Electricity Cost Calculator
Estimate how much any appliance or device costs to run. Enter the wattage, hours of use, and your electricity rate to see daily, monthly, and yearly energy costs.
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Your Electricity Rate
US average: ~$0.16/kWh
Appliances
Quick add:
Total Energy Cost
Daily Cost
$1.92
Monthly Cost
$57.60
Yearly Cost
$700.80
Monthly Usage
360 kWh
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How to Calculate Electricity Cost
Our electricity cost calculator estimates how much any appliance or device costs to run based on three inputs: its wattage, how many hours a day it runs, and your local electricity rate. The result shows your cost per hour, per day, per month, and per year — plus total energy consumption in kWh.
The formula is straightforward:
Cost = (Watts × Hours per Day ÷ 1,000) × Rate per kWh
You can also add multiple appliances to compare their running costs side by side. This is a great way to identify energy hogs in your home and prioritise upgrades that will save the most money on your electricity bill.
Common Appliance Wattages
Not sure how many watts your appliance uses? Here are typical wattages for common household devices:
- LED light bulb: 8–15 W
- Laptop: 30–70 W
- Desktop computer: 100–300 W
- Refrigerator: 100–400 W
- Washing machine: 400–500 W
- Clothes dryer: 2,000–5,000 W
- Space heater: 1,000–1,500 W
- Central air conditioner: 3,000–5,000 W
- Electric oven: 2,000–5,000 W
- Gaming console: 45–200 W
Tips to Lower Your Electric Bill
- Switch to LED bulbs — they use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 25× longer.
- Unplug phantom loads — devices on standby still draw power. Use smart power strips to cut them off automatically.
- Adjust your thermostat — every degree lower in winter (or higher in summer) can save 1–3% on your bill.
- Run appliances during off-peak hours — if your utility offers time-of-use pricing, shift laundry and dishwashing to nights or weekends.
- Air-dry clothes when possible — the clothes dryer is one of the most expensive appliances to run.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate electricity cost for an appliance?
Multiply the appliance wattage by the hours used per day, divide by 1,000 to get kWh, then multiply by your electricity rate. For example, a 100W light bulb running 8 hours/day at $0.15/kWh costs: (100 × 8 / 1000) × 0.15 = $0.12 per day. Our calculator does this instantly.
What is the average electricity rate in the US?
The average US residential electricity rate is approximately $0.16 per kWh as of 2026, but it varies widely by state — from about $0.10/kWh in states like Idaho to over $0.30/kWh in Hawaii and Connecticut. Check your electric bill for your exact rate.
How do I find the wattage of an appliance?
Check the label or nameplate on the back or bottom of the appliance — it usually lists watts (W). You can also check the product manual or manufacturer website. If only amps and volts are listed, multiply them: Watts = Amps × Volts.
What uses the most electricity in a home?
Heating and cooling systems (HVAC) typically use the most electricity, accounting for 40–50% of energy bills. Water heaters, clothes dryers, ovens, and refrigerators are also major consumers. Use this calculator to compare the running cost of each appliance.
How can I reduce my electricity bill?
Switch to LED bulbs, use programmable thermostats, unplug devices when not in use, run appliances during off-peak hours, and upgrade to Energy Star certified equipment. Even small changes — like reducing AC by 2°F — can save 5–10% on your energy bill.
What is a kWh?
A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the standard unit of electricity billing. It represents using 1,000 watts for one hour. For example, running a 2,000W space heater for 3 hours uses 6 kWh. Your electricity rate is charged per kWh.