Appliance Electricity Cost Calculator
Enter an appliance's wattage, how long it runs each day and your electricity rate to see what it costs to run.
- Cost per day
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- Cost per month
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- Energy per day
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- Energy per year
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How it works
Energy used in kilowatt-hours (kWh) is watts divided by 1,000, multiplied by hours of use. Cost is kWh multiplied by your price per kWh. A 1,500 W heater running 8 hours uses 12 kWh a day, which is $2.04 at 17 cents per kWh.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find my appliance wattage?
Look for a label on the back or bottom of the appliance, or in its manual. If it lists amps instead, multiply amps by volts (120 V for most US outlets) to get watts. A plug-in power meter gives the most accurate reading.
What electricity rate should I use?
Use the price per kWh on your electric bill. Divide the total energy charge by the kWh used. The default of 17 cents is a rough US residential average, and your actual rate may be higher or lower.
Why is my real cost different from this estimate?
Many appliances cycle on and off, so they draw full power only part of the time. Enter the hours it is actually running, not the hours it is plugged in. Tiered or time-of-use rates also change the real cost.
Related tools
How the numbers are produced: see our methodology.