How Many Amps Does a Space Heater Use

Space heaters are quite popular, especially when it comes to heating small spaces or complementing the central heating system. Most space heaters use around 5 - 15 amps and connect to 120V, whereas larger space heaters draw more than 15 amps and work on 240V. Understanding how many amps a space heater uses will help you calculate energy usage and electricity bills.

Space heaters can significantly increase electricity bills, so if you're looking for an alternative power source, it's better to go solar. Jackery Solar Generators feature a large battery capacity that can charge up to 99% of household appliances, including different sizes of space heaters. These solar battery generators emit little to no noise, making them ideal for indoor use.

Key Takeaways

• On average, most space heaters draw 1500W of electricity per hour and 12.5 amps when operating at 120V.
• The amperage range of household space heaters operating at 120V is between 5 and 15 amps.
• The space heater amps can vary depending on the temperature setting. If the temperature setting is higher, it will draw more amps.
• How many amps a space heater uses on lowpower depend on the manufacturer's specification and the model. A typical 1500W space heater operates at 8.3 amps on low.

How Many Amps Does a Space Heater Use

The amps used by the space heater depend on the wattage of the appliance and the volt of the system. On average, space heaters operating at 120V systems draw 5 - 15 amps. The larger space heaters might draw more than 15 amps operating at 220V—240V.

Definition of Amps, Volts, Watts, & Running Wattage

Electricity terms such as amps, volts, and watts help you understand how the electrical devices work and how they impact the electricity bill. Let's explain each electrical term briefly:

Amps: An amp determines the electrical current or the rate at which electrons flow through a conductor. It can be calculated by measuring the strength of the electromagnetic force or by dividing watts and volts.

Amps = Watts ÷ Volts

Volts: A volt determines the electrical potential difference or the amount of energy each charging unit carries when moving between two points in the electrical systems. Space heaters are available in different sizes and operate at either 120V or 240V.

Volts = Watts ÷ Amps

Watts: A wattage is a unit that measures power or how much electricity a device needs to turn on and operate. Understanding how many watts a space heater uses will depend on its model and heating capacity. Space heaters generally consume 500W—1500W of electricity per hour, while the larger heaters draw more than 2000W per hour.

Watts = Amps × Volts

Running Wattage: Certain devices, such as space heaters, consume more power on startup, which reduces to normal after a few seconds. The amount of power a space heater draws when it operates for hours is called running wattage.

Running Wattage = Starting Amps × Volts

How Many Amps Do Different Types of Space Heaters Use

Different space heaters draw different amounts of amps, watts, and volts. While most residential space heaters draw around 5 - 15 amps and 500W - 1500W when operating at 120V. However, some larger space heaters might draw more than 1500W and operate at 240V. Here's a table that reveals the amps, watts, and volts of different space heaters:

How Many Amps Does a Space Heater Draw on a Startup 

The starting amps consumed by the space heater depend on the appliance's starting wattage and the voltage at which it is plugged in. Generally, space heaters draw 1.5 - 2 times the normal running amps to start up. For instance, if a space heater draws 12.5 amps to run continuously, it might take 18 - 25 amps to start up.

Starting Watts vs Running Watts

Space heaters draw more wattage for a few seconds to start, which is typically twice the running wattage (i.e., the electricity consumed by the space heater to run continuously). For example, if the running wattage of the space heater is 800W, it might consume anywhere around 1600W of electricity per hour.

Startup Amps vs Running Amps

Like starting wattage, startup amps are the peak current the space heater draws when it is turned on. Once you have the appliance's starting wattage and the volts it is operating on, you can easily calculate the startup amps.

If the small space heater consumes 800W of electricity per hour, the starting wattage will be twice the rated watts (around 1600W). When the appliance operates at 120V, the startup amps will be equal to:

Startup Amps = Starting Wattage ÷ Volts = 1600W ÷ 120V = 13.3A

On the other hand, the space heater's running amps can be calculated by dividing the rated watts by the volts.

Running Amps = Running Wattage ÷ Volts = 800W ÷ 120V = 6.6A

Hence, it's clear that running amps are half of the startup amps of the space heater because of the difference in wattage.

How to Calculate Your Space Heater Amps

Depending on the watts and volts of the space heaters, they might consume a certain amount of current. Electric space heater amps can be easily calculated using three different methods, each with its own accuracy level and convenience.

Method 1: Manufacturer Details: Energy Star Rating

Space heaters usually have their electrical information indicated on the label or in the user manual. You can typically find the amps on the front or back of the appliance, which means you don't have to perform any calculations. Energy Star-rated appliances are more efficient and consume less electricity than other products.

Method 2: Determine the Amps from the Wattage

If you cannot find the amps of the space heater on the appliance itself, you can use the formula Amps = Watts ÷ Volts. Here's how many amps a 1500-watt space heater uses:

Amps = Watts ÷ Volts = 1500W ÷ 120V = 12.5A

A 1500-watt space heater connected to a 120V outlet will typically draw 12.5 amps. Here's the mathematical formula to determine the amps once you have determined the power consumption from the appliance wattage chart or from the device itself:

Amps = Watts ÷ Volts 

A 750W space heater might consume around 6.2 amps of current when operating at maximum heat. However, it will draw only 3 amps at an eco or mid-level setting. You can also calculate the daily amps of the space heater by dividing daily watt-hours consumption of the appliance by the operating volts.

Daily Amps = Daily Watt Hours ÷ Volts

Method 3: Use a Power Meter

A power meter can be used to check the amps drawn by a space heater. It's a handy device that can determine the various electrical parameters such as current in amps, voltage in volts, and power in watts. Simply insert the power meter into the wall outlet and connect the space heater to the power meter before turning it on. You might notice a high amp reading right after turning it on, which then settles to a low value.

Tips to Save Your Electricity Bills

Using the space heater in rooms where you are present instead of heating the whole space can cut money off the monthly energy spent. If you want to reduce your electricity bills further, here are a few other ways to follow:

Maintain Temperature: You should avoid turning on the heater on full blast when it is cold and turning it off when it is too hot. Instead, consider finding a happy medium to maintain a consistent temperature in the home. This method will not only prolong the life of the heating appliances but also help you save money on the electric bill.

Proper Space Insulation: The more insulated the home is, the easier it is to save on electricity bills. Adequate insulation helps you maintain comfortable temperatures and achieve proper air circulation. You should also consider sealing the leaky windows and preventing chilly winds from entering the space.

Unplug When Not in Use: Avoid leaving devices on standby, as space heaters continue to consume electricity. For this reason, it's important to unplug the devices when you're away from home to save on bills.

Invest in Solar Energy: Sometimes, it might not be possible to lower the electricity bills to a large extent. If that's the case, you might need to opt for another option: a solar-powered generator. Jackery Solar Generators are available in different capacities and can charge most space heaters with the help of solar energy.

Solar Generators for Space Heaters

Many people often wonder, "Do space heaters use a lot of electricity?" Well, the short answer is yes. Generally, heat producers such as space heaters, dryers, and furnaces use more electricity than other electronic devices such as computers or TVs. Investing in a solar generator is one of the best ways to reduce electricity bills and switch to an eco-friendly solution.

Jackery Solar Generators are best known for their powerful batteries and portable design. The power stations can be recharged with solar panels, wall outlets, and car chargers. When the solar panels are placed under direct sunlight, they quickly convert solar energy into DC electricity. This electricity is then passed to the built-in pure sine wave inverter of the Jackery Portable Power Stations to convert DC to AC.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is a large-capacity yet portable charging solution capable of charging small to large appliances for long hours. If your small or midsize space heater operates at 120V, you can consider this whole-home battery backup. It's expandable, so the battery capacity can be extended to 24kWh with the additional battery packs.

Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Double Kit

The Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Double Kit is built by connecting two Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Stations in parallel. It can charge large appliances that operate at 240V, making the power station ideal for large space heaters. It has an ergonomic design, pull rod, and double wheels to move the battery backup anywhere you go and charge up to 99% of household or outdoor appliances.

FAQs About Space Heater Amps

Is a space heater outlet 15 or 20 amp?

Most residential space heaters up to 1440W use 15 amps and connect to a 120V outlet, considering the 80% rule for continuous load. However, a 1500-watt space heater on high mode can draw 12.5 amps, pushing the limits of a 15-amp circuit. Therefore, you should consider a 20-amp circuit for 1500-watt space heaters.

Can you run a space heater on a 15 amp circuit?

Yes, a 15-amp circuit can typically support space heaters up to 1440 watts, but only if the circuit doesn't have other significant loads. This is because of the 80% rule for continuous load, which means a 15-amp circuit should only be loaded to 12 amps.

Conclusion 

Space heaters draw a considerable amount of power when they are turned on. A normal 1500W space heater draws 12.5 amps of power when used in high mode and plugged into a 15-amp circuit in the household. Understanding how many amps a space heater uses will also help you choose the right solar generator for your needs. Jackery Solar Generators can power space heaters and even up to 99% of other household appliances. They're portable by nature, so you can move the generator anywhere and charge appliances.