Appliance Energy Cost Calculator
Enter any appliance's wattage and how long you use it each day to see exactly what it adds to your electricity bill. Pick a preset or enter a custom wattage.
Last verified: April 27, 2026
Running cost estimate
- Daily cost
- $0.52
- Monthly cost
- $15.71
- Yearly cost
- $188.50
- Energy used per month
- 90.0 kWh
Estimate only. Does not include fixed charges, taxes, or delivery fees.
How this is calculated
Energy cost is calculated from wattage, hours of use, and the electricity rate.
kWh per day = Watts ÷ 1,000 × Hours per day × (Days per week ÷ 7)
Monthly cost = kWh/day × 30.44 × Rate
Yearly cost = kWh/day × 365.25 × Rate
Example: 1,500 W × 2 hrs × 7/7 ÷ 1,000 × 30.44 × $0.1745 = $15.71/monthAssumptions
- Wattage is the rated power draw (actual draw may vary slightly)
- Hours represent active running time, not clock time (e.g. a refrigerator cycles)
- Days per week is averaged across the year
- Rate is assumed flat (no tiered or time-of-use pricing)
Common appliances at US average rate
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Est. monthly cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric water heater | 4,500 | ~3 hrs/day | $71.71/mo |
| Central AC (3 ton) | 3,500 | ~4 hrs/day | $74.36/mo |
| Electric dryer | 5,000 | ~1 hr/day | $26.56/mo |
| Electric oven | 2,000 | ~1 hr/day | $10.62/mo |
| Space heater | 1,500 | ~4 hrs/day | $31.87/mo |
| Dishwasher | 1,500 | ~1 hr/day | $7.97/mo |
| Refrigerator (modern) | 150 | ~8 hrs/day | $6.37/mo |
| Desktop computer | 200 | ~6 hrs/day | $6.37/mo |
| 65" LED TV | 150 | ~4 hrs/day | $3.19/mo |
| LED bulb (60W equiv.) | 10 | ~5 hrs/day | $0.27/mo |
Based on US average $0.1745/kWh. Actual costs vary with usage patterns and cycling behaviour.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find the wattage of my appliance? ▾
Check the label on the back or bottom of the appliance — it will show watts (W) or amps (A). If it shows amps, multiply by your voltage (120V in the US, 230V in the UK) to get watts. You can also find typical wattages in product manuals or on the manufacturer's website.
What is the difference between watts and kilowatt-hours? ▾
Watts measure power (how fast energy is used right now). Kilowatt-hours (kWh) measure energy (total electricity consumed over time). A 1,000-watt appliance running for 1 hour uses 1 kWh.
Why does my bill seem higher than the calculator shows? ▾
This calculator estimates energy cost only. Your actual bill also includes fixed monthly charges, delivery fees, taxes, and possibly tiered or time-of-use rates — all of which vary by utility. Use the Electricity Bill Calculator for a fuller estimate.
Which home appliances cost the most to run? ▾
The biggest energy users in a typical home are electric water heaters (4,000–5,500W), central air conditioners (2,000–5,000W), electric dryers (4,000–6,000W), electric ovens (2,000–4,000W), and refrigerators (100–400W but running 24/7).
Does the calculator account for appliances that cycle on and off? ▾
No — the hours-per-day input is for active running hours. Appliances that cycle (like refrigerators and AC units) only run a fraction of the time they're plugged in. For a refrigerator set to run 8 hours per day, enter the actual compressor-on time rather than 24.
Sources
- U.S. Energy Information Administration — Electric Power Monthly — US average residential electricity rate ($0.1745/kWh) (last checked 2026-04-27)
- U.S. DOE — Appliance Energy Use Chart — Typical appliance wattage reference values (last checked 2026-04-27)