Electricity Cost CalculatorWhat do your appliances cost to run per day, month and year?
Add your appliances, their wattage and how long you use them to see the electricity cost per day, month and year, how many kWh you use, and which appliance costs you the most. Defaults use the US average rate from the EIA.
- EIA 2026 average rate
- 20 appliance presets
- Cost breakdown chart
- Any currency
Electricity cost calculator
US average ≈ $0.18/kWh in 2026 (EIA). Check the “price per kWh” line on your bill, including delivery charges.
Estimated cost
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per month
Where the money goes
How do you calculate the electricity cost of an appliance?
Multiply the appliance’s wattage by the hours you use it, divide by 1,000 to get kilowatt-hours (kWh), then multiply by your electricity rate. A 1,500 W space heater run 6 hours a day uses 9 kWh a day. At $0.18 per kWh that is $1.62 a day, or about $49 a month. Heating, cooling, water heating and EV charging are usually the biggest items on a home bill.
Electricity cost formula
kWh per day = Watts × Hours per day ÷ 1,000Cost per day = kWh per day × Rate ($/kWh)Cost per month = Cost per day × Days used per monthFinding the watts: check the label on the back or bottom of the appliance, or its manual. If it lists amps, multiply by your voltage (120 V in the US) to get watts. A fridge’s label shows its maximum draw, but the compressor cycles on and off, so its average is much lower. That’s why the preset uses about 60 W.
What common appliances cost to run (at $0.18/kWh)
Typical wattages vary by model. Check your appliance’s label and edit the numbers in the calculator.
| Appliance | Typical watts | Cost per hour | Typical use | Cost per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Space heater | 1,500 W | $0.270 | 6 h/day | $48.60 |
| Central air conditioner | 3,500 W | $0.630 | 8 h/day | $151.20 |
| Window AC unit | 1,000 W | $0.180 | 8 h/day | $43.20 |
| Refrigerator (average draw) | 60 W | $0.011 | 24 h/day | $7.78 |
| Electric water heater | 4,000 W | $0.720 | 3 h/day | $64.80 |
| Clothes dryer | 3,000 W | $0.540 | 1 h/day | $16.20 |
| Washing machine | 500 W | $0.090 | 1 h/day | $2.70 |
| Dishwasher | 1,800 W | $0.324 | 1 h/day | $9.72 |
| Electric oven | 2,400 W | $0.432 | 1 h/day | $12.96 |
| Microwave | 1,100 W | $0.198 | 0.3 h/day | $1.78 |
| LED TV (55-inch) | 100 W | $0.018 | 5 h/day | $2.70 |
| Desktop computer | 200 W | $0.036 | 6 h/day | $6.48 |
| Laptop | 50 W | $0.009 | 8 h/day | $2.16 |
| Gaming console | 150 W | $0.027 | 3 h/day | $2.43 |
| Wi-Fi router | 10 W | $0.002 | 24 h/day | $1.30 |
| LED bulb | 9 W | $0.002 | 5 h/day | $0.24 |
| Ceiling fan | 60 W | $0.011 | 8 h/day | $2.59 |
| Hair dryer | 1,500 W | $0.270 | 0.2 h/day | $1.62 |
| EV charging (Level 2) | 7,200 W | $1.296 | 2 h/day | $77.76 |
| Dehumidifier | 500 W | $0.090 | 8 h/day | $21.60 |
Ways to cut your electricity bill
Target the biggest load first
A 1-hour cut on a 1,500 W heater saves more than switching off ten LED bulbs for a whole day. The donut chart shows where to focus.
Kill standby (“vampire”) power
TVs, consoles and chargers on standby can add up to around 5–10% of a home’s use. A smart power strip cuts them off.
Use time-of-use rates
If your utility has cheaper off-peak prices, run the dishwasher, laundry and EV charging overnight.
Upgrade efficiently
ENERGY STAR appliances and heat pumps use much less electricity than older models and resistance heaters.
Related calculators
Household costs work together. These tools help with the rest:
More Household Money & Bills calculators in this cluster:
Manzoor Ahmad
Calculator Developer · Founder of DexoCalc
I’m a pharmacist turned web developer with 13+ years of experience building web tools. I run a pharmacy with fridges that never switch off, so I built this calculator to show the real numbers. The default rate comes from the US Energy Information Administration’s 2026 outlook, and the appliance wattages follow Department of Energy guidance on estimating appliance use.
Published · Last reviewed · Author profile · Report an issue
Electricity costs: frequently asked questions
At $0.18 per kWh, a 1,500 W heater costs about $0.27 an hour. Six hours a day is $1.62 a day, or about $49 a month.
kWh = watts × hours ÷ 1,000. A 100 W TV used for 5 hours uses 0.5 kWh.
About 18 cents per kWh for homes in 2026, according to the US Energy Information Administration. State rates range from around 11–12 cents in the cheapest states to over 40 cents in Hawaii. Use the rate on your own bill for the most accurate result.
Bills add fixed monthly charges, delivery fees, taxes and sometimes tiered or time-of-use pricing. Some appliances also draw more than their typical rating. Use your bill’s all-in price per kWh to get closer.
Most modern refrigerators use about 1–2 kWh a day (roughly 400–600 kWh a year), an average draw of about 40–80 W, even though the label shows a higher peak wattage.
Estimate each person’s high-use appliances here, then split the rest evenly. The rent split calculator handles the rent itself.
Sources & references
- Estimating Appliance and Home Electronic Energy Use, US Department of Energy, Energy Saver
- Short-Term Energy Outlook: residential electricity prices, US Energy Information Administration
- Electric Power Monthly (average price by state), US Energy Information Administration
- ENERGY STAR, US EPA / DOE
Estimates only. Actual consumption depends on the model, settings, climate and usage, and bills include fixed charges and taxes.