Throughout most of the winter season in Tyler, TX, it may not seem worth it to turn on your electric heater or furnace for the few hours of the day when your home is chilly. You may even rely on space heaters to warm your spaces instead. But do space heaters use a lot of electricity? Are they more cost-effective than HVAC systems when it comes to home heating? We at Lex Air East Texas have the answers to these questions and more.
While using a space heater occasionally may save you money on your electricity bill, relying on portable space heaters could be more expensive than using your furnace or central heating system.
Below, we’ll go more into detail about the electricity consumption of space heaters compared to electric heaters and furnaces. We’ll also explain how our Tyler, TX, heating technicians can help you save on your electricity costs.
If you’re in need of heating services in the Tyler, TX, area, call (903) 833-9510. You can request a free quote or learn more about what we at Lex East can do for you
What Is a Space Heater?
A space heater is a portable device designed to heat a small, localized area rather than an entire home. These heaters typically use electricity to generate warmth, but can sometimes use alternative fuel sources like gas or kerosene. They often come in different types and sizes.
People use these portable heaters in rooms that need additional warmth, such as bedrooms, offices, or living areas. This is especially true during colder months when central heating might not be sufficient or cost-effective. While they can be incredibly convenient, it’s important to use space heaters safely and sparingly. Smart space heater usage can prevent fire hazards and excessive energy consumption.
Do Space Heaters Use a Lot Of Electricity?
Using a space heater can consume a significant amount of electricity, depending on the space heater’s wattage. If used over an extended period of time, the average space heater could substantially increase your home’s overall power consumption. This is especially true if the heater is used frequently or in multiple rooms.
However, the energy consumption of an electric space heater is also influenced by factors like room size, insulation, and the heater’s efficiency.
How Much Electricity Does a Space Heater Use?
The energy usage of a space heater depends on several factors. These include its power rating, how long it is used, and the specific settings or features of the heater. Additionally, factors like the size of the room being heated, the duration of use, and the temperature setting can affect the electricity usage of a space heater.
How Many Watts Does a Space Heater Use?
Most space heaters use around 1,500 watts of power when operating at full capacity. While this is standard for most residential space heaters, some space heaters have adjustable settings. This allows you to change the desired temperature, which can affect how much energy the heater consumes.
Additionally, some space heaters are designed with a higher or lower heating capacity for specific settings. This can affect their electricity usage and potentially make them more energy-efficient. If you want to better understand how much electricity your space heater uses, you can refer to your heater or its user manual.
Do Space Heaters Save Money?
Space heaters can help you save money if used strategically, such as heating only the room you’re in rather than the entire home, or heating a small area for a short period of time. However, using a space heater excessively, in multiple rooms, or for an extended period of time can drive up your electricity bill and cost you more than simply using your furnace or heater to keep warm. This is especially true for a higher-wattage heater or multiple space heaters.
How Much Does It Cost To Run a Space Heater for 8 Hours?
The cost to run a space heater for 8 hours depends on the heater’s wattage and the local electricity rate. Assuming you use a standard 1,500-watt space heater, it will consume 1.5 kilowatts (kW) per hour. Running it for 8 hours would use 12 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity.
As of 2024, the average electricity rate in Tyler, Texas is approximately 14 cents per kilowatt-hour, according to Choose Texas Power. Therefore, running a 1,500-watt space heater for 8 hours would cost about $1.68 per day. Over a month of regular use, this could add up to around an extra $50.40 on your energy bill.
It’s important to note that different space heaters, different electricity rates, and different usage patterns will result in different overall space heater cost.
Electric Space Heater vs. Furnace Energy Efficiency
When comparing an electric space heater to a natural gas furnace, the space heater will almost always use more electricity than the furnace. This is because the energy the furnace consumes is typically only used for ignition and/or running the blower motor. For the average household in Texas, a gas furnace will use about .7 kWh of electricity. Running it for 8 hours a day will cost about 78 cents per day in electrical costs and about $23.52 per month. However, this does not include the cost of natural gas, which can add about $38.40 to your heating costs. This is based on the gas usage of a 60,000 BTU furnace and the average natural gas costs in Texas for the year 2023.
When comparing the overall cost of 8 hours of daily space heater use ($50.40) to 8 hours of daily gas furnace use ($61.92), the furnace costs more. However, a 60,000 BTU gas furnace will be able to heat a 2,000 sq. ft. home evenly. A 1,500-watt space heater, on the other hand, will only be able to heat an area of about 150 sq. ft. for only about a $12 monthly cost difference.
Additionally, you may not need to run your furnace for 8 hours each day in your Texas home, due to how mild our winters are, but may need to use a space heater for 8 hours in order to keep a small space warm, if you’re not using any other heating methods.
Average Space Heater vs. Electric Central Heat System Energy Efficiency
Comparing the cost of a portable space heater and an electric heat system is a bit easier than comparing the cost of an electric space heater and a gas furnace, since both systems use electricity. Electric central heating systems are much more energy-efficient than space heaters and can heat a much bigger area, even though they will cost more each month.
The average electric heater for a 2,000 sq. ft. home may use 5 to 10 kWh of electricity. The cost of running this kind of heater at 8 kWh for 8 hours at a rate of 14 cents would cost $8.96 per day. Over a month, this would cost approximately a total of $268.80.
Compared to a month of 8 hours of daily space heater use, which totals about $50.40 in Texas, $268.80 is a lot of money to pay for heating each month. However, like with gas furnaces, electric central heating warms your entire home, not just one area.
When compared to square footage, an electric heat system can still heat your home for cheaper than multiple space heaters, and is usually much safer to run. In fact, using these calculations, it would cost you approximately more than $650 a month to heat an entire 2,000 sq. ft. home with space heaters. Texas homeowners also do not run their electric heaters constantly. They typically only need to run them for 2-4 hours in the winter due to the mild climate.
Ways to Lower Your Heating Costs
If you’re looking for ways to save money on your monthly electric bill, Lex Air East Texas is here to help. Our technicians can help lower the amount of electricity your heating system consumes and improve your cost savings. We can also provide you with tips on how to keep your costs low all year long.
Some of the best ways to lower your heating costs include:
- Improving Your Home’s Insulation: Proper insulation in your attic, walls, and floors prevents heat from escaping and reduces drafts, making your home more energy-efficient and lowering your heating costs. At Lex Air East Texas, our Tyler home insulation professionals can assess your home’s insulation needs. We’re here to ensure your heating system operates more effectively.
- Monitor Your Home’s Electric Meter: Regularly checking your electric meter helps track energy usage and identify any spikes, enabling you to address issues and manage your heating expenses more effectively.
- Upgrading to a Programmable Thermostat: A programmable thermostat lets you set specific temperatures for different times, reducing energy use by heating only when necessary, and lowering your heating bills. We offer expert programmable thermostat services in Tyler, helping you manage your heating system and optimize your cost savings.
- Zoning Your HVAC System: HVAC zoning allows you to heat only the rooms you’re using, reducing energy waste and cutting costs, especially in larger homes with multiple areas. Our team at Lex Air East Texas can provide customized HVAC zoning services in Tyler. This can allow you to control the temperature in different areas of your home and reduce energy waste.
- Investing in Heating Tune-Ups: Regular heating tune-ups ensure your system runs efficiently by addressing issues early, which prevents breakdowns and enhances performance, ultimately saving you money. Our technicians perform thorough Tyler heating tune-ups to ensure your system runs smoothly, addressing any issues before they become major problems.
- Scheduling Regular HVAC Maintenance: Consistent HVAC maintenance helps keep your system running smoothly by identifying and fixing minor problems before they escalate. This can improve efficiency and extend equipment life. At Lex Air East Texas, we provide comprehensive annual heating maintenance in Tyler to keep your system in peak condition throughout the heating season.
Different Types Of Home Heating Systems We Can Install
At Lex Air East Texas, we offer a range of heating systems tailored to meet the unique needs of your home or business. Whether you’re looking for an efficient solution to keep your entire property warm or a specialized system for specific areas, our experienced technicians can help you find and install the perfect heating system to ensure year-round comfort.
We can even help you select and install an Energy Star-certified heating system, which offers high efficiency and can significantly reduce your heating costs. Contact Lex Air East Texas for:
- Tyler heat pump installation
- Tyler air handler installation
- Tyler furnace installation
- Tyler mini-split installation
- Tyler dual-fuel heating system installation
- Tyler boiler installation
- And more!
Call Lex Air East Texas For All Your Tyler, TX, Heating Needs!
When it comes to keeping your home or business warm and comfortable, Lex Air East Texas is the HVAC company you can trust. Our Tyler heating and furnace repair professionals are dedicated to providing top-notch heating solutions that are both efficient and reliable.
From installing the latest heating systems to performing essential maintenance and repairs, we have the expertise and experience to handle all your heating needs with precision and care.
Don’t let the cold weather catch you off guard. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your current heating system or need assistance with an existing unit, our knowledgeable technicians are here to help ensure your heating system can adequately heat your home or business, all while keeping your energy costs low.
Call (903) 833-9510 or contact us via our website to receive a free quote or to learn more about our heating services today!