🔌 Electricity Bill by Appliance Calculator
Add up to 6 appliances with their wattage and daily hours of use to get an itemized monthly cost breakdown — see exactly which devices are driving your electric bill.
Last Updated: July 10, 2026
Your Appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Hours/day |
|---|
Monthly Cost Breakdown
| Appliance | Daily kWh | Monthly Cost |
|---|
📋 Typical Appliance Wattages (Illustrative)
Actual wattage varies by brand, model, size and age. Check the nameplate label on your own appliance (or its power adapter) for the real figure — these are general, typical ranges to help you get started.
| Appliance | Typical Wattage Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | ~100–200W (running avg) | Cycles on/off; use running average, not peak startup watts |
| Window AC unit | ~900–1,500W | Central AC and larger units draw much more |
| Space heater | ~1,200–1,500W | Most run near max wattage continuously while on |
| Flat-screen TV | ~80–120W | Larger / older TVs draw more |
| Microwave | ~900–1,200W | Only while actively cooking |
| Washing machine | ~400–600W | Higher for hot water cycles |
| Dishwasher | ~1,200–1,800W | Heated dry cycle uses the most |
| Desktop computer | ~150–250W | Gaming PCs can exceed 400W |
| LED light bulb | ~8–12W | Far less than older incandescent (~60W) |
💡 Running Average vs. Peak Wattage
Compressor-based appliances (fridges, ACs) cycle on and off, so use a running average rather than the peak startup wattage for the most realistic monthly estimate. A kill-a-watt meter gives the most accurate reading for your specific unit.
🔋 How This Calculator Works
Daily Energy per Appliance
Daily kWh = Watts ÷ 1000 × Hours Used Per Day
Monthly Cost per Appliance
Monthly Cost = Daily kWh × 30 × Electricity Rate ($/kWh)
Example: A 1,000W window AC running 6 hours/day at $0.16/kWh: (1000/1000) × 6 × 30 × 0.16 = $28.80/month.
Total Bill Estimate
Add every appliance's monthly cost together for your itemized total. This won't match your full utility bill exactly (it excludes base/delivery fees and any appliances you didn't list), but it shows relative cost per device.
💡 Real-World Examples & Use Cases
Three itemized breakdowns at an illustrative $0.16/kWh rate.
Studio apartment
Fridge (150W, 24h), TV (100W, 5h), laptop (65W, 6h).
Result: $17.28 + $2.40 + $1.87 = $21.55/month.
Family home in summer
Window AC (1,000W, 6h/day), fridge (150W, 24h), washer (500W, ~26 min/day average).
Result: $28.80 + $17.28 + $1.03 = $47.11/month.
Home office in winter
Desktop (200W, 8h), monitor (30W, 8h), space heater (1,500W, 4h).
Result: $7.68 + $1.15 + $28.80 = $37.63/month.
⚠️ Common Mistakes & Pro Tips
- Using peak wattage instead of running average: A fridge's compressor cycles on and off — use an average, not the label's max startup wattage.
- Forgetting standby "vampire" loads: Chargers, game consoles, and TVs on standby still draw a small amount 24/7 — it adds up across a household.
- Ignoring seasonal swings: AC and heater hours vary a lot by month — recalculate for summer and winter separately.
- Assuming this matches your utility bill exactly: Delivery charges, taxes, and tiered/time-of-use rates aren't included here — this is a device-level estimate.
🔍 People Also Ask
Which appliances use the most electricity?
Heating and cooling (space heaters, AC units) and anything with a heating element (dryers, water heaters, ovens) are usually the biggest draws, followed by always-on devices like fridges.
How do I find my appliance's wattage?
Check the nameplate label (often on the back or bottom), the user manual, or the power adapter. If it lists amps and volts, multiply them: Watts = Volts × Amps.
Why doesn't this match my actual electric bill?
Your bill includes fixed delivery/service fees, taxes, and every device in your home — not just the ones you entered here. Use this tool for relative comparisons between appliances.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find an appliance\u2019s wattage?
Check the nameplate label (usually on the back or bottom), the user manual, or the power adapter. If it lists volts and amps instead, multiply them: Watts = Volts × Amps.
Should I use running average or peak wattage for the fridge and AC?
Use a running average. Compressor-based appliances cycle on and off, so the label\u2019s peak startup wattage overstates typical draw. A running average of ~100\u2013200W for a fridge is more realistic than its startup spike.
Which appliances usually cost the most to run?
Anything that heats or cools — space heaters, window/central AC, electric water heaters, and clothes dryers — typically costs the most, followed by always-on devices like refrigerators.
Does turning appliances off and on use more electricity than leaving them running?
For most modern appliances, no. Startup surges are brief and don\u2019t outweigh the energy used while idling for more than a few minutes. Turning things off when not in use almost always saves money.
How much do standby "vampire" loads add to my bill?
Small, but it adds up: chargers, game consoles, and TVs left plugged in on standby can add several dollars a month per household when totaled across many devices.
Can I use this for more than 6 appliances?
This tool supports 6 rows at a time. For more devices, calculate a second batch and add the totals together, or prioritize your highest-wattage, longest-running appliances first since they matter most.
Is this the same as the site\u2019s Electricity Cost Calculator?
No — the Electricity Cost Calculator estimates one device or a whole-home bill at a time. This calculator itemizes several appliances side-by-side so you can compare and see which ones drive your bill the most.