hvac · 1500W typical
Running a ceramic heater costs about $20.79/month.
That's the typical ceramic heater at 1500W, run 4 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 ceramic heater draws full power only while the thermostat/compressor is running — about 2.8 effective hours at 1500W across your 4-hour window.
How you use it
Cost shifts with how long it's on.
The same ceramic heater can cost very different amounts depending on usage patterns. Three common scenarios, at the US-average rate.
desk warmth
$20.79
per month
under-desk warming during office hours
bathroom spot heat
$5.20
per month
a few minutes before showering
bedroom supplemental
$31.19
per month
running evenings to avoid raising the whole-house thermostat
Where you live
$37.67 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¢ | $51.91 | $631.60 |
| California | 31.4¢ | $39.56 | $481.36 |
| Massachusetts | 30.8¢ | $38.81 | $472.16 |
| Connecticut | 28.7¢ | $36.16 | $439.97 |
| Rhode Island | 27.9¢ | $35.15 | $427.71 |
| New Hampshire | 24.6¢ | $31.00 | $377.12 |
| Alaska | 24.3¢ | $30.62 | $372.52 |
| New York | 22.3¢ | $28.10 | $341.86 |
| Maine | 22.1¢ | $27.85 | $338.79 |
| Vermont | 21.5¢ | $27.09 | $329.60 |
| Michigan | 19.3¢ | $24.32 | $295.87 |
| New Jersey | 19.1¢ | $24.07 | $292.80 |
| Maryland | 18.4¢ | $23.18 | $282.07 |
| Pennsylvania | 18.1¢ | $22.81 | $277.47 |
| District of Columbia | 17.8¢ | $22.43 | $272.87 |
| Wisconsin | 17.4¢ | $21.92 | $266.74 |
| Delaware | 17.2¢ | $21.67 | $263.68 |
| Illinois | 16.9¢ | $21.29 | $259.08 |
| Ohio | 16.6¢ | $20.92 | $254.48 |
| Nevada | 16.3¢ | $20.54 | $249.88 |
| Indiana | 15.8¢ | $19.91 | $242.21 |
| Virginia | 15.7¢ | $19.78 | $240.68 |
| Minnesota | 15.6¢ | $19.66 | $239.15 |
| Colorado | 15.4¢ | $19.40 | $236.08 |
| Alabama | 15.2¢ | $19.15 | $233.02 |
| West Virginia | 15.2¢ | $19.15 | $233.02 |
| Florida | 15.1¢ | $19.03 | $231.48 |
| New Mexico | 14.8¢ | $18.65 | $226.88 |
| Texas | 14.8¢ | $18.65 | $226.88 |
| Arizona | 14.7¢ | $18.52 | $225.35 |
| South Carolina | 14.7¢ | $18.52 | $225.35 |
| Kansas | 14.6¢ | $18.40 | $223.82 |
| Georgia | 14.2¢ | $17.89 | $217.69 |
| Iowa | 14.1¢ | $17.77 | $216.15 |
| North Carolina | 13.9¢ | $17.51 | $213.09 |
| Missouri | 13.6¢ | $17.14 | $208.49 |
| Oregon | 13.4¢ | $16.88 | $205.42 |
| Tennessee | 13.3¢ | $16.76 | $203.89 |
| Kentucky | 13.2¢ | $16.63 | $202.36 |
| Mississippi | 13.1¢ | $16.51 | $200.82 |
| Oklahoma | 13.1¢ | $16.51 | $200.82 |
| South Dakota | 12.7¢ | $16.00 | $194.69 |
| Montana | 12.4¢ | $15.62 | $190.09 |
| Nebraska | 12.2¢ | $15.37 | $187.03 |
| Arkansas | 12.1¢ | $15.25 | $185.49 |
| Washington | 12.1¢ | $15.25 | $185.49 |
| Louisiana | 11.9¢ | $14.99 | $182.43 |
| Wyoming | 11.6¢ | $14.62 | $177.83 |
| North Dakota | 11.5¢ | $14.49 | $176.30 |
| Utah | 11.4¢ | $14.36 | $174.76 |
| Idaho | 11.3¢ | $14.24 | $173.23 |
Efficient vs. inefficient
A $126.47/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
750W
$10.40 per month
$126.47 per year
Typical
1500W
$20.79 per month
$252.95 per year
High draw
1500W
$20.79 per month
$252.95 per year
When it hits hardest
winter peak
Usage heavily concentrated Nov-Mar.
Ways to cut the cost
- 1
Use the 750W setting unless actively cold
Cuts hourly cost in half
- 2
Pair with a smart plug so it shuts off when you leave
Eliminates 20-30% of wasted runtime
- 3
Zone heat: lower central thermostat 5°F and heat only occupied rooms
Can cut total winter heating cost 20-30%
Real-world wattages
Pulled from actual spec sheets.
| Brand | Model | Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Lasko | 754200 | 1500W |
| Vornado | VH200 | 1500W |
| Honeywell | HCE200W UberHeat | 1500W |
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