Calculate electricity costs for your appliances and devices. Enter wattage, daily usage hours, and your electricity rate to estimate daily, monthly, and yearly energy expenses. Track multiple devices and identify energy-saving opportunities.
Average US rate is $0.13/kWh. Check your utility bill for your exact rate.
Electricity costs are calculated based on power consumption (measured in watts), usage time (hours), and your utility rate (cost per kilowatt-hour or kWh). One kilowatt-hour represents 1,000 watts used for one hour. For example, a 100-watt light bulb running for 10 hours consumes 1 kWh of electricity.
The average residential electricity rate in the United States is approximately $0.13 per kWh, but rates vary significantly by state and utility provider. Hawaii has the highest rates at around $0.30/kWh, while states like Louisiana and Washington have rates as low as $0.09/kWh. Check your utility bill to find your exact rate for accurate calculations.
| Appliance | Typical Watts | Daily Usage | Monthly Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 150W | 24 hours | $14.04 |
| Central Air Conditioner | 3,500W | 8 hours | $109.20 |
| Electric Dryer | 3,000W | 1 hour | $11.70 |
| Electric Water Heater | 4,500W | 3 hours | $52.65 |
| Dishwasher | 1,800W | 1 hour | $7.02 |
| Desktop Computer | 200W | 8 hours | $6.24 |
| LED TV (55") | 150W | 5 hours | $2.93 |
| Laptop | 50W | 8 hours | $1.56 |
| LED Light Bulb (60W equiv.) | 10W | 5 hours | $0.20 |
| Ceiling Fan | 75W | 12 hours | $3.51 |
*Based on $0.13/kWh electricity rate
Your electricity rate is listed on your monthly utility bill, usually expressed as cents per kWh or dollars per kWh. Look for terms like "energy charge," "supply charge," or "rate per kWh." Some bills show tiered rates that increase with higher usage.
Call your electric company or check their website for current rates. Many utilities offer online account access where you can view your rate schedule, including any time-of-use pricing or seasonal variations.
Some utilities charge different rates based on time of day. Peak hours (typically 2-8 PM) cost more, while off-peak hours (nights and weekends) cost less. If you have time-of-use pricing, calculate costs separately for peak and off-peak usage.
Your bill may include delivery charges, transmission fees, taxes, and other surcharges beyond the base energy rate. For the most accurate total cost estimate, add these fees to your per-kWh rate or calculate them separately.
LED bulbs use 75-80% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 25 times longer. Replacing ten 60W incandescent bulbs with 10W LEDs saves approximately $65 per year at $0.13/kWh, assuming 5 hours daily use.
Annual Savings: $65 per 10 bulbs
Heating and cooling account for nearly half of home energy use. Setting your thermostat back 7-10°F for 8 hours daily can save 10% annually on heating and cooling costs. Use a programmable thermostat to automate adjustments.
Annual Savings: $180 on average
Devices in standby mode (TVs, chargers, computers) consume 5-10% of residential electricity. Use power strips to easily disconnect multiple devices, or unplug chargers and appliances when not in use to eliminate phantom power draw.
Annual Savings: $100-$200
Energy Star certified appliances use 10-50% less energy than standard models. A new Energy Star refrigerator uses about 40% less energy than models from 2001, saving $270 over its lifetime. Focus on replacing the oldest, least efficient appliances first.
Lifetime Savings: $270+ per appliance
To calculate the annual cost of running an appliance, use this formula: (Watts × Hours per Day × Days per Year) ÷ 1,000 × Cost per kWh. Here are detailed examples for common scenarios:
Newer Energy Star refrigerators use 100-120W, reducing annual costs to $114-$137.
Using a programmable thermostat to raise temperature when away can reduce costs by 20-30%.
Switching to a laptop (50W) instead of desktop saves approximately $51 annually.
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