A standard 1,500 W space heater uses 1.5 kWh for every hour it runs on high. In Alberta that costs about 10¢ an hour for the energy itself, and roughly 20¢ an hour once regulated delivery charges are added (Calgary example, before GST). An evening routine all month comes to about 135 kWh; heating a cold room around the clock can pass 500 kWh. The table shows what that costs at today’s rates.
Rates below are Get Energy’s posted rates, electricity calculated September 28, 2026, and update automatically when our rate sheet changes.
What a space heater costs to run
| How you use it | Electricity used | Energy charge only | All-in example: Calgary, before GST |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour on high (1,500 W) | 1.5 kWh | $0.10 | $0.20 |
| 1 hour on low (750 W) | 0.75 kWh | $0.05 | $0.10 |
| An evening: 5 hours, thermostat cycling about 60% of the time | 4.5 kWh | $0.30 | $0.61 |
| That evening routine every day for 30 days | 135 kWh | $8.87 | $18.32 |
| A cold room heated around the clock, averaging 50% on high, for 30 days | 540 kWh | $35.48 | $73.27 |
Energy charge at our 1-year fixed rate. The all-in column adds ENMAX Power’s per-kWh distribution and transmission charges and the City of Calgary Local Access Fee (about 7.00¢/kWh combined, tariff in effect January 1, 2026). Delivery charges differ by distribution utility, so outside Calgary check the per-kWh lines on your own bill. Fixed daily charges don’t change when you plug in a heater, so they are left out.
The rates used on this page
| Rate | Price |
|---|---|
| Get Energy fixed electricity, 1 year | 6.57¢/kWh |
| Get Energy variable electricity, 30-day average | 4.90¢/kWh |
Variable electricity also carries a 0.70¢/kWh transaction fee. Full terms, fees and every plan are on our rates page.
Work out your own heater in 30 seconds
- Find the wattage on the label. Most plug-in heaters and electric fireplaces top out at 1,500 W on high.
- Convert to kilowatts: watts ÷ 1,000. A 1,500 W heater is 1.5 kW.
- Multiply by hours to get kWh. A thermostat heater cycles on and off, so real use is often 40–70% of the full figure.
- Multiply by your all-in cents per kWh: your energy rate plus the per-kWh delivery lines on your bill.
Space heater, electric fireplace or furnace?
Electric heaters turn nearly all the electricity they use into heat, so a cheap heater and an expensive one of the same wattage cost the same to run. The difference is control: a heater with a thermostat stops drawing power once the room is warm.
What a space heater is not is a cheap way to heat a whole house. Per unit of heat, a natural gas furnace costs several times less on the energy line at current Alberta rates. A heater earns its keep when you turn the house thermostat down and warm just the room you are in — a basement bedroom, a home office, a drafty corner. Our gas vs electric heating comparison runs the full numbers.
Two practical points: plug a heater straight into a wall outlet rather than an extension cord or power bar, and follow the manufacturer’s clearance distances from furniture, bedding and curtains.
Where the cost actually shows up on your bill
Your electricity bill has an energy charge (the part your retailer sets, and the only part you can shop) and delivery charges set by your regulated distribution utility, which are the same whoever your retailer is. A heater raises both, because both are charged per kWh. If you have never chosen a retailer, you are on the Rate of Last Resort, which is 12.01–12.06¢/kWh through December 31, 2026 depending on your area.
Want the real number for your home? Send us a photo of your bill. We’ll work out your all-in cost per kWh, show you exactly what extra heating would cost you, and tell you whether you’d pay less on the energy line with us. Free, whether or not you switch.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a space heater in Alberta?
A standard 1,500 W space heater uses 1.5 kWh per hour on high. At our 1-year fixed rate of 6.57 cents per kWh, that is about 10 cents an hour for the energy alone. Once regulated delivery charges are added (about 7 cents per kWh in Calgary on ENMAX Power’s 2026 tariff, including the city’s Local Access Fee) it is closer to 20 cents an hour before GST.
Does an electric fireplace use a lot of electricity?
Only on the heat setting. Most plug-in electric fireplaces draw up to about 1,500 W when heating, the same as a space heater, so they cost the same per hour. The flame effect on its own draws a small fraction of that. Check the wattage on the label or in the manual.
How do I work out what my heater costs to run?
Divide the wattage by 1,000 to get kilowatts, multiply by the hours it runs, and you have kWh. Multiply the kWh by the all-in cents per kWh on your own bill (energy charge plus the per-kWh delivery charges). A thermostat heater does not run at full power the whole time, so real use is usually lower than the wattage times the hours.
Is a space heater cheaper than turning up the furnace?
It can be if you only need to heat one room and you turn the house thermostat down. It is not cheaper per unit of heat: at current Alberta rates, heat from a natural gas furnace costs several times less on the energy line than heat from electricity. A space heater makes sense for one room for a few hours, not as a replacement for central heating.
Does my energy rate change how much a space heater costs?
Yes, but only the energy line. Delivery charges are set by your regulated distribution utility and are the same whichever retailer you choose. The energy rate is the part you can shop, which is why it is worth comparing it before heating season.
Related reading
Winter tips to save on natural gas · Fall furnace and weatherization checklist · Find phantom loads · What it costs to run a house in Alberta
Sources
- Get Energy live rate sheet — electricity calculated September 28, 2026.
- ENMAX Power Corporation distribution tariff, residential rate D100 — rates in effect January 1, 2026.
- City of Calgary — Local Access Fee (per-kWh basis) — retrieved September 28, 2026.
- Utilities Consumer Advocate — Rate of Last Resort and retailer choice — retrieved September 28, 2026.
Get Energy is a competitive retailer offering electricity and natural gas services for residential, small business, and farm consumers across Alberta. Get Energy is a tradename of Utility Network & Partners Inc.
Prices move week to week. Our Alberta Energy Market Report tracks wholesale power prices, the natural gas reference price and retail rate movement every Monday.