Electric fireplace: electricity cost calculator
Quick answer: a typical electric fireplace costs about $31/month while in use at the U.S. average electricity price (18.44¢/kWh) across a 5-month season (about $157/year). Your number depends on wattage, runtime and your state — calculate it below.
The LED flame effect alone draws 10–20 W. With the heating element on, electric fireplaces draw 750–1,500 W like any space heater. The preset assumes 4 evening hours with heat on.
5.60 kWh/day used · 170 kWh/month in use · 852 kWh/year at 18.44¢ per kWh (5 months of use per year)
Low, typical and heavy use
Monthly cost while in use, at the U.S. average price of 18.44¢/kWh.
| Scenario | Watts | Hours/day | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light use | 750 W | 2.4 h | $10.10 |
| Typical | 1,400 W | 4.0 h | $31.43 |
| Heavy use | 1,500 W | 6.0 h | $50.51 |
Common questions
How much is just the flame effect without heat?
Around 15 W — less than $1 per month even running every evening. It's the resistance heater that costs money.
Cost in every state
Monthly cost of a typical electric fireplace (1,400 W, 4h/day) at each state's average residential price, May 2026.
| State | Avg price | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.77¢ | $28.58 |
| Alaska | 28.23¢ | $48.12 |
| Arizona | 15.23¢ | $25.96 |
| Arkansas | 14.36¢ | $24.48 |
| California | 33.25¢ | $56.67 |
| Colorado | 16.16¢ | $27.54 |
| Connecticut | 27.37¢ | $46.65 |
| Delaware | 19.38¢ | $33.03 |
| District of Columbia | 25.40¢ | $43.29 |
| Florida | 15.17¢ | $25.86 |
| Georgia | 15.84¢ | $27.00 |
| Hawaii | 52.00¢ | $88.63 |
| Idaho | 12.35¢ | $21.05 |
| Illinois | 23.85¢ | $40.65 |
| Indiana | 18.15¢ | $30.94 |
| Iowa | 14.14¢ | $24.10 |
| Kansas | 15.13¢ | $25.79 |
| Kentucky | 14.98¢ | $25.53 |
| Louisiana | 14.15¢ | $24.12 |
| Maine | 28.63¢ | $48.80 |
| Maryland | 21.77¢ | $37.11 |
| Massachusetts | 28.82¢ | $49.12 |
| Michigan | 22.01¢ | $37.52 |
| Minnesota | 16.95¢ | $28.89 |
| Mississippi | 16.16¢ | $27.54 |
| Missouri | 13.68¢ | $23.32 |
| Montana | 14.67¢ | $25.01 |
| Nebraska | 13.59¢ | $23.16 |
| Nevada | 13.60¢ | $23.18 |
| New Hampshire | 27.33¢ | $46.58 |
| New Jersey | 23.27¢ | $39.66 |
| New Mexico | 14.12¢ | $24.07 |
| New York | 29.93¢ | $51.02 |
| North Carolina | 15.09¢ | $25.72 |
| North Dakota | 13.61¢ | $23.20 |
| Ohio | 19.52¢ | $33.27 |
| Oklahoma | 13.38¢ | $22.81 |
| Oregon | 16.27¢ | $27.73 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.55¢ | $36.73 |
| Rhode Island | 29.46¢ | $50.21 |
| South Carolina | 16.18¢ | $27.58 |
| South Dakota | 15.73¢ | $26.81 |
| Tennessee | 14.47¢ | $24.66 |
| Texas | 16.44¢ | $28.02 |
| Utah | 12.96¢ | $22.09 |
| Vermont | 24.89¢ | $42.43 |
| Virginia | 17.61¢ | $30.02 |
| Washington | 14.95¢ | $25.48 |
| West Virginia | 16.80¢ | $28.64 |
| Wisconsin | 19.74¢ | $33.65 |
| Wyoming | 14.80¢ | $25.23 |
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Methodology & sources
Cost = watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × price per kWh. Electricity prices are average residential prices by state from the EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (May 2026). EIA averages include delivery charges and taxes but are not any specific utility tariff — for an exact figure, use the rate from your own bill. Wattage presets reflect common product ranges; check your appliance's nameplate or a plug-in power meter for its true draw.
Last verified: July 30, 2026. Prices refresh automatically each month when EIA publishes new data.