Science

Electricity Cost Calculator

Calculate how much any appliance costs to run per day, month, and year. Enter wattage, daily usage hours, and your electricity rate for instant results.

Quick Answer

Cost = (Watts × Hours/day × Days) / 1,000 × Rate ($/kWh). A 1,500W heater running 8 hrs/day at $0.13/kWh = $46.80/month. Use presets below for common appliances.

Calculate Electricity Cost

Enter your appliance details or click a preset above.

Monthly Cost
$46.80
360 kWh per month
Daily
$1.56
12 kWh
Monthly
$46.80
360 kWh
Annual
$561.60
4,320 kWh

Common Appliance Running Costs

Based on typical daily usage at $0.13/kWh.

ApplianceWattsTypical hrs/day$/month
LED Bulb10W6h$0.23
Laptop65W8h$2.03
TV (55")80W5h$1.56
Refrigerator150W24h$14.04
Space Heater1500W8h$46.80
Window AC1400W8h$43.68
Clothes Dryer3000W1h$11.70

About This Tool

The Electricity Cost Calculator helps you understand the true cost of running any electrical appliance. By entering the wattage, hours of daily use, and your electricity rate, you get instant cost breakdowns for daily, monthly, and annual periods. Use the appliance presets for quick estimates or enter custom values for any device.

Understanding Your Electricity Bill

Electricity is billed in kilowatt-hours (kWh). One kWh is the energy consumed by a 1,000-watt appliance running for one hour. To find an appliance's kWh consumption: multiply its wattage by the hours used, then divide by 1,000. The average US household uses about 900 kWh per month, costing roughly $120 at the national average rate.

Tips to Reduce Electricity Costs

The most impactful savings come from addressing the biggest consumers: heating/cooling (use a programmable thermostat), water heating (lower the temperature to 120°F), and laundry (wash in cold water, air dry when possible). Replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs saves about $150/year for a typical home. Unplugging phantom loads (chargers, standby electronics) can save $100-200/year. Energy Star appliances use 10-50% less energy than standard models.

Reading Appliance Labels

Most appliances have a wattage rating on a label or in the manual. Some show amperage instead; multiply amps by voltage (120V in the US) to get watts. The yellow EnergyGuide label on major appliances shows estimated annual kWh consumption and operating cost, making it easy to compare models before purchasing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate electricity cost for an appliance?
Multiply the appliance wattage by the number of hours used per day, divide by 1,000 to get kWh, then multiply by your electricity rate ($/kWh). Formula: (Watts × Hours/day × Days/month) / 1,000 × Rate = Monthly Cost. For example: a 1,500W space heater used 8 hours/day for 30 days at $0.13/kWh costs (1,500 × 8 × 30) / 1,000 × $0.13 = $46.80/month.
What is the average electricity rate in the US?
The US national average residential electricity rate is approximately $0.13-0.16 per kWh as of 2025. However, rates vary significantly by state: Hawaii ($0.33/kWh) and California ($0.27/kWh) have the highest rates, while Louisiana ($0.10/kWh) and Washington ($0.10/kWh) have the lowest. Check your utility bill for your exact rate — it is usually listed as a per-kWh charge.
What uses the most electricity in a home?
The biggest electricity consumers in a typical US home are: heating and cooling (46% of energy use, especially central AC at 3,000-5,000W), water heater (14%), washer and dryer (13%), lighting (9%), and refrigerator (7%). A central AC unit can cost $100-200/month to run in summer. Switching to LED bulbs, Energy Star appliances, and smart thermostats can significantly reduce electricity bills.
How much does it cost to run a space heater?
A typical 1,500-watt space heater running 8 hours per day at the US average rate of $0.13/kWh costs about $1.56 per day or $46.80 per month. Running it 24/7 would cost $4.68/day or $140.40/month. Space heaters are one of the most expensive appliances to run. For a single room, they can be more cost-effective than central heating, but heating a whole house with space heaters is extremely expensive.
How do I read my electricity bill?
Your electricity bill shows kWh consumed (measured by your meter), the rate per kWh, and any fixed charges or fees. To verify: check the meter readings (current minus previous = kWh used), multiply by the rate, and add fixed fees. Time-of-use plans may show different rates for peak and off-peak hours. If your bill seems high, compare your kWh usage to previous months and check for always-on appliances that may be using more power than expected.

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