? Electricity Cost Calculator

Calculate running costs for any appliance, estimate your monthly electric bill, and find ways to reduce energy expenses.

Appliance Running Cost

Wattage (Power)

Watts

Hours Used Per Day

hours

Electricity Rate

$/kWh

Running Cost

$28.80

per month

Daily kWh

8 kWh

Monthly kWh

240 kWh

Daily Cost

$0.96

Yearly Cost

$345.60

Cost Breakdown

Per hour $0.12

Per day $0.96

Per week $6.72

Per month $28.80

Monthly Bill Estimator

Household Size

Home Size

Climate / AC Usage

Your Electricity Rate ($/kWh)

$/kWh

Estimated Bill

$120

estimated monthly bill

Estimated kWh/Month

1,000 kWh

Daily Average

33.3 kWh

Annual Cost

$1,440

vs. US Average

-10%

Compare Two Appliances

Appliance A (Old/Standard)

Wattage

Appliance B (New/Efficient)

Wattage

Hours Used Per Day

Electricity Rate ($/kWh)

Comparison Results

Appliance A - Annual Cost

$35.04

Appliance B - Annual Cost

$5.26

$29.78

annual savings with Appliance B

Monthly Savings

$2.48

Energy Reduction

85%

5-Year Savings

$148.90

10-Year Savings

$297.80

Understanding Electricity Costs

Your electricity bill is based on how much energy you use, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Understanding this can help you identify where to save money.

The Basic Formula

Cost = (Watts × Hours Used × Rate per kWh) × 1000

Example: A 1000W heater used for 8 hours at $0.12/kWh:
(1000 × 8 × 0.12) × 1000 = $0.96 per day

What is a kWh?

A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the amount of energy consumed by a 1,000-watt appliance running for one hour. It's the standard unit for measuring electricity usage and what you're billed for.

Average Electricity Rates

US National Average: $0.12-0.15 per kWh
Low-cost states (TX, WA, LA): $0.08-0.10 per kWh
High-cost states (CA, HI, CT): $0.20-0.35 per kWh
Europe Average: ×0.20-0.30 per kWh

Common Appliance Power Usage

Appliance	Typical Wattage	Avg Daily Use	Monthly Cost*
LED Light Bulb	10W	5 hours	$0.18
Incandescent Bulb	60W	5 hours	$1.08
Laptop Computer	50-100W	8 hours	$2.88
Desktop Computer	200-500W	8 hours	$11.52
Refrigerator	100-400W	24 hours	$8-16
Central AC	3000-5000W	8 hours	$86-144
Electric Water Heater	4000-5500W	3 hours	$43-60
Washing Machine	500W	1 hour/load	$2.40 (8 loads)
Electric Dryer	3000W	1 hour/load	$14.40 (8 loads)
TV (LED, 55")	80-120W	5 hours	$1.80

*Based on $0.12/kWh

Money-Saving Tips

Switch to LED

LED bulbs use 75% less energy than incandescent and last 25 times longer. Replace your 5 most-used lights first.

Save $75/year

Smart Thermostat

Program heating/cooling to reduce when you're away or sleeping. A smart thermostat can cut HVAC costs 10-15%.

Save $150/year

Kill Vampire Loads

Standby power costs the average home $100/year. Use power strips and unplug devices when not in use.

Save $100/year

Cold Water Wash

90% of washing machine energy goes to heating water. Cold water cleans most clothes just as well.

Save $60/year

Line Dry When Possible

Clothes dryers are energy hogs. Air-drying even half your loads can save significant money.

Save $85/year

Adjust Water Heater

Lower water heater to 120×F. Most are set to 140×F by default, wasting energy and risking scalding.

Save $50/year

? Average Electricity Rates by US State (2026)

Electricity prices vary dramatically by state due to fuel mix, infrastructure, and regulatory environments. The US average is approximately 16.2×/kWh in 2026. Your annual electricity bill depends on both rate and usage:

State	Avg Rate (×/kWh)	Avg Monthly Usage (kWh)	Avg Monthly Bill
Hawaii	39.0×	545	$213
Connecticut	27.2×	690	$188
Massachusetts	24.6×	580	$143
California	24.1×	575	$139
New York	21.3×	600	$128
Florida	15.1×	1,142	$172
Texas	13.6×	1,156	$157
Ohio	13.2×	900	$119
Washington State	10.1×	975	$98
Louisiana	9.8×	1,250	$123

Energy Efficiency Quick Wins: In a typical US home, heating/cooling = 46% of bill, water heating = 14%, appliances = 13%, lighting = 9%. Switching to LED lighting saves $75×$100/year. A programmable thermostat saves 10×12% on heating and 15% on cooling. Unplugging vampire electronics (TVs, game consoles, chargers) can save $100×$200/year × they consume power 24/7 when plugged in even when "off."

? Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find my appliance's wattage? +

Check the label on the appliance (usually on the back or bottom), look in the user manual, or search online with your model number. For devices with power adapters, check the adapter. If you see amps instead of watts, multiply: Watts = Volts × Amps (e.g., 120V × 2A = 240W).

Why is my electric bill so high? +

Common culprits: HVAC (40-60% of bills), water heater (15-20%), old refrigerators, vampire loads (devices on standby), inefficient lighting, or rate increases. Check for unusual usage patterns, ensure appliances are working properly, and look for air leaks if heating/cooling costs are high.

What uses the most electricity in a home? +

1. Heating & Cooling (40-50%), 2. Water Heater (15-20%), 3. Washer & Dryer (13%), 4. Lighting (12%), 5. Refrigerator (4%), 6. Electric Oven (3-4%), 7. TV & Electronics (4%). Focus savings efforts on the big items first.

Does turning appliances off and on use more power? +

This is a myth! Modern appliances don't have significant startup surges that outweigh idle consumption. Always turn off lights and appliances when not in use. The only exception might be devices that take a long time to warm up (like some older computers), but even then, turning off is usually better for anything longer than a few minutes.

How much can solar panels save? +

Solar panels can reduce or eliminate your electric bill. Average savings are $1,000-1,500/year in sunny states. A typical 6kW system costs $12,000-18,000 after tax credits and pays for itself in 7-12 years. With 25-30 year lifespans, lifetime savings can exceed $30,000.