Block heaters are mainly used in places with cold climates. They are used for warming up the engines of cars a few hours before they are started. So, when you start the engine of your car, oil moves via the engine block so that it can help to lubricate all the various moving parts. During winter, when the temperature is around -20 degrees Celsius or less, the oil in the engine of your car starts to get thicker and this will prevent the oil to easily move through the engine thus reducing the speed at which the engine works and making you buy more gas that will lead to more emissions that you won’t like. So, a block heater helps your car to work at a normal temperature so that the oil can stay thin enough for it to quickly move through the engine block.
Are you already wondering how much power a block heater uses? In general, a 110-volt block heater uses around 400 to 1500 watts of power. If you are using a 220-volt block heater, it will use around 1800 watts of power.
If you run a 110-volt block heater overnight for about 10 hours, you should be ready to spend over one hundred dollars every year if your electricity rate is $0.11143/kWh. To avoid wastage of power and the accumulation of too many electricity bills, it will be good if you avoid plugging in your block heater overnight, it’s best you start the block heater two hours before you start your car.
Here is a helpful chart on how much power a block heater uses.
| Volt size of the block heater | Range of wattage it consumes per month | Range of wattage it consumes per year |
| 110-volt | 400 watts to 1500 watts | 4800 watts to 18000 watts |
| 220-volt | 1800 to 2000 watts | 21600 watts to 2400 watts |
If you always have issues starting your car during the winter season, then, it would be great if you buy a block heater. It is very suitable for use in places with cold temperatures. Pre-warming your engine will prevent your fuel from evaporating easily, and preventing less pollution than a car that uses fuel or gas to warm the engine. Other benefits of preheating the engine of your car using a block heater, during winter are:
- It reduces the wear and tear of your engine because of the enhanced movement of oil.
- Improving the service lives of the battery and starter of your car because of the reduced load on them.
- Using a block heater also decreases the need for you to use a remote starter and that way, you can save fuel and emissions.
- Also, using a block heater enables the cabin heater in your car to generate heat quickly for your comfort and your windscreen to easily defog.
- The use of a block heater also leads to a decrease in the condensation of fuel on cold cylinder walls when a car is being started thereby decreasing exhaust emissions and saving fuel.
- Another benefit of using a block heater is that it helps the engine of your vehicle to quickly reach its normal temperature so that emissions and fuel consumption would be less.
You can either buy a car that has an in-built block heater in it or you can buy it as an add-on. Most block heaters have an electric heating element that is attached to the engine block and is connected via a power cord that is routed via the car’s grille. Also, certain types of block heaters are made to substitute one of the engine’s major plugs thereby heating the engine through the coolant.
Other ways you can keep your engine warm during winter
There are other ways you can warm the engine of your car during winter. Here are some of them:
- Laying electric blankets over the surface of the engine of your car.
- Putting an engine oil heater inside the dipstick tube.
- Fixing an engine oil heater to the engine’s oil pan using magnets.
- Using in-line coolant heaters that are attached to a radiator hose to warm the coolant.
- Using electric timers with engine warmers, for some hours before you start the engine.
- Use a full-sized car cover to cover your car.
- You can also plug the radiator of your car into an outlet.
- Practice parking your car inside your garage or close to a wall. That way, it prevents wind from entering, thus keeping your engine warm.
How much does it cost to run a block heater overnight?
It will cost you about sixty dollars every month if you plug in your block heater for about ten hours every night but if you only plug it in for only two hours a day, you will only get to spend about twelve dollars every month for it. You only need to plug in your block heater for about two hours for it to warm up.
How many watts is a Ford block heater?
If you use a Ford block heater, you should know that it has 1000 watts, it will be good if you use your time with it. And you just need about three hours for your car to heat up when you are using a Ford block heater.
How many amps does a Cummins block heater draw?
If you use a Cummins block heater, you should know that it draws thirteen amps of power.
How long should I leave my engine block heater plugged in?
You should leave your engine block heater plugged in for at least two hours–it’s advisable you don’t exceed four hours. If you leave it plugged in for more than that period, you will end up wasting electricity.
Is a block heater worth it?
Having a block heater is worth it especially if you stay in a place with a cold climate. It will help lessen your car emissions, gasoline bills and also reduce the amount you use for buying fuel.
Does a block heater have a thermostat?
An engine block heater has an internal thermostat in it that operates the heater according to the producer’s specifications for the car it is made to suit. But then, this unit operates only when the coolant temperature goes below zero degrees which is necessary for a 3.6L engine.
Do you need a special extension cord for the block heater?
Yes, you do. You need a 3-wire, 3-prong extension cord for your block heater to work. Ensure that the extension cord you buy is suitable for outdoor winter use. Avoid driving over your extension cord.
How much does it cost to run a block heater?
It will cost you about five to ten dollars to run a block heater for a month if you use a heavy-duty timer with it. Ensure you set the timer to work for only two to three hours before you start the engine. Using a timer is very cost-effective.
How much does a block heater cost?
The price range for a block heater is between 40 to one hundred and twenty dollars.
Do all 6.0 Powerstrokes have block heaters?
Yes, they do but not all of them come with an extension cord. But if it has an extension cord, you will find it behind the passenger side tow hook.
Can I start my car with a block heater plugged in?
Yes, you can. But you should unplug your block heater before starting your car so that your car doesn’t get too warm and end up overheating your block heater and thereby leading to burnout.
Is it bad to leave my car plugged in?
Yes, it is because you would be wasting too much money to pay for electricity bills. You only need a minimum of two hours or a maximum of four hours for your car to be plugged in. Avoid leaving it plugged in overnight.
How much does it cost to run a 1500 watt heater for 24 hours?
It will cost you about $3 to run a one thousand five hundred watts heater for twenty-four hours and then, it will cost you about ninety dollars per month to run a 1500 watt heater.
When should I plug in my car in winter?
If the temperature goes below -15 Celsius, plug in your vehicle for at least four hours before you start the engine to drive.
To ensure that your car starts during winter, practice using a battery tender if you would not be using your car for a very long time.
Is it all cars that have an engine block heater?
Not all cars come with engine block heaters installed in them. If you want to buy a car with an engine block heater in it, it will be good you ask questions about the car before buying it.
Does my Cummins have a block heater?
One beautiful thing about Cummins is that they all come with an already installed block heater in them. They install it on the passenger part of the engine behind and also the left side of the oil filter. The moment you find the block heater, eliminate the black protective cap covering it, before installing the heater cable.
How much does it cost to plug in a car?
If the cost of electricity is 0.11 dollars per kWh and your car consumes 34 kWh to travel about one hundred miles, it will cost you 0.04 dollars to plug in your car.
Are block heaters necessary?
If you stay in a temperate area, you might have no need for a block heater but if you stay in a place that experiences winter, and you own a car, then using a block heater is very necessary.
Can I leave my block heater plugged in all night?
Yes, you can but it is not advisable because it will increase your electricity bill. You should plug in your block heater at least two hours a day to warm up the engine of your car.
What is a block heater timer?
A block heater timer is a device that helps to turn on or turn off block heaters at set times. The block heater timer can turn on and off by itself once a day and repeats the same thing at the same time every day, thus saving you money, power, and time.
How much power does a block heater use in a month? (Volt Chart)
The amount of power a block heater uses in a month depends on how often you use it, your location, and the volt size of your block heater. A block heater can use over one thousand five thousand watts of power in a month.
The chart below will show you how much power your block heater consumes in a month and how much it will cost you to use it.
You should know that electricity is measured in kilowatt-hour (kWh). Your electricity bill shows you the amount of kilowatt-hours with a monthly meter charge and applicable taxes.
The formula below is an estimate of the cost of operating your block heater in a month. To make this estimate possible, you must be aware of three things which are:
- The cost per kWh for electricity in your city. For example, in the City of McCleary it is $0.0740 per Kilowatt hour.
- Wattage of your device. Feel free to use this formula. Volts X Amps = Watts.
- And also, an estimate of the hours you used your block heater every month.
You should know that, (Watts x Hours of use) / 1000 = kWh
kWh x 0.074 = Monthly Operating Cost
| Average Wattage | Hours per day | Hours per month | Cost per day | Cost per month |
| 1000 | 2 | 60 | $0.15 | $4.44 |
| 1000 | 3 | 90 | $0.22 | $6.66 |
| 1000 | 4 | 120 | $0.30 | $8.88 |
| 1000 | 8 | 240 | $0.59 | $17.76 |
How many amps does a block heater use?
A one-kilowatt block heater uses ten amps of power.
What is the cost of installing a block heater?
It will cost you between one hundred to two hundred US dollars to install a block heater.
When should you turn on the heat in your car?
You are supposed to turn on the heat in your car when you notice that the temperature needle shifts from the bottom of the “C” to the surface of the “C”. It usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes for that to happen.
Is it better to unplug your car before starting it?
Yes, it is. Always try to unplug your block heater before starting your engine so that you don’t make the mistake of driving off with the block heater still plugged in and so that your extension cord doesn’t get damaged.
Conclusion
A block heater is a very useful tool that you can use to warm the engine of your car during winter. It will help save you from consuming a lot of fuel and reduce the emissions from your car. There are other ways you can keep the engine of your car warm, you can use a full-sized car cover, park it in the garage, and do many other things.
You shouldn’t plug in your block heater overnight, so you don’t end up using too much power and increasing your electricity bill. Plug in your block heater at least two hours before you start the engine of your car.
Always remember to unplug your block heater before moving your car.