U.S. residential electricity EIA data: July 2026 US average 18.3¢/kWh Updated
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Heating · Connecticut

How Much Does It Cost to Run an Oil-Filled Radiator in Connecticut?

The short answer

A typical 1,500W oil-filled radiator costs about $0.25 per hour to run in Connecticut, or $61.74 a month at 8 hours a day.

Connecticut’s average residential rate was 24.2¢ per kWh in July 2026 (EIA), 32% above the US average.

Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data · Updated

Oil-Filled Radiator cost by daily use in Connecticut

Cost at 24.2¢/kWh, the Connecticut average (EIA, Jul 2026)
Daily usekWh/monthPer dayPer monthPer year
1 hour/day 31.9 $0.25 $7.72 $92.59
2 hours/day 63.9 $0.51 $15.43 $185
4 hours/day 127.8 $1.01 $30.87 $370
8 hours/day 255.5 $2.03 $61.74 $741
12 hours/day 383.3 $3.04 $92.60 $1,111
24 hours/day 766.6 $6.09 $185 $2,222

Connecticut vs other states

At typical use, an oil-filled radiator costs $741 a year in Connecticut — $731 less than in Hawaii and $351 more than in Louisiana.

Connecticut has the 11th-most-expensive residential electricity of the 50 states and DC. Connecticut price per kWh · all states ranked

Electricity price trend in Connecticut

24.2¢/kWh in July 2026 — ▼ −12.5% from a year earlier.

How to lower the cost of running an oil-filled radiator

An oil-filled radiator heats sealed-in oil, which then releases heat slowly through the fins. It is not more efficient than a fan heater — electricity to heat is still about 1:1 — but the stored heat means the thermostat switches the element off for longer stretches once the room is warm. We assume the element is on about 70% of the time, so a 1,500W radiator averages roughly 1.05 kWh per hour of use. Expect the real number to be higher in a cold, drafty room and lower in a well-insulated one.

  • Set the thermostat dial to the lowest comfortable setting and let the oil do the work.
  • Place it near the coldest wall or under a window, away from furniture that blocks the fins.
  • Switch to the lower power setting (600–900W) once the room is up to temperature.
  • Winters in Connecticut are long, so heating appliances often run more hours here than the national default — adjust the hours above to match your home.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to run an oil-filled radiator for 24 hours in Connecticut?

Running a 1,500W oil-filled radiator for 24 hours uses about 25.2 kWh, which costs about $6.09 at Connecticut’s average rate of 24.2¢/kWh.

How many kWh does an oil-filled radiator use per month?

At 8 hours a day, a typical oil-filled radiator uses about 256 kWh a month. In Connecticut that costs $61.74.

Is it expensive to run an oil-filled radiator in Connecticut?

Connecticut has the 11th-most-expensive residential electricity of the 50 states and DC at 24.2¢/kWh — pricier than most. Running an oil-filled radiator here costs about $741 a year at typical use, compared with $561 at the national average rate.

What is the electricity rate in Connecticut right now?

The average residential electricity rate in Connecticut was 24.2¢ per kWh in July 2026, according to the latest EIA data — down 12.5% from a year earlier.

Are oil-filled heaters cheaper to run than fan heaters?

Per watt, no — both convert electricity to heat at about 100%. In practice an oil-filled radiator often uses a little less because its thermostat cycles off for longer once the oil is hot.

Oil-Filled Radiator costs in nearby states

Cheapest and priciest states

Comparisons

Sources & method