What Does It Cost to Run a Space Heater in Alaska?

Running a space heater in Alaska costs about $49.23 a month — $598.97 a year — at the state's average rate of 27.35 ¢/kWh. That's roughly $175.86 a year more than a household paying the national average pays for the exact same space heater. The estimate assumes a typical 1,500-watt space heater running 4 hours/day, at the all-in average rate (before separately billed taxes and fixed fees).

Average wattage assumption
1,500 W
Typical usage assumption
4 hours/day
Estimated monthly electricity use
180.0 kWh
Estimated monthly cost
$49.23
Estimated yearly cost
$598.97

Key metrics

MetricValue
Average wattage assumption1,500 W
Typical usage assumption4 hours/day
Estimated monthly electricity use180.0 kWh
Estimated monthly cost$49.23
Estimated yearly cost$598.97

Space Heater cost vs U.S. average

Alaska average rate
27.35 ¢/kWh
Alaska monthly cost
$49.23
U.S. monthly cost
$34.78
Monthly difference
+$14.45

At the state average rate, a space heater in Alaska costs $14.45 more a month than it would at the U.S. average rate.

How much electricity does a space heater use?

A space heater draws roughly 750-1,500 W; we use 1,500 watts running 4 hours/day. That comes to 6.00 kWh a day — 180.0 kWh a month, or 2190.0 kWh over a year — using kWh = watts × hours ÷ 1000.

Most space heaters draw close to their rated wattage when actively heating, which makes them one of the more expensive household appliances to run. Alaska prices that energy at 27.35 ¢/kWh, against a 19.32 ¢/kWh national average.

Space Heater operating cost estimate in Alaska

Time periodEnergy useCost
Per hour1.50 kWh$0.41
Per day6.00 kWh$1.64
Per month180.0 kWh$49.23
Per year2190.0 kWh$598.97

These figures use the all-in average rate. Your actual bill can run higher when separately billed taxes, seasonal pricing, and fixed monthly fees apply.

What changes the cost the most?

Two things move this number: your state's rate, which you can't change, and how hard the appliance works, which you often can. For a space heater, that mostly comes down to thermostat cycling, room insulation, outdoor temperature.

Using yours more lightly or heavily than our assumption? The state calculator and usage-cost pages below model your exact scenario at the same rate.

For calculator-style comparisons, use the Space Heater calculator in Alaska to compare light, typical, and heavy usage profiles.

Comparison entry points

Browse related comparisons from the energy comparison hub:

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Source & Method

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Retail Sales of Electricity. Updated: April 2026. Estimates use the EIA average all-in residential rate (delivery included); they don't add separately billed taxes, fixed charges, or other utility fees, which vary by utility. For how rates and estimates are defined, see the methodology hub.

Disclaimers

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