What Does a Space Heater Cost to Run in Alberta?

Quotable facts

•Cost = watts × hours ÷ 1,000 × your rate per kWh.
•Portable electric space heaters range from 500 to 1,500 watts (Natural Resources Canada).
•A 1,500 W heater costs $0.18 an hour at the regulated 12.01¢/kWh and $0.12 an hour at 8.29¢/kWh, energy charge only.
•Electric space heaters are 100 percent efficient at turning electricity into heat, but that does not make them the most efficient way to heat a home (Natural Resources Canada).

The formula, and what wattage to use

Electricity is billed in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Watts × hours ÷ 1,000 = kWh, then kWh × rate. A 1,500 W heater on for 4 hours is 1,500 × 4 ÷ 1,000 = 6 kWh. At 12.01¢/kWh that is 6 × $0.1201 = $0.72.

Natural Resources Canada says portable room heaters, whether convection or fan-assisted, range from 500 to 1,500 watts. Check the label on your heater for its exact rating; two models with the same watts use the same energy over the same time.

Space heater cost per hour, per night and per month

Winter nights in Whitecourt, Grande Prairie and across northern Alberta make a space heater tempting. These tables show the energy charge for a 30-day month at two rates: the regulated Rate of Last Resort and Bright Fire's 1-year fixed rate. The 8-hour columns assume the heater runs the whole time; a thermostat will cycle it off, so real use is often lower.

At the regulated Rate of Last Resort, 12.01¢/kWh (October 2026)
Heater	Energy per hour	Per hour	4 hours	8 hours (overnight)	30 days at 4 h a day	30 days at 8 h a day
500 W	0.5 kWh	$0.06	$0.24	$0.48	$7.21	$14.41
1,000 W	1 kWh	$0.12	$0.48	$0.96	$14.41	$28.82
1,500 W	1.5 kWh	$0.18	$0.72	$1.44	$21.62	$43.24

At Bright Fire's 1-year fixed rate, 8.29¢/kWh (October 2026)
Heater	Energy per hour	Per hour	4 hours	8 hours (overnight)	30 days at 4 h a day	30 days at 8 h a day
500 W	0.5 kWh	$0.04	$0.17	$0.33	$4.97	$9.95
1,000 W	1 kWh	$0.08	$0.33	$0.66	$9.95	$19.90
1,500 W	1.5 kWh	$0.12	$0.50	$0.99	$14.92	$29.84

Energy charge only. These tables multiply kWh by the energy rate. They do not include delivery charges (which also have per-kWh parts), local access fees, GST or the $9.99 per month Bright Fire admin fee, so your bill will be higher than the figures shown. Rates as of October 2026: Rate of Last Resort 12.01¢/kWh (EPCOR and FortisAlberta areas; 12.02¢ in ATCO Electric areas, 12.06¢ in Calgary and Red Deer), set through December 31, 2026; Bright Fire 1-year fixed 8.29¢/kWh. This is a comparison of published rates, not a guarantee of savings.

Practical tips

1.Pick a wattage that fits the room, no larger. Same watts, same energy: compare models by the watts on the box.
2.Use a thermostat or a timer. A thermostat stops the heater from running once the room is warm, and a timer with automatic shut-off stops it if you forget.
3.Turn the heat down elsewhere. A space heater only lowers your total energy use if you heat one room and set the rest of the house cooler. NRCan suggests about 17°C when you are asleep or away and 20°C when you are awake and home.
4.Keep it safe. Plug it straight into the wall, not a power bar or extension cord, and keep it clear of curtains and furniture.
5.Check your rate. Every kWh costs what your plan says, so the free Bill Check shows what your own usage costs.

Sources: Natural Resources Canada, Heating with Electricity (Office of Energy Efficiency) and Electric heaters (Product energy ratings); Save on Energy, Space heater buying guide.

Space heater cost FAQ

How much does it cost to run a space heater per hour in Alberta?

Multiply the heater's watts by the hours, divide by 1,000, and multiply by your rate per kWh. A 1,500 W heater uses 1.5 kWh an hour: $0.18 at 12.01¢/kWh or $0.12 at 8.29¢/kWh, energy charge only. A 1,000 W heater is $0.12 or $0.08, and a 500 W heater is $0.06 or $0.04.

What wattage is a typical space heater?

Natural Resources Canada says portable heaters, convection or fan-assisted, range from 500 to 1,500 watts. Many whole-room models are 1,500 W because that is about as much as a household outlet can safely supply. The wattage is printed on the heater.

Does a space heater cost less than running my furnace?

Not automatically. Natural Resources Canada notes that an electric space heater turns each unit of electricity into one unit of heat, so it is 100 percent efficient at the end use, but that does not make it the most efficient heating choice. A space heater only saves energy if you turn the heat down elsewhere and warm just the room you are using.

Do the tables include delivery charges and GST?

No. They show the energy charge only. Delivery charges are the same with every retailer but also have per-kWh parts, and GST applies to the whole bill, so your actual cost per kWh is higher than the energy rate alone.

How can I use a space heater more cheaply?

Choose a wattage that fits the room without overshooting it, use a thermostat or timer with automatic shut-off, heat only the room you are in, and turn the thermostat down elsewhere. Natural Resources Canada notes that you will save about 2 percent on your heating bill for every 1°C you turn the thermostat down at night.

Is a space heater safe to leave on overnight?

Follow the manufacturer's instructions. Save on Energy advises plugging heaters directly into a wall outlet, never into a power bar or extension cord, choosing a model with tip-over and automatic shut-off, and keeping heaters away from furniture, curtains and water.