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Electricity Cost Calculator

Is that always-on appliance quietly running up your bill? Enter its wattage, how many hours a day you use it, and your electricity rate to see the energy in kWh and what it costs per month and per year.

Your numbers

W

On the appliance label or nameplate, in watts.

h
days
$/kWh
$

US average is about $0.17/kWh — check your bill.

Result

Cost per month
$25.50
Energy per monthkWh
150
Cost per year
$306.00
Usage and cost
PeriodEnergy (kWh)Cost
Per day5$0.85
Per month150$25.50
Per year1,800$306.00
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How to calculate running cost

The math is power (kW) × hours per day × days per month. A 1,000 W (1 kW) appliance run 5 hours a day for 30 days uses 1 × 5 × 30 = 150 kWh. At $0.17/kWh that is about $25.50 a month. Add up several appliances to explain your whole bill.

The big energy users

The largest costs are usually things that heat or cool: HVAC and space heaters, water heaters, clothes dryers, refrigerators and ovens. A 1,500 W space heater running much of the day can cost more than everything else combined. Swapping to efficient models (ENERGY STAR, heat-pump, inverter) cuts these the most.

Where to find the wattage and rate

Wattage is on the appliance label or nameplate; if it lists amps, multiply by the voltage (120 or 240 V) to get watts. Your rate ($/kWh) is on your electric bill — watch for tiered rates and time-of-use pricing, where the same appliance costs more at peak hours.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

  • Appliance energy use (kWh = kW x hours) and $/kWh rate

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