- Location: The climate in your area will determine how long you need to keep the block heater plugged in to effectively prevent the engine from freezing. In colder climates, you may need to keep the block heater plugged in for longer periods of time, resulting in higher costs.
- Electricity rate: The cost of electricity per kilowatt-hour (kWh) varies widely by location. In general, electricity rates are higher in areas with high demand and limited supply. Check with your local utility company for the current electricity rate in your area.
- Power consumption: The power consumption of a block heater will also affect the monthly cost. Most block heaters draw between 100 and 200 watts of power. To calculate the monthly cost, you can use the following formula:
```
Monthly cost = (Power consumption in kW) x (Number of hours per day) x (Number of days per month) x (Electricity rate in $/kWh)
```
For example, if you have a 200-watt block heater that runs for 8 hours a day, and the electricity rate in your area is $0.15 per kWh, the monthly cost would be:
```
Monthly cost = (0.2 kW) x (8 hours) x (30 days) x ($0.15/kWh) = $7.20
```
Therefore, the monthly cost of plugging in an RV for winter not running any power, just block heater, can range from a few dollars to over $20, depending on the factors discussed above.
