Electricity Cost Calculator
Calculate the electricity cost of any appliance by wattage, usage hours, and your energy rate
Appliance Details
Quick examples
Typical Appliance Wattages
Electricity Cost
Energy Usage
Yearly Cost of Common Appliances (at your rate)
| Appliance Details | Power (W) | Hours / day | Cost per Year |
|---|
How we calculated this
Cost Breakdown
What if?
Each row recalculates with your current inputs. Tap a row to apply it.
Compare two plans
Enter appliance details to see its running cost
Fill in wattage, daily hours and your electricity rate above
Check an appliance running-cost estimate
A 1,500 W heater running 8 hours per day uses 1,500 ÷ 1,000 × 8 = 12 kWh/day. At 0.15 per kWh this is 1.80/day and 54.00 for 30 days. Two identical heaters double both energy and cost.
Monthly usage = daily kWh × your selected days per month. The annual estimate repeats that selected month 12 times: selecting 30 days means a 360-day estimate, not a 365-day calendar year.
Enter effective running hours for appliances that cycle on and off. The wattage table is illustrative, not a measurement. This estimates the entered per-kWh charge; fixed charges, taxes and changing tariff bands require separate treatment.
Authoritative sources and references
The official standards, guidelines, and research behind this calculator's methodology.
Electricity Cost Calculator FAQ
How do I find an appliance's wattage?
Check the label on the back or bottom of the device, its power adapter, or the manual. If only amps and volts are listed: Watts = Amps × Volts. Our reference table lists typical values for common appliances.
Where do I find my electricity rate?
On your utility bill — look for the price per kWh (energy charge). The US average is around $0.15–0.20 per kWh; rates vary widely by state and plan.
Why is my real bill different?
Appliances with thermostats (fridges, ACs, heaters) cycle on and off, so actual running hours are lower than wall-clock hours. Use the compressor's duty cycle — e.g. a fridge running 8 effective hours out of 24. Fixed customer charges and taxes on your bill are also outside this calculation.
How much does it cost to run a 1,500W space heater all month?
At the U.S. average residential rate of roughly $0.16–0.17 per kWh, a 1,500W heater running 8 hours a day costs about 12 kWh × 30 days × 0.17 ≈ $61 per month. Plug in your own rate from your bill for a locally accurate figure.
Do standby devices really add anything to my bill?
Individually tiny, collectively real: idle loads from set-top boxes, chargers, and electronics have been estimated at close to $100 per year for an average U.S. household. A $15 plug-in power meter pays for itself by showing exactly which devices draw idle watts worth hunting.
Why is my rate higher than the national average?
Published averages blend all customer classes and regions. Your effective rate can be higher because of tiered pricing (rates rise with usage), time-of-use plans, delivery and demand charges, or simply living in a high-cost state like California or Hawaii. Use the all-in number from your own bill — total cost ÷ total kWh — for accurate estimates.
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