How much does an electric furnace cost to run?

The formula

cost = watts × hours ÷ 1,000 × price per kWh

Worked example: 15,400 W × 4 h ÷ 1,000 = 61.6 kWh a day. 61.6 kWh × $0.1816 = $11.19 a day, or about $336 over 30 days.

How many watts does an electric furnace use?

Most are rated 10,400 to 20,400 W. The exact figure, in kW, is on the furnace's rating label.

• Nordyne's E2EB series specification sheet lists total input (heating elements plus blower) of 10.4 kW for the 10 kW model (35,000 BTU an hour), 15.4 kW for the 15 kW model (53,000 BTU an hour) and 20.4 kW for the 20 kW model (70,000 BTU an hour), on a 240 V circuit. The elements alone are 10.0, 15.0 and 20.0 kW, so the 1/3 HP blower accounts for the other 0.4 kW.
• Goodman's electric heat kits for air handlers are rated at 9.50 kW (10 kW kit), 14.25 to 15.00 kW (15 kW kit) and 19.00 to 19.60 kW (20 kW kit) at 240 V. On a 208 V supply, Goodman says to multiply heating capacity by 0.75, and Nordyne gives the same 0.75 factor for heat output.
• DOE describes electric furnaces as a blower moving air over three to seven resistance elements, each typically rated at 5 kW, that switch on in stages so the house wiring is not overloaded. A furnace that only needs one or two stages on a mild day draws less than its full rating.
• DOE says electric furnaces cost more to operate than other electric resistance heaters because of duct heat losses and the power needed to move air through the house.

Cost at different electricity prices

Per month (30 days) and per year (12 such months). Real use is usually seasonal. Average residential prices for August 2026 from the same EIA table. Your utility's rate, including delivery charges, may differ. Check the price per kWh on your bill.

Ways to pay less

1. Change the filter on schedule DOE recommends cleaning or replacing furnace filters once a month or as the maker recommends. A clogged filter cuts airflow, and DOE notes the furnace's limit control can shut it off when that happens, which shows up as a house that never quite warms up.
2. Seal and insulate the ducts ENERGY STAR says about 20 to 30% of the air moving through a typical duct system is lost to leaks, holes and poor connections. Ducts in an attic, crawl space or garage are the first place to look. Use mastic or metal tape, not duct tape.
3. Set the thermostat back at night DOE says turning the thermostat down 7 to 10°F for 8 hours a day can save as much as 10% a year on heating. An electric furnace has no compressor or backup stage to trigger, so a setback is safe. On the 15 kW example at 4 hours a day, 10% would be about $33.56 a month.
4. Look at a heat pump for the same ducts DOE says a heat pump cuts heating electricity by about 50% compared with an electric furnace. Nordyne's E2EB furnaces accept a 2 to 4 ton heat pump coil, so the furnace elements can stay as backup heat for the coldest days.
5. Seal air leaks in the house DOE estimates air sealing saves 10 to 20% on heating and cooling. Fewer drafts means fewer hours with the elements on.

Safety. An electric furnace needs its own 240 V circuit: Nordyne's sheet lists overcurrent protection from 60 A for the 10 kW model to 125 A for the 20 kW model on a single circuit, so wiring changes are a job for a licensed electrician. Keep the filter clean and the return grille clear, and if the furnace keeps cutting out, have it checked rather than resetting it again and again.