Can a power station run a space heater?
Short answer
Only briefly. Most space heaters draw 1,500 W on high and 750 W on low. A 1,000 Wh power station runs one for about 35 minutes on high or around an hour on low. An electric blanket at 50 to 100 W is a far better use of the same battery, lasting all night.
Why heat is the worst job for a battery
Electric resistance heating turns every watt directly into heat, and it takes a lot of watts to warm a room. Batteries store a modest amount of energy by comparison. A 1,000 Wh power station holds about as much energy as a space heater uses in 40 minutes.
Also check the output rating. A 1,500 W heater on high needs a power station rated for at least 1,500 W continuous output, or the station will shut off.
Runtime by power station size
Runtime with continuous use and 85% usable battery energy. Heaters cycle with a thermostat, which helps slightly, but in a cold house during an outage they rarely rest.
| Power station | Heater on high (1,500 W) | Heater on low (750 W) | Electric blanket (70 W) | Heater on high? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 256 Wh 300 W output | 9 minutes | 17 minutes | 3.1 hours | No, output too low |
| 512 Wh 600 W output | 17 minutes | 35 minutes | 6.2 hours | No, output too low |
| 1,024 Wh 1,800 W output | 35 minutes | 1.2 hours | 12.4 hours | Yes |
| 2,048 Wh 2,400 W output | 1.2 hours | 2.3 hours | 24.9 hours | Yes |
| 3,600 Wh 3,600 W output | 2 hours | 4.1 hours | 43.7 hours | Yes |
For your exact appliance and power station, use the runtime calculator.
Better ways to stay warm with battery power
- Heat the person, not the room. Electric blankets and heated mattress pads use 50 to 100 W and can run all night on a mid-size power station.
- Keep the furnace running instead. If you have a gas furnace, its blower uses about 800 W while running. Powering it with a generator heats the whole house. See the generator size calculator.
- Pick one room. Close interior doors, hang blankets over doorways, and gather in the warmest room, usually on the side that gets sun.
Carbon monoxide risk: never use a grill, camp stove, gas oven or outdoor heater to warm your home. Only use fuel-burning heaters certified for indoor use, follow the manufacturer's ventilation instructions, and have working carbon monoxide alarms.
Frequently asked questions
How long will a 2,000 Wh power station run a space heater?
About 70 minutes on high at 1,500 W, or about 2.3 hours on low at 750 W.
Can a power station run an electric blanket?
Yes. Most electric blankets use 50 to 100 W, so a 1,000 Wh power station can run one for about 8 to 17 hours.
What is the most efficient way to heat with a power station?
Heat yourself directly with an electric blanket or heated pad, and keep the heat in one closed room. Space heaters are the least efficient use of battery power.
Sources and method
Runtime figures assume 85% of battery capacity reaches AC appliances and typical US appliance ratings. See exactly how we calculate. Found a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.