Updated 2 November 2026 · By Diego Gómez
How much does a space heater cost to run in Canada?
What a 1500 W space heater, oil-filled radiator or heated blanket costs per hour and per month in Canada, and why your province changes everything.
Every plug-in space heater turns electricity into heat at close to 100%, so the cost depends on just three things: the wattage, how many hours you run it, and what you pay per kWh. That last one varies hugely across Canada: the Canada Energy Regulator estimates a household using 1,000 kWh a month pays from about $83 to $375 depending on the province or territory.
| Appliance | Power | At 10¢/kWh | At 15¢/kWh | At 20¢/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heated blanket | 100 W | 1.0¢/h | 1.5¢/h | 2.0¢/h |
| Space heater (low) | 750 W | 7.5¢/h | 11.2¢/h | 15.0¢/h |
| Space heater or oil radiator (high) | 1500 W | 15.0¢/h | 22.5¢/h | 30.0¢/h |
So a 1500 W heater running 6 hours a day for a month at 15¢/kWh costs about $40. With a thermostat it cycles on and off, so the real figure is usually lower.
How to spend less
- Heat the room you're in, not the house: turn the central thermostat down a little and use a space heater where you sit.
- Heat the person: a heated blanket uses about a fifteenth of the power of a space heater.
- Use the thermostat rather than leaving it on high.
- Check time-of-use rates if your utility has them.
Work out your own numbers with the heating cost calculator. Source for price range: Canada Energy Regulator.
Recommended
DREO 1500W ceramic space heater
- 1500 W (PTC ceramic)
- digital
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The best-selling space heater on Amazon.ca right now, with more than 20,000 reviews: a quiet 1500 W ceramic heater with a real thermostat and tip-over protection.
De'Longhi oil-filled radiator 1500W
- 1500 W, 3 settings
- digital panel, 24-hour timer
- oil-filled, silent
A silent oil-filled radiator that keeps heating after it switches off.
DREO 4 L humidifier
- 4 L
- up to 300 sq ft
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Quiet bedroom humidifier with a humidity setting and top fill.
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FAQs
Do energy-efficient space heaters exist?
All electric resistance heaters convert power to heat at about the same efficiency. What saves money is a good thermostat, the right size for the room, and only heating the room you're in.
Is an oil-filled radiator cheaper than a ceramic heater?
At the same wattage they use the same electricity. Oil-filled radiators give steadier, quieter heat; ceramic heaters warm up faster.