You are sitting in your favorite chair on a cold night. You plug in your portable heater and flip the switch. Suddenly, the lights flicker and the TV goes black. You just tripped the circuit breaker. It is a frustrating moment that many of us have faced during the winter months. Before you reset that breaker, you probably want to know exactly how many amps does a space heater use so it doesn’t happen again.
Understanding the electrical pull of your heater is about more than just avoiding a dark room. It is about safety and managing your monthly budget. When you know the numbers, you can stay warm without overloading your home or your wallet.
Quick Answer: Space Heater Amperage
A standard 1500 watt space heater uses 12.5 amps when running on its highest setting. Since most household circuits are rated for 15 or 20 amps, running a heater leaves very little room for other appliances on the same line.
Understanding the Electrical Pull of Your Heater
To find out how many amps does a space heater use, we look at the relationship between watts and volts. In the United States, a standard wall outlet provides 120 volts. Most heaters are designed to run at 1500 watts. If you divide the watts by the volts, you get the amperage.
For a typical unit, that is 1500 divided by 120, which equals 12.5 amps. This is a significant amount of power. In fact, it is about 80 percent of the capacity of a standard 15 amp circuit. This is why plugging in a vacuum or a hair dryer on the same circuit usually causes the power to go out.
Some people assume that a smaller unit will be different. However, if you are wondering how much does a small space heater cost to run or how many amps it pulls, you might be surprised. Many compact heaters are still rated at 1500 watts. They just have smaller fans. Always check the label to see if the wattage is lower before assuming it is “light” on your electrical system.
How Much Does a Space Heater Cost to Run?
Beyond the electrical load, most homeowners worry about the financial load. You might ask yourself, is a 1500watt space heater cost alot to run? The answer depends on how you use it.
If you pay the average national rate for electricity, running a 1500 watt heater costs roughly 20 to 30 cents per hour. If you use it for five hours an evening, you are looking at about $1.25 a day. Over a month, that is roughly $37. While this isn’t pocket change, many find it more cost effective than heating an entire house with a central furnace.
When you look at how much does space heater cost to run compared to your main HVAC system, the savings come from zone heating. If you turn your main thermostat down and only heat the room you are in, you will likely find that a space heater save money. It is much cheaper to power one 12.5 amp device than it is to run a massive whole house heating system.
Is Using a Space Heater Cheaper for You?
Many of our readers ask, is it cheaper to run a space heater than a gas furnace? If you are heating a large home, the answer is usually no. Gas is often cheaper than electricity for bulk heating. However, is using a space heater cheaper if you live in a small apartment or only use one room? Yes, it often is.
By focusing the heat exactly where you need it, you avoid wasting energy on empty bedrooms or hallways. This makes a space heater more cost effective for people who spend most of their time in a home office or living room. The key is to avoid using multiple heaters at once. If you start running three or four units, your electric bill will skyrocket, and you will likely start tripping breakers in every room.
Cost to Run a 1500 Watt Space Heater
To get a precise idea of how much to run a 1500 watt space heater, you can look at your utility bill. Find the “price per kWh” (kilowatt hour). Since a 1500 watt heater uses 1.5 kWh every hour, just multiply your rate by 1.5.
If your rate is 15 cents, it costs 22.5 cents per hour. If you live in an area with high rates, like 30 cents, then is it expensive to run a space heater? In that case, yes. It could cost you 45 cents an hour, which adds up very fast if you leave it on overnight.
Safety and Best Practices
Since we know that how many amps does a space heater use is quite high, safety must be your top priority.
- No Power Strips: Never plug a space heater into a power strip or an extension cord. These are often not rated for a constant 12.5 amp draw and can melt or catch fire.
- Dedicated Outlets: Try to find an outlet that isn’t sharing a circuit with other high power items like refrigerators or microwaves.
- The Touch Test: If the plug or the wall outlet feels hot to the touch, stop using it. This could mean your home’s wiring is old or the outlet is loose.
- Low Setting Savings: Most heaters have a 750 watt setting. This only pulls about 6.25 amps. It is safer for your wiring and cuts how much does running a space heater cost exactly in half.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoiding a high bill and a fire hazard is easier if you skip these common errors:
- Heating Empty Spaces: Don’t leave a heater running in a room you aren’t using. It takes very little time to warm up a small space once you enter it.
- Using Old Technology: Older heaters often have less efficient fans and less accurate thermostats. A modern unit with an “Eco” mode is usually much more budget friendly.
- Blocking Airflow: If the heater can’t breathe, it has to work harder and run longer to reach your target temperature.
- Forgetting the Central Thermostat: If you run a space heater but keep your central heat at 72 degrees, you won’t save a dime. Will space heater save money? Only if you turn the main heat down.
Conclusion
Understanding how many amps does a space heater use is the first step to a safer and cheaper winter. By knowing that a standard heater pulls 12.5 amps, you can avoid overloaded circuits and potential fire hazards. While it might seem like a 1500watt space heater cost alot to run, using it for zone heating is actually one of the smartest ways to lower your overall energy bills.
Turn your central furnace down, close the door to your favorite room, and let your space heater do the work. As long as you are mindful of your settings and your home’s electrical limits, you can stay perfectly cozy all season long.
FAQ: Amps, Watts, and Costs
Can I run two space heaters on the same circuit?
Probably not. Two heaters on high would pull 25 amps. Most household circuits are only 15 or 20 amps, so the breaker will trip almost immediately.
Is a 1500 space heater cost alot to run if I use it on low?
On the low setting, it uses about 750 watts. This cuts the cost and the amperage in half, making it very affordable for maintaining a steady temperature.
Will a space heater save money if I have electric baseboard heat?
Yes. Electric baseboard heaters are often quite inefficient. A modern portable heater can often warm a specific area more quickly and for less money.
Does using a space heater save money in a drafty house?
It can, but you should also use a draft stopper under your door. If the warm air escapes, the heater will run 24/7, which becomes very expensive.
How many amps does a small space heater use?
If it is a 1500 watt model, it still uses 12.5 amps regardless of its physical size. If it is a 500 watt desk heater, it only uses about 4.1 amps.