Cost to Run a Electric Space Heater (1500W) in Virginia
At Virginia’s April 2026 average residential rate of 17.38¢/kWh, a typical electric space heater costs about $47.61 per month — or $188 per year.
Uses 9.0 kWh/day · 1080 kWh/year.
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Formula: cost = watts × duty × hours/day × days/year × rate / 100 / 1000
About this appliance
A typical 1500W portable electric space heater used during winter evenings.
This page uses Virginia’s residential average electricity price. Virginia households pay 8% less than the U.S. average of 18.83¢/kWh, so running the same electric space heater in Virginia costs about $188/year, compared with the U.S. typical of $203/year.
Electric Space Heater cost across other states
| State | Rate (¢/kWh) | Yearly cost |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.35 | |
| Idaho | 12.70 | |
| Nebraska | 13.28 | |
| Utah | 13.29 | |
| Oklahoma | 13.31 | |
| Iowa | 13.86 | |
| Montana | 13.90 | |
| Missouri | 14.01 | |
| Arkansas | 14.16 | |
| Nevada | 14.29 | |
| Washington | 14.36 | |
| Virginia | 17.38 |
How to lower the cost of your electric space heater in Virginia
- Lower the thermostat overnight. Each 1°F you drop saves 1–3% of heating energy. Setting back from 70°F to 62°F at night saves ~10%.
- Seal air leaks. Weatherstripping doors and caulking windows typically cuts winter heating costs 10–20%.
- Add insulation. R-49 attic insulation pays back in 3–7 years across most of Virginia.
Gear that helps
Tools and upgrades that pay back fastest for this appliance category. Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
- Smart thermostat — automated setback saves 10%+
- Door / window weatherstrip — cheapest leak-sealing fix
- Outlet gaskets — air leaks you don’t see
FAQ
How accurate is this estimate?
The calculation is exact for the given inputs. Real-world variation comes from your utility’s actual rate (which varies by plan and time-of-day), your specific appliance’s efficiency, and your usage pattern. Use the customize box above to plug in your own numbers.
Where does the 17.38¢/kWh come from?
It is the Virginia residential average from the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (April 2026). See the methodology page.
How can I lower this cost?
Three high-impact moves: (1) shift heavy usage to off-peak hours if your utility offers time-of-use pricing; (2) switch to a more efficient unit (Energy Star); (3) reduce hours of use. For appliances with always-on standby draw, an inexpensive plug-in Kill-A-Watt meter often pays for itself by revealing surprise loads.