🚗 Outdoor, Garage & EV
How Much Does a Electric Patio Heater Cost to Run?
At the current U.S. average rate of 18.4¢/kWh (May 2026), a electric patio heater costs about $25.17 per month at typical usage — 3 hours/day.
Per hour
$0.28
at 900–3,000 W
Per day
$0.83
3 hours/day
Per month
$25.17
137 kWh
Per year
$302
1,643 kWh
Infrared patio heaters draw 900–3,000 watts and heat people directly, so effectiveness outdoors depends on distance and wind. An evening under one costs about what an indoor space heater would — but the sky gets most of the warmth.
Calculate it for your home
Per hour
$0.28
Per day
$0.83
Per month
$25.17
Per year
$302
Uses 137 kWh/month at 18.4¢ per kWh.
Cheapest and most expensive states
Monthly cost at typical usage, using each state's current average residential rate.
Cost in every state
| State | Rate (¢/kWh) | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | 12.4 | $0.19 | $16.96 | $204 |
| Utah | 13.0 | $0.20 | $17.78 | $214 |
| Oklahoma | 13.4 | $0.20 | $18.33 | $220 |
| Nebraska | 13.6 | $0.20 | $18.60 | $223 |
| Nevada | 13.6 | $0.20 | $18.60 | $223 |
| North Dakota | 13.6 | $0.20 | $18.60 | $223 |
| Missouri | 13.7 | $0.21 | $18.74 | $225 |
| Iowa | 14.1 | $0.21 | $19.29 | $232 |
| New Mexico | 14.1 | $0.21 | $19.29 | $232 |
| Louisiana | 14.2 | $0.21 | $19.43 | $233 |
| Arkansas | 14.4 | $0.22 | $19.70 | $237 |
| Tennessee | 14.5 | $0.22 | $19.84 | $238 |
| Montana | 14.7 | $0.22 | $20.11 | $241 |
| Wyoming | 14.8 | $0.22 | $20.25 | $243 |
| Kentucky | 15.0 | $0.22 | $20.52 | $246 |
| Washington | 15.0 | $0.22 | $20.52 | $246 |
| Kansas | 15.1 | $0.23 | $20.66 | $248 |
| North Carolina | 15.1 | $0.23 | $20.66 | $248 |
| Arizona | 15.2 | $0.23 | $20.79 | $250 |
| Florida | 15.2 | $0.23 | $20.79 | $250 |
| South Dakota | 15.7 | $0.24 | $21.48 | $258 |
| Georgia | 15.8 | $0.24 | $21.61 | $260 |
| Colorado | 16.2 | $0.24 | $22.16 | $266 |
| Mississippi | 16.2 | $0.24 | $22.16 | $266 |
| South Carolina | 16.2 | $0.24 | $22.16 | $266 |
| Oregon | 16.3 | $0.24 | $22.30 | $268 |
| Texas | 16.4 | $0.25 | $22.44 | $269 |
| Alabama | 16.8 | $0.25 | $22.98 | $276 |
| West Virginia | 16.8 | $0.25 | $22.98 | $276 |
| Minnesota | 17.0 | $0.26 | $23.26 | $279 |
| Virginia | 17.6 | $0.26 | $24.08 | $289 |
| Indiana | 18.2 | $0.27 | $24.90 | $299 |
| Delaware | 19.4 | $0.29 | $26.54 | $319 |
| Ohio | 19.5 | $0.29 | $26.68 | $320 |
| Wisconsin | 19.7 | $0.30 | $26.95 | $324 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.6 | $0.32 | $29.55 | $355 |
| Maryland | 21.8 | $0.33 | $29.82 | $358 |
| Michigan | 22.0 | $0.33 | $30.10 | $361 |
| New Jersey | 23.3 | $0.35 | $31.87 | $383 |
| Illinois | 23.9 | $0.36 | $32.70 | $393 |
| Vermont | 24.9 | $0.37 | $34.06 | $409 |
| Washington, D.C. | 25.4 | $0.38 | $34.75 | $417 |
| New Hampshire | 27.3 | $0.41 | $37.35 | $448 |
| Connecticut | 27.4 | $0.41 | $37.48 | $450 |
| Alaska | 28.2 | $0.42 | $38.58 | $463 |
| Maine | 28.6 | $0.43 | $39.12 | $470 |
| Massachusetts | 28.8 | $0.43 | $39.40 | $473 |
| Rhode Island | 29.5 | $0.44 | $40.36 | $485 |
| New York | 29.9 | $0.45 | $40.90 | $491 |
| California | 33.3 | $0.50 | $45.55 | $547 |
| Hawaii | 52.0 | $0.78 | $71.14 | $854 |
How to lower the cost
- Charge vehicles and batteries overnight if your utility offers time-of-use rates.
- Standby draw hides in garages — openers, chargers, and old fridges add up around the clock.
- Electric yard tools cost pennies per session; the battery’s lifespan is the real economics.
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does a electric patio heater use?
A typical electric patio heater draws about 1,500 watts in use. At 3 hours/day, that works out to roughly 4.5 kWh per day, or 137 kWh per month.
How much does it cost to run a electric patio heater for 1 hour?
At the current U.S. average residential rate of 18.4¢/kWh, one hour costs about $0.28. In Idaho (12.4¢/kWh) it's $0.19, while in Hawaii (52¢/kWh) it's $0.78.
How much does a electric patio heater cost to run per month?
With typical usage (3 hours/day), expect about $25.17 per month at the U.S. average rate — from $16.96 in Idaho up to $71.14 in Hawaii. Rates are as of May 2026.
Does a electric patio heater use a lot of electricity?
Yes — at typical usage it accounts for roughly 15% of an average U.S. home's monthly consumption (885 kWh), which makes it one of the larger loads in the house.