 5-10% on winter bills
Real-world wattages
Pulled from actual spec sheets.
| Brand | Model | Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Cadet | F Series 6F1500 | 1500W |
| Fahrenheat | PLF1504 | 1500W |
| King Electric | 8K2410BW | 2400W |
Picks that actually move the needle
Three products worth comparing if you're thinking about upgrading or supplementing what you have.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy, we may earn a small commission — it never changes the price you pay, and we only recommend picks we would stand behind.
See also
Related appliances
Sources: www.energy.gov · www.energystar.gov
Last updated: 2026-04-13