Most electric fireplaces run on a standard 120V outlet and use about 1,500 watts per hour when running at full heat output. Since your energy provider bills you per kilowatt-hour (kWh), you can estimate the operating cost by multiplying your rate by 1.5 kWh. For instance, if electricity costs 15¢ per kWh, running the heater at full power would cost around 23¢ per hour. The flame effect itself requires very little electricity, adding only a few cents per hour to your bill.
Because of this efficiency, electric fireplaces are often more affordable to run than other heating options. They’re especially effective for zone heating—you can turn down your central furnace and just heat the room you’re using, lowering overall utility costs. For comparison, many gas fireplace manufacturers list average operating costs of around 30¢ per hour, which is higher than electric.