hvac · 1500W typical
Running a oil-filled radiator costs about $44.55/month.
That's the typical oil-filled radiator 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 oil-filled radiator draws full power only while the thermostat/compressor is running — about 6.0 effective hours at 1500W across your 10-hour window.
How you use it
Cost shifts with how long it's on.
The same oil-filled radiator can cost very different amounts depending on usage patterns. Three common scenarios, at the US-average rate.
bedroom overnight
$44.55
per month
silent operation makes it ideal for sleeping areas
living room evening
$22.28
per month
holds warmth after cycling off
home office
$35.64
per month
all-day slow heat at lower thermostat setting
Where you live
$80.73 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¢ | $111.24 | $1,353.42 |
| California | 31.4¢ | $84.78 | $1,031.49 |
| Massachusetts | 30.8¢ | $83.16 | $1,011.78 |
| Connecticut | 28.7¢ | $77.49 | $942.80 |
| Rhode Island | 27.9¢ | $75.33 | $916.51 |
| New Hampshire | 24.6¢ | $66.42 | $808.11 |
| Alaska | 24.3¢ | $65.61 | $798.26 |
| New York | 22.3¢ | $60.21 | $732.56 |
| Maine | 22.1¢ | $59.67 | $725.99 |
| Vermont | 21.5¢ | $58.05 | $706.28 |
| Michigan | 19.3¢ | $52.11 | $634.01 |
| New Jersey | 19.1¢ | $51.57 | $627.44 |
| Maryland | 18.4¢ | $49.68 | $604.44 |
| Pennsylvania | 18.1¢ | $48.87 | $594.59 |
| District of Columbia | 17.8¢ | $48.06 | $584.73 |
| Wisconsin | 17.4¢ | $46.98 | $571.59 |
| Delaware | 17.2¢ | $46.44 | $565.02 |
| Illinois | 16.9¢ | $45.63 | $555.17 |
| Ohio | 16.6¢ | $44.82 | $545.31 |
| Nevada | 16.3¢ | $44.01 | $535.46 |
| Indiana | 15.8¢ | $42.66 | $519.03 |
| Virginia | 15.7¢ | $42.39 | $515.75 |
| Minnesota | 15.6¢ | $42.12 | $512.46 |
| Colorado | 15.4¢ | $41.58 | $505.89 |
| Alabama | 15.2¢ | $41.04 | $499.32 |
| West Virginia | 15.2¢ | $41.04 | $499.32 |
| Florida | 15.1¢ | $40.77 | $496.03 |
| New Mexico | 14.8¢ | $39.96 | $486.18 |
| Texas | 14.8¢ | $39.96 | $486.18 |
| Arizona | 14.7¢ | $39.69 | $482.90 |
| South Carolina | 14.7¢ | $39.69 | $482.90 |
| Kansas | 14.6¢ | $39.42 | $479.61 |
| Georgia | 14.2¢ | $38.34 | $466.47 |
| Iowa | 14.1¢ | $38.07 | $463.18 |
| North Carolina | 13.9¢ | $37.53 | $456.62 |
| Missouri | 13.6¢ | $36.72 | $446.76 |
| Oregon | 13.4¢ | $36.18 | $440.19 |
| Tennessee | 13.3¢ | $35.91 | $436.91 |
| Kentucky | 13.2¢ | $35.64 | $433.62 |
| Mississippi | 13.1¢ | $35.37 | $430.34 |
| Oklahoma | 13.1¢ | $35.37 | $430.34 |
| South Dakota | 12.7¢ | $34.29 | $417.20 |
| Montana | 12.4¢ | $33.48 | $407.34 |
| Nebraska | 12.2¢ | $32.94 | $400.77 |
| Arkansas | 12.1¢ | $32.67 | $397.49 |
| Washington | 12.1¢ | $32.67 | $397.49 |
| Louisiana | 11.9¢ | $32.13 | $390.92 |
| Wyoming | 11.6¢ | $31.32 | $381.06 |
| North Dakota | 11.5¢ | $31.05 | $377.78 |
| Utah | 11.4¢ | $30.78 | $374.49 |
| Idaho | 11.3¢ | $30.51 | $371.21 |
Efficient vs. inefficient
A $289.08/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
700W
$20.79 per month
$252.95 per year
Typical
1500W
$44.55 per month
$542.03 per year
High draw
1500W
$44.55 per month
$542.03 per year
When it hits hardest
winter peak
Concentrated Nov-Mar; radiators are popular in bedrooms for their silence.
Ways to cut the cost
- 1
Use built-in thermostat, not max power — the mass retains heat
Cuts runtime by 30-40% vs. running constantly on high
- 2
Lower central thermostat and zone-heat bedroom only
Saves 15-25% on winter heating
- 3
Use the ECO or low setting (700-900W)
Cuts cost roughly in half with minor comfort loss
Real-world wattages
Pulled from actual spec sheets.
| Brand | Model | Watts |
|---|---|---|
| De'Longhi | EW7707CM | 1500W |
| Pelonis | PHO15A2AGW | 1500W |
| Honeywell | HZ-789 | 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