Space Heater vs. Central Heat Cost Comparison for Homeowners
During the colder months, you may wonder how effective space heaters are for heating your home compared to central heating systems. Space heaters may seem like an appealing option for localized warmth, especially if you spend the bulk of your time at home in only a few rooms. Are they truly helpful, or do they just consume extra energy and raise your utility bill?
We’re going to compare space heater and central heat costs, and explain when zone heating with space heaters makes sense. We’ll also cover how to run space heaters safely to prevent fire hazards at home.
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Space Heater?
On average, running a 1500-watt space heater costs about $2.10 per eight hours of use. This means you could spend about $64 per month to use a space heater every day, based on the national average cost of electricity. Running multiple space heaters throughout your home every day can quickly drive up your monthly electricity bills. However, these figures are based on a standard 1500-watt space heater. There are various space heater options, typically ranging from 500 to 1500 watts.
Central Heat Cost Comparison
Central heating is designed to keep whole homes warm and comfortable. Central heat is an investment to install, but it can provide long-term cost savings for whole-home heating.
On average, central heating costs $30 to $200 per month, depending on usage, heater type, and electricity rates in your area. On average, it costs $50 to $80 per month to run a single space heater for eight hours a day.
Here’s a breakdown table of a single space heater vs. central forced-air or heat pump operating costs.
As you can see, the costs differ quite a bit between space heaters and central heating. Let’s discuss when using a space heater makes sense.
When Zone Heating With a Space Heater Makes Sense
Space heaters are designed to heat small spaces, such as single bedrooms or home offices. They aren’t designed to heat an entire home, at least not a large one. Using a space heater makes sense for homeowners with single-room work-from-home setups or very small homes without existing ductwork.
If you spend most of your day in a home office, you can keep the room warm and comfortable by using a space heater and shutting the door. You may not even need a standard 1500-watt space heater, and might be able to get away with a smaller model for under-the-desk heating. Portable space heaters are convenient because you can easily move them around the house to provide localized heat where you need it.
Central heating is more cost-effective for whole-home heating, since it distributes warm air into each room. Heat pumps and furnaces are highly effective at heating homes during the fall and winter and offer automated control using a thermostat. However, heating system maintenance is critical to keep up the efficiency of your furnace or heat pump.
Space Heater Safety and Fire Hazard Considerations
Portable space heaters come with safety risks that are important to consider. Space heaters are responsible for 30% of home heating fires according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). When placed too close to combustible materials, such as curtains, bedding, or furniture, they can cause a fire hazard.
Additionally, running multiple space heaters at once can sometimes overload a circuit. Overloaded circuits also carry the risk of electrical fires or shock, and are one of the biggest causes of residential fires.
Here are a few safety tips for running space heaters at home:
- Set the unit on a hard, non-flammable floor surface: Avoid setting space heaters directly on carpets, rugs, or furniture.
- Keep a three-foot clearance: Make sure curtains, bedding, paper, and other flammable materials are at least three feet away from the space heater at all times.
- Plug the unit directly into a wall outlet: Avoid plugging space heaters into surge protectors or extension cords to prevent overheating.
- Unplug the unit when leaving the room or sleeping: It is critical to turn off and unplug space heaters when you’re not in the room with them or are going to sleep.
- Choose a unit with safety features: Many modern space heaters offer built-in safety features, such as timed shut-offs and tip-over switches.
Plan Your Winter Heating Strategy
Whether you use central heating or space heaters at home, it’s important to practice electrical safety. Powering Pacific Northwest (PPNW) connects homeowners with residential electrical professionals in Oregon and Southwest Washington. If you need additional outlets or even a heat pump installed, our pros can help.
Our vetted, licensed, union-affiliated residential electricians are experienced in central heat and heat pump wiring, electrical panel upgrades, and more.
