Space Heater vs Infrared Heater: Which Costs Less to Run?
Infrared heaters claim to 'heat objects, not air,' and marketing often implies dramatic savings over conventional space heaters.
Space Heater · per month
$67.12
8 hours/day · 750–1,500 W
Infrared Heater · per month
$53.70
8 hours/day · 750–1,500 W
Verdict
Watt for watt, cost is identical. Infrared's real advantage is targeting: in a garage or drafty room, radiant heat can make you comfortable without warming all the air, effectively letting you run fewer watts. In a sealed small room, there's no meaningful difference. Ignore '50% savings' marketing.
Side by side
| Space Heater | Infrared Heater | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical power | 750–1,500 W | 750–1,500 W |
| Typical usage | 8 hours/day | 8 hours/day |
| Energy per month | 365 kWh | 292 kWh |
| Cost per month (US avg) | $67.12 | $53.70 |
| Cost per year (US avg) | $806 | $645 |
| Cost per month in Hawaii | $190 | $152 |
Rates as of May 2026. Adjust the assumptions on each appliance's page: Space Heater · Infrared Heater.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to run: a space heater or a infrared heater?
At typical usage and the current U.S. average rate (18.4¢/kWh), the infrared heater is cheaper: about $53.70/month versus $67.12/month for the space heater — a difference of $13.42 per month.
How much could I save per year by choosing the infrared heater?
About $161 per year at typical usage and average rates. In Hawaii (52¢/kWh) the annual gap grows to roughly $455.
Do these numbers apply to my state?
The ratio between the two stays the same everywhere, but the dollar gap scales with your rate — from Idaho at 12.4¢/kWh to Hawaii at 52¢/kWh. Open each appliance's page for the exact cost in your state.