How Much Does a Home Electric Heater Cost to Run? (Daily & Monthly Breakdown)
When winter settles across Canada, turning up the thermostat or plugging in a space heater becomes routine. Whether you’re in a Toronto condo, a suburban home in Calgary, or an older house in Montreal, staying warm isn’t optional. But after the heater’s been running for a few hours, especially during a long cold stretch, it’s fair to wonder: What is this actually costing me?
With Ontario’s Time-of-Use pricing and Alberta’s fluctuating electricity rates, the cost of running an electric heater isn’t always obvious. Depending on when and how long you use it, the impact on your hydro bill can vary more than most people expect.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how much a home electric heater costs to run, both daily and monthly. You’ll learn how to calculate your own heating expenses, compare common heater types, and understand what really drives your winter electricity costs.
Electric Heater Running Cost Calculation Formulas
If you want to control your heating costs, you need to understand the basic math behind them. The good news? It’s simpler than most people think. Once you know your heater’s wattage and your local electricity rate, you can estimate the cost pretty accurately.
Start with the heater’s wattage (usually printed on the label), then convert it to kilowatts. For example, 1500W becomes 1.5 kW. Multiply that by the number of hours you run it, then multiply again by your electricity rate.
So if your rate is $0.13 per kWh and you run a 1500W heater for 8 hours:
1.5 × 8 × 0.13 = $1.56 per day
It may not sound like much, but that’s just one heater in one room.
Monthly Cost = Daily Cost × 30
Once you know your daily cost, multiply it by roughly 30 days to estimate your monthly impact. This gives you a realistic idea of what to expect on your next hydro bill, and whether small changes in usage could make a noticeable difference.
For households dealing with Time-of-Use pricing, some homeowners look beyond simple runtime adjustments and consider adding a house battery backup system. By storing electricity during lower-cost off-peak hours and using that stored power when rates are higher, it’s possible to smooth out winter heating expenses without changing comfort levels.
Hourly Electricity Use by Common Electric Heater Types
The wattage rating, usually printed on the back or bottom of the unit, tells you exactly how much electricity it pulls when running at full output. The higher the wattage, the faster your meter spins.
1500W (1.5 kW) Heater: 1.5 kWh per Hour
This is the most common size for portable space heaters in Canada. If you run it for one hour at full power, it uses 1.5 kWh of electricity. Many people use these in bedrooms, living rooms, or basement spaces that don’t get enough heat from the main system.
1000W (1 kW) Heater: 1.0 kWh per Hour
Smaller ceramic or personal heaters usually fall into this range. They’re often used under a desk or in a small home office to take the edge off without heating the entire room. Since they draw less power, they’re easier on your bill, but they also heat a smaller area.
2000W (2 kW) Heater: 2.0 kWh per Hour
Larger electric baseboard heaters or heavy duty garage units often run at 2000W or more. At 2.0 kWh per hour, the cost climbs quickly if they’re left on for long stretches, especially during extended cold spells.
Typical Daily & Monthly Electric Heater Costs in Canada
In Canada, heating isn’t optional, it’s part of the budget. But what you actually pay depends heavily on your province. Quebec residents benefit from some of the lowest electricity rates in the country, while households in parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan, or the Maritimes often pay noticeably more per kWh. That difference alone can shift your monthly total by a wide margin.
Average Daily Heating Cost in Canadian Homes
Let’s use a common example. If you run a standard 1500W (1.5 kW) space heater for 8 hours a day at $0.15 per kWh, the math looks like this:
1.5 × 8 × 0.15 = $1.80 per day
That may not seem like much, about the cost of a basic coffee, but remember, that’s for one heater in one room.
Monthly Cost During Peak Winter Months
If you keep that same heater running daily through a cold January stretch, you’re looking at:
$1.80 × 30 days = about $54 per month
Now let’s look at a more extreme but realistic scenario during a deep freeze.
If a 1500W heater runs 24 hours a day at $0.15 per kWh:
1.5 × 24 × 0.15 = $5.40 per day
That equals roughly $162 per month for just one unit.
If you’re relying on three or four space heaters to warm a 1,500 sq ft home, monthly costs can easily reach $300-$500, depending on runtime and local electricity rates. Homes using full electric baseboard heating often see totals in the $400-$700 range during peak winter months.
| Heating Setup | Estimated Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 room (8 hrs/day) | $54 |
| 1 room (24 hrs/day) | $162 |
| 3–4 heaters | $300-$500 |
| Whole home electric baseboard | $400-$700 |
In provinces where natural gas is available, gas heating is typically 2-4 times cheaper per unit of heat than standard electric resistance heating. That’s why space heaters usually make the most sense as supplemental zone heating, not as a full replacement for your primary system.
What Is the Cheapest Way to Heat a House With Electricity?
If you’re heating with electricity, the cheapest option isn’t just about buying a “better” heater. It’s about using electricity more strategically. In Canada, where winter can last half the year in some regions, small adjustments in how and when you heat can make a noticeable difference on your hydro bill.
Use Zone Heating and Lower Whole-Home Temperatures
Instead of heating the entire house to the same temperature, focus on the room you’re actually using. This is called zone heating. For example, if you’re working from home during the day, keep your office comfortable and let the rest of the house sit a few degrees lower. At night, shift that focus to the bedroom instead of heating empty living spaces.
In situations where short term heating support is needed, like during a brief outage or in a detached space, a portable power station such as the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus Portable Power Station can provide backup support for smaller heating setups. It runs quietly, which matters if it’s near your bed or workspace, and the built-in UPS feature helps prevent interruptions during quick winter power flickers. Some homeowners also pair it with small solar input to offset part of their energy use over time.
Choose High-Efficiency Electric Heaters (Oil-Filled Radiators)
While all electric resistance heaters convert power into heat, oil filled radiators tend to release warmth more gradually and hold it longer than fan based units. That steady heat can reduce constant cycling on and off, which may help manage overall usage in smaller rooms.
Preheat During Off-Peak TOU Hours (Ontario / BC)
If you’re in Ontario or parts of BC using Time-of-Use pricing, electricity is cheaper overnight. Running heaters or charging a home battery system during off peak hours can shift some of your energy costs to lower rate periods. Even adjusting usage by a few hours can make a measurable difference over a full winter.
Improve Home Insulation and Air Sealing
Heating efficiently starts with keeping warmth inside. Sealing gaps around doors, adding weatherstripping, and using window insulation film can reduce heat loss significantly. It’s often the simplest upgrades that give the best return.
Combine Smart Thermostats and Energy Management
For households using larger home energy storage systems, models like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra Whole-Home Backup Power can be configured to support higher wattage loads when needed. By charging during off-peak hours and using stored power during expensive daytime periods, some homeowners manage peak electricity costs more effectively, especially in provinces with wide price swings throughout the day.
What Factors Affect the Cost of a Home Electric Heater?
In Canada, winter heating costs aren’t random. If your January hydro bill feels higher than expected, there’s usually a clear reason behind it. A few key factors determine whether your electric heater adds a manageable amount, or a noticeable spike to your monthly statement.
Electricity Rates by Province
Where you live matters more than anything else. Electricity prices vary widely across the country. Quebec has some of the lowest residential rates in the world (around 7-8¢ per kWh), while Saskatchewan and Alberta can range from 18¢ to over 25¢ per kWh depending on your plan. In the Northwest Territories, rates can climb above 40¢ per kWh. That means the exact same heater, running the exact same hours, can cost double or more, depending on your postal code. Checking your local rate is always step one.
Electricity Rate Structure
It’s not just how much electricity you use, it’s when you use it. Provinces like Ontario use Time-of-Use (TOU) or Ultra Low Overnight pricing.
On-Peak: Running a heater during high demand hours (typically late afternoon and early evening) can cost significantly more.
Off-Peak: Overnight and weekends are usually cheaper.
In provinces with a tiered system like BC or Quebec, your rate increases once you pass a certain monthly usage threshold. So heavy heater use can quietly push you into a higher pricing tier.
Heater Wattage and Runtime
At the end of the day, it comes down to consumption.
Wattage × Time = Electricity Used.
For example, a 1500W heater running for 2 hours uses the same 3 kWh as a 500W heater running for 6 hours. The difference is how quickly that energy is consumed.
Using a high wattage heater in a small space, like a bathroom that only needs light warming, often leads to unnecessary costs. Matching heater size to room size makes a real difference.
Home Insulation: Your Built-In Protection
Insulation acts like your home’s winter jacket. If heat escapes through the attic, around windows, or under doors, your heater has to work harder and run longer. Upgrading insulation or sealing drafts can reduce heating costs by 15-30% in some homes. Even simple fixes like door sweeps and window film can noticeably cut down on heat loss.
Usage Habits and Smart Controls
Small habits add up over a long winter. Closing doors to unused rooms, lowering the thermostat by even 2°C, or turning heaters off when you leave the house can reduce overall costs by up to 10% or more.
Smart plugs and timers prevent heaters from running in empty rooms.
Smart thermostats adjust automatically based on your schedule, lowering heat while you’re away and warming the house before you return.
Often, it’s not one big change that lowers your bill, it’s several small ones working together.
Conclusion
An electric heater in Canada costs what you make it cost. The total comes down to wattage, runtime, and your electricity rate. Multiply those three, and you know your daily and monthly expenses.
Control comes from usage. Heat the rooms you’re in. Reduce overall temperature slightly. Use off peak hours if your plan allows it. In certain setups, a portable power station like the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus can cover short-term or backup needs. Larger systems such as the DELTA Pro Ultra may help manage peak loads when integrated properly. Winter heating is necessary. Overspending isn’t. Know the numbers, adjust your habits, and keep your hydro bill steady.
FAQ
1. Does an electric heater use a lot of electricity?
Yes. Electric heaters are high draw appliances because turning electricity into heat takes a lot of power. Many homeowners ask, do space heaters use a lot of electricity, especially during long winter stretches. Most standard space heaters run at 1500W. That’s similar to running a large microwave, except a heater often runs for hours at a time.
2. Is it cheaper to turn up the heat or use an electric heater?
If you’re heating one room, a space heater is usually cheaper than raising the temperature for the entire house. That’s zone heating. But if you’re trying to heat the whole home with multiple space heaters, costs add up quickly. In most provinces where natural gas is available, a central furnace is still more cost-effective for full home heating.
3. What burns the most energy in a house?
In Canada, space heating is typically the largest energy expense, especially in winter. It can account for 50-60% or more of your total household energy use. Water heating usually comes next.
4. How do you calculate electric heater costs in different Canadian provinces?
First, check your provincial electricity rate (for example, Quebec is often lower than Ontario or Alberta). Then use the formula:
kW × Hours Used × Electricity Rate
If your province uses Time-of-Use pricing, make sure you’re using the correct rate for the time of day. The same heater can cost more during peak hours and less overnight.
5. Do high-efficiency electric heaters really save money in the long run?
All standard resistance electric heaters convert almost all electricity into heat, so efficiency ratings are similar. The difference comes from how heat is delivered. Oil filled radiators release heat more gradually and retain warmth longer. That steadier output can reduce frequent on-and-off cycling, which may lower runtime in real world use. The savings aren’t dramatic, but comfort and stability can improve, and that sometimes leads to slightly lower overall costs.