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

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

The short answer

In Maine, an oil-filled radiator drawing 1,500W costs about $0.34 per hour — roughly $82.82 a month if it runs 8 hours a day.

Maine’s average residential rate was 32.4¢ per kWh in July 2026 (EIA), 77% above the US average.

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

Oil-Filled Radiator cost by daily use in Maine

Cost at 32.4¢/kWh, the Maine average (EIA, Jul 2026)
Daily usekWh/monthPer dayPer monthPer year
1 hour/day 31.9 $0.34 $10.35 $124
2 hours/day 63.9 $0.68 $20.70 $248
4 hours/day 127.8 $1.36 $41.41 $497
8 hours/day 255.5 $2.72 $82.82 $994
12 hours/day 383.3 $4.08 $124 $1,491
24 hours/day 766.6 $8.17 $248 $2,981

Maine vs other states

At typical use, an oil-filled radiator costs $994 a year in Maine — $478 less than in Hawaii and $604 more than in Louisiana.

Maine has the 3rd-most-expensive residential electricity of the 50 states and DC. electricity prices in Maine · all states ranked

Electricity price trend in Maine

32.4¢/kWh in July 2026 — ▲ +15.8% 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 Maine 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 Maine?

Running a 1,500W oil-filled radiator for 24 hours uses about 25.2 kWh, which costs about $8.17 at Maine’s average rate of 32.4¢/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 Maine that costs $82.82.

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

Maine has the 3rd-most-expensive residential electricity of the 50 states and DC at 32.4¢/kWh — one of the most expensive. Running an oil-filled radiator here costs about $994 a year at typical use, compared with $561 at the national average rate.

What is the electricity rate in Maine right now?

The average residential electricity rate in Maine was 32.4¢ per kWh in July 2026, according to the latest EIA data — up 15.8% 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