Electric rates vary considerably around the country. The answer to this question has everything to do with your specific rate. Electric rates are based on kilowatt hours (KWH) of usage. A kilowatt hour is 1000 watts of power, used for one hour.
Check your latest electric bill and find the rate closest to the chart below. This should give you a good idea of the costs to operate your electric fireplace, insert or stove.
For this example, we’ll use the following assumptions:
- The fireplace is on for 10 hours a day.
- Heating element uses 1500 watts of power on ‘high’ and 750 watts on ‘low’ for each hour.
- With the heating element off, motor and LED lights consume 50 watts/hour.
| ELECTRIC RATE | 5ȼ per KWH | 10ȼ per KWH | 15ȼ per KWH | 20ȼ per KWH |
| HIGH HEAT ON | 78ȼ/day | $1.55/day | $2.33/day | $3.10/day |
| LOW HEAT ON | 40ȼ/day | 80ȼ/day | $1.20/day | $1.60/day |
| NO HEAT/LED’S & MOTOR ONLY | 2.5ȼ/day | 5ȼ/day | 7.5ȼ/day | 10ȼ/day |
Since 10 hours a day is used in this example, if your appliance is only operating for 5 hours a day, use half, or 50% of the cost. If it’s on for only 2½ hours a day, use one quarter or 25% of the cost. Then, multiply that cost by the number of days in the month you’re using the fireplace.
Your WE LOVE FIRE expert is happy to answer any other questions regarding the cost to operating your electric fireplace.
