A typical space heater consumes 750 - 1500W of electricity per hour, with most space heaters operating at 1500W. Understanding what size generator to run a space heater is directly influenced by its wattage consumption and running time. Generally, you will need a 2000-watt generator to safely run a space heater, drawing 750W - 1500W per hour. However, you should always check the generator's specifications to ensure it can handle the load of space heaters and other appliances you plan to power.  

Space heaters consume a lot of electricity, and if you want to lower your monthly electricity bills, you can consider investing in solar-powered generators. Jackery Solar Generators are portable, powerful, and essential home backups that power most household appliances, such as space heaters, TVs, refrigerators, lights, etc. They have sturdy handles and an ergonomic design to ensure easy transportation anywhere you go, as well as power appliances. 

Key Takeaways

• A typical 1500W space heater requires at least a 2000-watt generator to run safely without overloading.
• Gas generators provide continuous power but come with fuel and maintenance costs, while solar generators offer a one-time investment with no recurring expenses.
• For short-term heating needs, a Jackery Solar Generator can be a reliable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional fuel-powered models.
• Always choose a generator with more battery capacity than your heater's wattage requirement to account for startup surges and additional appliances.

How Many Watts Does a Space Heater Use?

Space heaters generally consume 750 - 1500W of electricity, depending on the model, size, and the heater settings. Most standard space heaters draw 1500W and 12.5 amps when connected to a 120V outlet.

How Many Starting and Running Watts Space Heater Use?

A typical electric space heater can operate anywhere from around 750W to 1500W, with some models having variable settings that can adjust the wattage consumption. For instance, electric space heaters have lower settings to reduce wattage consumption to around 750W. 

Unlike appliances with motors (like refrigerators or air conditioners), space heaters don't have a motor that needs a surge of power to kickstart. Hence, space heaters consume the same starting and running wattage. 

Here’s how many watts a space heater uses: 

Note: The power consumption of the space heater provided is just an estimate and may vary depending on the specific models and manufacturers.

How Much Energy is Needed to Run a Space Heater

The energy consumption of a space heater in Wh or kWh is calculated by multiplying the wattage consumption (in W) and the number of hours you would like to power the appliance. For example, if you have a 1500W space heater and want to run the appliance for 5 hours a day, the total energy consumption will be 7500Wh (7.5kWh) per day and 225kWh per month. If you are using space heaters for 5 months every year, the yearly space heater power consumption will be 1125kWh per year.

How to Prioritize Power Usage During an Outage

During a power outage, efficiently managing your energy use is crucial, especially when running a space heater. Since heaters consume a significant amount of power, choosing the right generator and optimizing its usage can help you stay warm without draining your backup power too quickly. Here’s how to maximize warmth while ensuring your power lasts as long as possible.

• Determine Essential Heating Needs: Identify the most critical areas to heat, such as bedrooms and living spaces, and close off unused rooms to conserve warmth.
• Choose an Efficient Heater: Opt for an energy-efficient space heater with adjustable settings to reduce power consumption and extend your generator’s runtime.
• Use a Properly Sized Generator: A 1500W space heater requires at least a 2000W generator. For eco-friendly, short-term heating during a power outage, a solar generator can be a reliable backup to power essential heating appliances during an outage.
• Rotate Power Usage: Instead of running multiple high-wattage appliances simultaneously, cycle their usage to prevent overloading your generator and maximize efficiency.
• Enhance Heat Retention: Use insulated curtains, weather stripping, and rugs to trap heat indoors, reducing the workload on your space heater and conserving backup power.
• Scheduled Heating: Utilize built-in timers to schedule heating periods, automatically turning the heater on and off when needed to save electricity.

Types of Generators Suitable for Space Heaters

Inverter generators, gas generators, and portable solar generators are commonly used to power space heaters at home. Depending on your space heater model and power consumption, you can understand what type of generator meets your needs. Let's explain them briefly: 

Gas Generators: Gas generators generate electricity from fuel to power space heaters of different sizes. However, gas or diesel generators produce carbon monoxide as a byproduct of combustion, which is why they are generally not a recommended solution due to safety concerns and the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning. 

Inverter Generators: Inverter generators are a good choice because they produce clean and stable power, which is essential for sensitive electronics and often more fuel efficient. However, resistive loads like heaters can draw a lot of power, and you will need a high-quality inverter and large battery capacity, which will lead to high expenses. 

Solar Generators: If you need a clean power source for a space heater and other appliances, you can consider choosing the solar-powered generators as essential home backup solutions. They work by converting sunlight into electric energy. Jackery Solar Generators are portable and powerful solutions that can power most household or outdoor appliances for long hours. 

What Size of Generator to Run a Space Heater

The right size of generator needed to run a space heater depends on its wattage consumption and operating time. If you have a high-power-consuming space heater for long hours, you will need a generator with a large battery capacity. Here's is the step-by-step process to calculate what size generator to run a space heater is required:

Step 1: Determine the Running and Surge Wattage of the Space Heater

Running wattage is the power required by the appliance to operate after the initial start, whereas surge power is the high wattage an appliance consumes to get started. Space heaters have the same starting and running wattage because they do not have motors like refrigerators. 

While most space heaters draw between 750W - 1500W of electricity per hour, you can check the exact wattage consumption of your space heater on the backside of the appliance or user manual. You can also check the manufacturer's website to see the wattage consumption of your space heater.

Step 2: Add a Safety Buffer

Once you know the wattage of the appliance being powered, it's time to add a safety buffer to ensure the generator does not operate at 100% capacity. It is always recommended to add a 20% buffer to prevent overheating and overloading, leading to a smooth operation. 

Here's how to calculate the minimum generator size: 

Minimum Generator Size = Running Wattage + (Running Wattage * 0.2) = 1500W + (1500W * 0.2) = 1800W 

So, you will need a generator with a rated output of at least 1800 - 2000 watt to safely power the space heater.

Step 3: Account for Additional Loads

If you want to power other household appliances along with a space heater, you will need to calculate the total load to choose the right size generator for the space heater. For example, if you wish to power a refrigerator (800W) and TV (150W) with a space heater (1500W), the total required power consumption will be 2450W without any buffer. 

In such a case, it is better to choose a generator that has a rated wattage of at least 3000W to safely power these appliances for hours. You should always check the generator's specifications to ensure it can safely handle the surge and running wattage of the space heater and other appliances you plan to power.

How to Calculate the Cost Per Hour Usage of Space Heater

The cost per hour to run a space heater will vary depending on the wattage consumption, electricity rate, and the number of hours you use the appliance. Below, we will break down the cost of running a space heater on grid electricity and diesel generators. 

 Note: We have assumed that the appliance is powered by a 10kW diesel generator operating at 50% load and consumes 0.53 gallons per hour. The average electricity rate in the USA used for calculation purposes is $0.1626. 

When you run a 1500W space heater for 3 hours with a diesel generator, it will cost $1.76 per day, $52.80 per month, and $264 for five months per year, significantly impacting your monthly budget. If you are looking for an affordable alternative to running a space heater, you can consider a solar-powered generator that uses sunlight to generate electricity. Solar generators do not require any ongoing fuel expenses or maintenance costs, ensuring you don’t have to pay anything extra after the initial investment.

Best Jackery Solar Generators for Space Heaters

Jackery is a leading brand that manufactures solar panels, solar generators, and portable power stations. The Jackery Solar Generators combine portable power stations and solar panels that work together to absorb sunlight and generate electricity. They are portable and powerful essential home backup solutions that ensure most household appliances remain powered during a short or long-term power outage. Here are two of the best Jackery Solar Generators that are suitable for solar-powered heaters:

Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus is an essential home backup solution that can power most household appliances during power outages or electricity grid failures. Its ergonomic design with pull rods and double wheels ensures easy transportation anywhere. The Jackery Smart Transfer Switch also allows you to connect the solar generator to the home's electricity panel to switch from grid power to battery backup in 0ms during outages. This ensures essential appliances remain powered when there is a power outage. 

Appliances Running Time

• Radiant Heater (1000W) = 4.1H
• Oil-filled Heater (1200W) = 3.4H
• Convection Heater (1500W) = 2.8H
• Ceramic Heater (1750W) = 2.4H

Customer Review

"The entire 5000 plus bundle arrived within 3 days of ordering it. High-quality product with amazing power generation capabilities. I will be purchasing a second bundle in order to increase our kWh to 60." — S.M.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is another solar-powered generator that can power space heaters during short-term power outages. The large battery capacity and ergonomic design ensure easy movement from one place to another, ensuring your appliances remain anywhere you are. If you are dealing with a winter power outage and want to run a space heater to reduce the monthly bills, the solar-powered generator ensures you get the power when you need it most. It also supports multiple add-on battery packs to extend the battery capacity from 2kWh to 24kWh. 

Appliances Running Time

• Radiant Heater (1000W) = 1.7H
• Oil-filled Heater (1200W) = 1.4H
• Convection Heater (1500W) = 1.1H
• Ceramic Heater (1750W) = 1.0H

Customer Review

"Awesome product. Have a few of the smaller ones which are very handy. Sweet fit for house and car hauler to power lights and radio. Not as heavy as I thought, and wheels with handles are a plus." — William Grimes.

How Loud Are Different Generators When Running Space Heater

Inverter generators are generally quieter than traditional standby generators. Solar-powered generators operate by minimum sound, which makes them ideal for noise-sensitive environments. Here's a comparison between the noise levels of different generator types: 

Jackery Solar Generators emit only 30dB of noise, which makes them suitable for powering appliances like space heaters at night.

FAQs About Solar Generators for Space Heaters

Will a 1000-watt generator run a space heater?

Space heaters generally consume 750 - 1500W per hour. While a 1000-watt generator may be able to run a 750W space heater, it is not suitable for powering space heaters that consume more than 1000W. It is generally recommended to choose at least a 2000-watt generator to run a space heater.

Will a 4000-watt generator run a space heater?

Yes, a 4000-watt generator can run a space heater, especially if the wattage consumption lies between 750W and 1500W or even as large as 2000W. You can also run a space heater and a few other appliances, like lights (100W), simultaneously with a 4000W generator.

How can I make my heater use less electricity?

You should use the lowest setting, where a space heater draws only as much heat as the appliance needs to maintain a comfortable room temperature. Consider using the space heater in well-insulated rooms and employing thermostats for efficient operation.

Conclusion

Choosing the right power source is essential when considering what size generator to run a space heater. A typical 1500W heater requires at least a 2000W generator to run efficiently, allowing for extra capacity. If you're looking for a cleaner, quieter option, a Jackery Solar Generator can be a reliable choice for powering heating appliances during power outages. While traditional fuel-powered generators provide extended runtime, solar generators are essential home backups that offer convenience and sustainability.