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Electricity Cost Calculator — Find Your Appliance Running Cost [2026]

Enter wattage and usage hours, get daily, monthly & yearly electricity costs instantly. Includes AC, heater, PC & fridge presets. Free, no signup required.

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Monthly kWh
90.0
Monthly Cost
$14.40
Annual Cost
$175.20

Total Electricity Cost

Monthly Usage
90.0 kWh
Monthly Cost
$14.40
Annual Cost
$175.20

What is Electricity Cost Calculator?

The Electricity Cost Calculator helps you understand how much each appliance costs to run. By entering the wattage, daily usage hours, and your electricity rate, you can identify which appliances are driving up your electric bill. The tool includes convenient presets for common household appliances so you don't need to look up wattage ratings.

How to Use Electricity Cost Calculator

Enter the wattage of your appliance (or select a preset for common appliances), the number of hours you use it per day, and your local electricity rate in $/kWh. The calculator instantly shows your daily, monthly, and yearly electricity costs for that appliance.

How Electricity Cost Calculator Works

The calculator converts wattage to kilowatts (dividing by 1000), multiplies by daily usage hours to get daily kWh consumption, then multiplies by your electricity rate. Monthly cost is calculated assuming 30 days per month, and yearly cost uses 365 days. The formula is: Cost = (Watts / 1000) x Hours per Day x Days x Rate per kWh.

Common Use Cases

  • Identifying the most expensive appliances on your electric bill
  • Comparing energy costs between old and new appliances to justify upgrades
  • Calculating the cost of running a space heater, AC unit, or gaming PC
  • Estimating the electricity cost of a home office setup
  • Budgeting for monthly electricity expenses
  • Deciding whether to switch to energy-efficient alternatives

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find the wattage of my appliance?

Check the label on the appliance (usually on the back or bottom), look in the user manual, or search for the model number online. You can also use a plug-in electricity monitor (like a Kill-a-Watt meter) for the most accurate reading.

What is the average US electricity rate?

The average US residential electricity rate is approximately $0.16 per kWh. However, rates vary widely by state — from about $0.10/kWh in states like Idaho to over $0.30/kWh in Hawaii and parts of New England.

Which appliances use the most electricity?

The biggest electricity consumers are typically: central air conditioning (3,000-5,000W), electric water heaters (4,000-5,500W), clothes dryers (2,000-5,000W), space heaters (1,000-1,500W), and electric ovens (2,000-5,000W).

How can I reduce my electricity costs?

Use LED bulbs, unplug devices when not in use, use smart power strips, run appliances during off-peak hours, maintain HVAC filters, upgrade to Energy Star appliances, and adjust your thermostat by a few degrees.

Does this calculator account for standby power?

No, this calculator measures active usage cost. Many devices consume standby (phantom) power when plugged in but not actively used, typically 1-10 watts per device, which can add up across all household electronics.

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