Free to Use

Electricity Cost Calculator

Find out exactly how much each appliance costs to run. Calculate energy consumption in kWh, daily costs, monthly bills, and annual spending. Start saving on your electric bill today.

Common Appliance Energy Costs

See how much common household appliances cost to run. Click "Calculate" to adjust the values and see your own results.

Appliance Watts Hours/Day Daily Cost Monthly Cost Yearly Cost
Refrigerator (Energy Star) 60 W 24 $0.20 $6.11 $73.30
Refrigerator (Standard) 150 W 24 $0.50 $15.33 $183.96
Central AC (3.5 Ton) 3500 W 8 $3.92 $119.47 $1,430.80
Space Heater 1500 W 6 $1.26 $38.33 $459.90
LED TV (55-inch) 120 W 5 $0.08 $2.56 $30.66
Washing Machine 500 W 1 $0.07 $2.13 $25.55
Clothes Dryer (Electric) 3500 W 0.5 $0.25 $7.46 $89.43
Dishwasher 1200 W 1.5 $0.25 $7.67 $91.98
Hair Dryer 1800 W 0.25 $0.06 $1.28 $15.33
Microwave (medium power) 900 W 1 $0.13 $1.09 $13.15
LED Light Bulbs (10 bulbs) 6 W x 10 20 $0.17 $5.11 $61.32
Desktop Computer 900 W 8 $1.01 $30.66 $367.92
Laptop 65 W 8 $0.07 $2.21 $26.57
Water Heater (Electric) 4500 W 4 $2.52 $76.65 $919.80
WiFi Router 15 W 10 $0.02 $0.64 $7.67

๐Ÿ’ก Tip: Click any row above to load that appliance's values into the calculator and see your personalized results.

How Electricity Cost Is Calculated

Basic Formula

Daily kWh = (Watts รท 1000) ร— Hours Per Day ร— Number of Appliances
Daily Cost = Daily kWh ร— Rate ($/kWh)
Watts (W)
Power rating of the appliance
kWh
Kilowatt-hours (energy consumed)
Rate
Cost per kWh from your utility bill
Hours
Hours of operation per day

Derived Calculations

Weekly Cost: Daily Cost ร— Days Used Per Week

Monthly Cost: Daily Cost ร— (Days Per Week ร— 52 รท 12)

Yearly Cost: Daily Cost ร— (Days Per Week ร— 52)

If used 7 days/week: Monthly = Daily Cost ร— 30.44, Yearly = Daily Cost ร— 365

Example Calculation

Let's calculate the cost of running a 1500W space heater for 6 hours per day every day at $0.14/kWh:

  1. Daily kWh = (1500 รท 1000) ร— 6 ร— 1 = 9 kWh
  2. Daily Cost = 9 ร— $0.14 = $1.26
  3. Weekly Cost = $1.26 ร— 7 = $8.82
  4. Monthly Cost = $1.26 ร— 30.44 = $38.35
  5. Yearly Cost = $1.26 ร— 365 = $459.90

Tips for Accurate Calculations

  • Check your appliance's energy label or manual for the exact wattage
  • Your electricity rate is listed on your utility bill (look for "cost per kWh")
  • Some appliances use more power when starting up (motors, compressors)
  • Standby power (vampire power) can add 5-10% to your bill
  • Use a plug-in power meter for the most accurate readings

How to Use This Calculator

Follow these simple steps to find out exactly how much your appliances cost to run:

  1. Enter the wattage โ€” Check the power rating on your appliance's label or manual (e.g., 1500W for a space heater).
  2. Set usage time โ€” How many hours per day do you use the appliance? Be realistic about your daily usage.
  3. Choose days per week โ€” Some appliances run daily (7 days), others only on weekdays or occasionally.
  4. Input your electricity rate โ€” Find your rate on your electric bill (typically $0.08 - $0.40 per kWh in the US).
  5. Count your units โ€” If you have multiple identical appliances, enter the total number (e.g., 10 LED bulbs).
  6. Click Calculate โ€” Instantly see daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly costs plus energy consumption.

How to Save on Your Electric Bill

๐Ÿ”Œ
Unplug Vampire Electronics

Devices on standby can consume 5-10% of your home's energy. Unplug chargers, TVs, and gaming consoles when not in use.

๐Ÿ’ก
Switch to LED Lighting

LED bulbs use up to 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 25 times longer. Replace your most-used bulbs first.

๐ŸŒก๏ธ
Optimize Thermostat Settings

Set your thermostat to 68ยฐF in winter and 78ยฐF in summer. Each degree can save 3-5% on heating and cooling costs.

๐ŸงŠ
Use Energy Star Appliances

Energy Star certified appliances use 10-50% less energy than standard models. Look for the label when replacing old units.

๐Ÿงบ
Wash in Cold Water

Nearly 90% of a washing machine's energy use goes to heating water. Switch to cold water washes and save on every load.

๐Ÿ”„
Use Power Strips

Smart power strips cut power to devices that enter standby mode. One click turns off your entire entertainment center.

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Common Appliance Wattage Reference

Use this table to find the typical wattage for common household appliances. Actual wattage may vary by model, age, and brand.

Appliance Typical Watts Daily Estimate Monthly Cost*
Central AC (3.5 ton)3,5008 hrs$119.47
Window AC Unit1,2008 hrs$40.99
Electric Water Heater4,5004 hrs$76.65
Refrigerator (Standard)15024 hrs$15.33
Refrigerator (Energy Star)6024 hrs$6.11
Chest Freezer10024 hrs$10.22
Electric Oven3,0001 hr$12.78
Microwave1,2000.5 hr$2.56
Dishwasher1,2001.5 hrs$7.67
Clothes Dryer (Electric)3,5000.5 hr$7.46
Washing Machine5001 hr$2.13
Space Heater1,5006 hrs$38.33
TV (55-inch LED)1205 hrs$2.56
TV (65-inch OLED)2005 hrs$4.27
Desktop Computer2008 hrs$6.83
Laptop658 hrs$2.21
Hair Dryer1,8000.25 hr$1.92
Coffee Maker9000.5 hr$1.92
Ceiling Fan758 hrs$2.56
LED Light Bulb6-1010 hrs$0.26

* Based on $0.14/kWh with indicated daily usage.

Average Electricity Rates by State

Electricity rates vary significantly across the US. Here are the average residential rates by state (cents per kWh, 2024 data):

State Rate (ยข/kWh) State Rate (ยข/kWh) State Rate (ยข/kWh)
Alabama14.4Louisiana11.9Ohio13.2
Alaska23.8Maine18.4Oklahoma12.3
Arizona13.8Maryland15.1Oregon11.9
Arkansas12.2Massachusetts24.6Pennsylvania15.0
California28.9Michigan16.4Rhode Island24.1
Colorado13.5Minnesota13.6South Carolina14.2
Connecticut24.7Mississippi13.6South Dakota12.7
Delaware14.9Missouri12.1Tennessee11.8
Florida13.9Montana12.3Texas12.7
Georgia12.8Nebraska11.1Utah10.6
Hawaii39.6Nevada12.9Vermont19.8
Idaho10.8New Hampshire22.0Virginia13.3
Illinois14.2New Jersey16.5Washington10.7
Indiana13.7New Mexico14.0West Virginia13.6
Iowa12.4New York21.5Wisconsin14.4
Kansas13.5North Carolina13.0Wyoming11.6
Kentucky11.9North Dakota11.3

Source: US EIA. Rates are approximate and may vary by utility provider.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How accurate is this electricity cost calculator?
Our calculator uses standard formulas (watts ร— hours ร— rate) and provides highly accurate estimates. For most accurate results, use the exact wattage from your appliance's label and the exact rate from your electric bill. Actual costs may vary slightly due to power fluctuations, seasonal rate changes, and appliance efficiency variations.
What's the average electricity rate in the US?
The average US residential electricity rate is approximately 14-16 cents per kWh. However, rates vary widely by state โ€” from about 10ยข/kWh in Idaho and Washington to over 39ยข/kWh in Hawaii. Check your utility bill for your exact rate, or use our state rate table above as a reference.
How do I find my appliance's wattage?
Look for a label or metal plate on your appliance (usually on the back, bottom, or inside the door). It lists the voltage (V) and amperage (A) or direct wattage (W). Multiply V ร— A to get watts if only those are listed. For example, 120V ร— 5A = 600W. You can also find wattage in the product manual or search online for your model.
What appliances use the most electricity?
The biggest energy consumers in most homes are: HVAC systems (heating and cooling account for about 50% of your bill), water heaters (12-15%), refrigerators (6-8%), washers and dryers (5-8%), and lighting (5-10%). However, the largest cost contributors depend on your climate, home size, and usage habits.
What's the difference between watts and kilowatt-hours?
Watts (W) measure power โ€” the rate of energy consumption at a given moment. Kilowatt-hours (kWh) measure energy usage over time. Think of it like a car: watts are like speed (mph), and kWh is like distance traveled (miles). A 1000W appliance running for 1 hour uses 1 kWh. Your electric bill charges you for total kWh used.
Can I reduce my electricity bill significantly?
Yes! Most households can reduce their electricity bill by 10-30% with simple changes: switch to LED bulbs, unplug standby devices, use energy-efficient appliances, seal air leaks around windows and doors, install a programmable thermostat, run large appliances during off-peak hours, and replace old HVAC filters regularly. See our "How to Save" section above for more tips.
What is standby or vampire power?
Standby power (also called vampire power or phantom load) is the electricity consumed by electronics when they are turned off but still plugged in. Common culprits include TV sets, cable boxes, gaming consoles, computer monitors, and phone chargers. Standby power can account for 5-10% of your household electricity use โ€” unplugging devices or using smart power strips can eliminate this waste.

Disclaimer: This calculator is provided for estimation and educational purposes only. Actual electricity costs may vary based on your specific utility rate structure (including tiered pricing, time-of-use rates, and demand charges), seasonal variations, appliance efficiency, standby power consumption, and local taxes/fees. For accurate billing information, consult your electric utility provider or review your monthly bill. This tool does not constitute financial or energy advice.