Infrared heater: electricity cost calculator
Quick answer: a typical infrared heater costs about $51/month while in use at the U.S. average electricity price (18.44¢/kWh) across a 5-month season (about $253/year). Your number depends on wattage, runtime and your state — calculate it below.
Infrared panels and quartz heaters draw the same 750–1,500 W as other plug-in heaters. They heat people and objects directly rather than the air, which can let you run them fewer hours for the same comfort.
9.00 kWh/day used · 274 kWh/month in use · 1370 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 | 3.6 h | $15.15 |
| Typical | 1,500 W | 6.0 h | $50.51 |
| Heavy use | 1,500 W | 9.0 h | $75.77 |
Common questions
Do infrared heaters really save money?
Only through shorter runtime. Per hour they cost exactly the same as any 1,500 W heater, but directed radiant heat can make a workspace comfortable without warming the whole room.
Cost in every state
Monthly cost of a typical infrared heater (1,500 W, 6h/day) at each state's average residential price, May 2026.
| State | Avg price | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.77¢ | $45.94 |
| Alaska | 28.23¢ | $77.33 |
| Arizona | 15.23¢ | $41.72 |
| Arkansas | 14.36¢ | $39.34 |
| California | 33.25¢ | $91.08 |
| Colorado | 16.16¢ | $44.27 |
| Connecticut | 27.37¢ | $74.98 |
| Delaware | 19.38¢ | $53.09 |
| District of Columbia | 25.40¢ | $69.58 |
| Florida | 15.17¢ | $41.56 |
| Georgia | 15.84¢ | $43.39 |
| Hawaii | 52.00¢ | $142.45 |
| Idaho | 12.35¢ | $33.83 |
| Illinois | 23.85¢ | $65.33 |
| Indiana | 18.15¢ | $49.72 |
| Iowa | 14.14¢ | $38.73 |
| Kansas | 15.13¢ | $41.45 |
| Kentucky | 14.98¢ | $41.04 |
| Louisiana | 14.15¢ | $38.76 |
| Maine | 28.63¢ | $78.43 |
| Maryland | 21.77¢ | $59.64 |
| Massachusetts | 28.82¢ | $78.95 |
| Michigan | 22.01¢ | $60.29 |
| Minnesota | 16.95¢ | $46.43 |
| Mississippi | 16.16¢ | $44.27 |
| Missouri | 13.68¢ | $37.47 |
| Montana | 14.67¢ | $40.19 |
| Nebraska | 13.59¢ | $37.23 |
| Nevada | 13.60¢ | $37.26 |
| New Hampshire | 27.33¢ | $74.87 |
| New Jersey | 23.27¢ | $63.75 |
| New Mexico | 14.12¢ | $38.68 |
| New York | 29.93¢ | $81.99 |
| North Carolina | 15.09¢ | $41.34 |
| North Dakota | 13.61¢ | $37.28 |
| Ohio | 19.52¢ | $53.47 |
| Oklahoma | 13.38¢ | $36.65 |
| Oregon | 16.27¢ | $44.57 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.55¢ | $59.03 |
| Rhode Island | 29.46¢ | $80.70 |
| South Carolina | 16.18¢ | $44.32 |
| South Dakota | 15.73¢ | $43.09 |
| Tennessee | 14.47¢ | $39.64 |
| Texas | 16.44¢ | $45.04 |
| Utah | 12.96¢ | $35.50 |
| Vermont | 24.89¢ | $68.18 |
| Virginia | 17.61¢ | $48.24 |
| Washington | 14.95¢ | $40.95 |
| West Virginia | 16.80¢ | $46.02 |
| Wisconsin | 19.74¢ | $54.08 |
| Wyoming | 14.80¢ | $40.54 |
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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.