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Electricity cost calculator
Compare two appliances or usage patterns in kWh and money. Choose an editable example or enter the measured power, quantity, operating time, and price from your bill.
1. Enter your electricity price
Use the total per-kWh rate from your bill when possible. Selecting cents or pence divides the entered price by 100; changing currency does not convert rates.
2. Compare two scenarios
Preset wattages and usage times are illustrative starting points. Appliances with thermostats, compressors, variable-speed motors, or standby modes rarely draw their nameplate maximum continuously.
3. Estimated energy and running costs
Alternative use saves
$109.50 per year50.0% less than Current use| Measure | Current use | Alternative use |
|---|---|---|
| Daily energy | 3 kWh | 1.5 kWh |
| 30-day energy | 90 kWh | 45 kWh |
| Annual energy | 1,095 kWh | 547.5 kWh |
| Daily cost | $0.60 | $0.30 |
| 30-day cost | $18.00 | $9.00 |
| 365-day cost | $219.00 | $109.50 |
Calculated at $0.20 per kWh. Results use 30 days for a month and 365 days for a year.
Formula and worked example
Daily energy = power in watts ÷ 1,000 × hours used per day × quantity. Cost is energy in kWh multiplied by your price per kWh. One 1,500-watt appliance running for two hours uses 3 kWh. At 0.20 per kWh, that costs 0.60 per day, 18.00 per 30 days, or 219.00 per 365 days.
Where to find appliance power
Use measured average power from a suitable plug-in energy monitor or an appliance energy label. A nameplate may show maximum input rather than typical consumption. Convert kilowatts to watts by multiplying by 1,000; for example, 1.5 kW equals 1,500 W.
What this estimate leaves out
This calculator estimates appliance energy at one constant rate. It excludes fixed bill charges, demand charges, taxes outside the entered rate, seasonal changes, and time-of-use pricing. Calculate each tariff period separately if your price changes during the day.
Electricity-cost questions
How do you calculate an appliance electricity cost?
Multiply power in kilowatts by operating hours to get kilowatt-hours, then multiply by your electricity price per kWh. This calculator converts watts and weekly use before applying that formula.
Can I calculate several appliances?
Use quantity for several identical appliances. For different appliances, calculate each load separately and add their annual energy or cost.
Are the appliance presets exact?
No. They are editable examples, not claims about every model. Use an energy label, manufacturer specification, or suitable energy monitor for a better input.
Read the complete electricity-cost guide or compare solar savings.
Reference: U.S. Energy Information Administration: measuring electricity.