What size power station for an electric space heater (1,500 W)?
It needs a station with at least 1,500 W of continuous output. At the default 85% efficiency it takes about 14,118 Wh of rated capacity for 8 hours of running, and 42,353 Wh for 24 hours of running. 43 of the 54 power stations in the Enough Watts data set can power it. None of them keeps it going for 24 hours of running.
Updated
The short answer
1,500W
Continuous output
None
Surge to start it
14,118Wh
Capacity for 8 hours of running
42,353Wh
Capacity for 24 hours of running
43 of 54
Stations that power it
Watts
Typical figures for this type, from the sources at the foot of this page. Watts vary by model and age. Check the label on your own appliance and enter it for an exact answer.
- Running, typical
- 1,500 W
- Running, low to high
- 750 W to 1,500 W
- Starting
- No start surge
- Typical use a day
- 8 hthe calculator starts from this, and you can change it
- Average draw while on
- 1,500 W
- Voltage
- 120 V
Explained in: Watts vs watt hours, explained, How to read an appliance label for watts and Power station or generator?.
The math
Worked with the typical figure, as the calculator does it.
- Output1,500 W running, so the station's continuous output must be at least 1,500 W.
- SurgeNo start surge: the running figure covers it.
- Average draw1,500 W: the running watts count for every hour it is on.
- A typical day1,500 W × 8 h = 12,000 Wh a day.
- 8 hours of running1,500 W × 8 h = 12,000 Wh usable, ÷ 0.85 = 14,118 Wh of rated capacity.
- 24 hours of running1,500 W × 24 h = 36,000 Wh usable, ÷ 0.85 = 42,353 Wh of rated capacity.
- On the BLUETTI Elite 100 V21,024 Wh × 0.85 = 870 Wh usable, ÷ 1,500 W = 35 min.
Stations that run it
Every power station in the data with this appliance alone plugged in, at 85% efficiency. Type the running watts from your own label and the table works it out again.
What moves the number
A standard plug in heater draws 1,500 W on high and 750 W on low. When the room reaches the set temperature the thermostat cuts the element, so real use can fall below the hours entered. It has no motor and no start surge.
The battery is the limit: a space heater works out every station for a day of heating.
Questions
How many watts does an electric space heater (1,500 W) use?
Can a portable power station run an electric space heater (1,500 W)?
How long will a power station run an electric space heater (1,500 W)?
Does an electric space heater (1,500 W) need extra watts to start?
Setups that include it
Sources
Researched from these pages, then checked against them a second time. The check corrected at least one figure.
- Generator Wattage Chart: Common Appliances & Tools - Champion Power Equipment generator maker guide, checked
We read published figures and do the math; we do not measure appliances. The methodology states every formula on this page. Capacities are rated watt hours: 1,000 Wh rated gives 850 Wh usable at the default.