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Electricity Cost Calculator

Use this electricity cost calculator to estimate what an appliance costs to run. Pick an appliance, adjust its wattage and how often you use it, and enter the price per kWh from your bill.

Inputs

Example rate
USD / kWh

An editable example for United States, not an official rate. Prices vary by region, provider and plan — replace it with the price per kWh on your electricity bill.

Central systems often draw 3,000–5,000 W.

watts

Typical example — replace it with the figure on your appliance label.

h
days

Estimated cost · Air conditioner (room / window)

Estimated $496.74 per year, $41.40 per month.

$496.74/ year

$0.17 for each hour it runs · USD

Per day
$1.36
8 kWh
Per month
$41.40
243.5 kWh
Per year
$496.74
2,922 kWh

How this was calculated

  1. 8 h × 7 days ÷ 7 = 8 h average running time per day
  2. 1,000 W × 8 h ÷ 1000 = 8 kWh per day while running
  3. 8 kWh × $0.17 = $1.36 per day
  4. Month = 30.4375 days, year = 365.25 days (averages that include leap years)

Estimate only. It doesn’t include taxes, fixed service or supply charges, demand charges, time-of-use or tiered pricing, or other fees, so it won’t match your bill exactly.

Compare two appliances or schedules

Uses the same country and price per kWh as above.

How the calculation works

The formula

  • EnergykWh = watts × hours ÷ 1000
  • Costcost = kWh × price per kWh

Example: a 1,000 W air conditioner running 8 hours uses 8 kWh. At 0.17 per kWh that is 1.36 per day.

Assumptions

  • Weekly schedules are averaged. Hours per day × days per week ÷ 7 gives average running hours per day.
  • A month is 30.4375 days and a year is 365.25 days, the long-run averages including leap years.
  • Wattage is constant while the appliance runs. Many appliances cycle or vary with settings, so use an average figure where you can.
  • Standby power, if entered, applies to every hour the appliance isn't running.

Finding an appliance's wattage

Check the rating label (usually on the back or inside the door) or the manual. If it lists amps instead of watts, multiply amps by your mains voltage — for example 120 V in the United States and Canada, or 230 V in Australia. A plug-in energy monitor gives the most accurate reading for appliances that cycle, such as fridges.

Typical running wattage ranges for common appliances
ApplianceTypical range
Refrigerator (average over a day)30–100 W
Television50–200 W
Laptop / desktop computer30–300 W
Washing machine400–1,000 W
Room air conditioner500–1,500 W
Space heater750–1,500 W
Dishwasher1,200–2,400 W
Electric clothes dryer1,800–5,000 W
EV charger (Level 2)3,300–11,500 W

Ranges are general examples, not measurements of specific models.

What this estimate leaves out

The result prices only the energy the appliance uses. Your actual bill may also include fixed daily or monthly supply charges, taxes and levies, demand charges, time-of-use or tiered pricing, and credits such as solar feed-in. Treat the figure as a guide for comparing appliances and habits, not a bill forecast.

Frequently asked questions

How do I work out the cost of running an appliance?+

Multiply its power in watts by the hours it runs, divide by 1,000 to get kilowatt-hours (kWh), then multiply by your price per kWh. A 1,500 W heater used for 4 hours uses 6 kWh; at 0.20 per kWh that is 1.20 in your currency.

Where do I find my electricity price per kWh?+

It is printed on your electricity bill or plan details, often as a usage or energy charge in cents per kWh. If your plan has several rates (peak, off-peak or tiers), use the one that applies when the appliance usually runs.

Why doesn't the estimate match my bill?+

Bills usually add fixed daily or monthly supply charges, taxes, demand charges and time-of-use or tiered pricing. This calculator only prices the energy an appliance uses, and it relies on the wattage and hours you enter.

Are the default prices official national rates?+

No. Each country starts with an editable example rate so the calculator shows a figure straight away. Prices vary widely by region, provider and plan, so replace it with the rate on your bill.

What is standby power?+

Some devices draw a little power while plugged in but switched off or idle. If you enter a standby wattage, it is counted for every hour the appliance is not running, including days you don't use it.

What is a kilowatt-hour (kWh)?+

The unit electricity is sold in: 1,000 watts used for one hour. A 100 W TV running for 10 hours uses 1 kWh, and so does a 2,000 W kettle running for 30 minutes. Your bill multiplies the kWh you use by your price per kWh.

How much does it cost to run a space heater?+

A 1,500 W heater uses 1.5 kWh every hour it runs. At 0.17 per kWh that's about 0.26 an hour, and 4 hours a day comes to about 31.05 a month. Heaters with a thermostat cycle on and off, so real use is often lower than the full wattage.

How much electricity does a refrigerator use?+

A typical modern fridge averages roughly 30–100 W over a day because its compressor cycles. At an average of 60 W it uses 1.4 kWh a day and about 526 kWh a year — about 89.41 a year at 0.17 per kWh. The yearly kWh figure on an energy label is the most reliable number to use.

How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home?+

A 7.2 kW Level 2 charger running 2 hours a day, 5 days a week uses about 313.1 kWh a month, roughly 53.22 at 0.17 per kWh. Charging losses and any off-peak EV rate on your plan change the real figure, so enter your own rate and charging hours.

How do I convert amps to watts?+

Multiply the amps by the voltage: watts = volts × amps. A device rated 10 A on a 120 V US circuit can draw up to 1,200 W; on a 230 V supply the same 10 A is 2,300 W. The rating is a maximum, so the real average is often lower.

Can I compare two appliances?+

Yes. Choose “Add a comparison” to set up a second appliance or schedule — for example an old fridge against a new one — and see both costs side by side. Copy link shares the exact values you entered.

Is my information stored or sent anywhere?+

No. Calculations run in your browser and nothing you enter is uploaded or saved. If you copy a share link, the values are included in that link only.

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