Electricity Cost Calculator
Estimate your electricity costs based on appliance wattage, usage hours, and electricity rates.
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What is Electricity Cost Calculator?
An electricity cost calculator estimates how much it costs to run an appliance or device based on its wattage, usage hours, and your local electricity rate. It helps identify energy-hungry devices and find opportunities to reduce your power bill.
How to Use
- Enter the device's wattage (found on its label or manual)
- Enter how many hours per day you use it
- Enter your electricity rate ($/kWh from your utility bill)
- View the daily, monthly, and annual cost to run that device
Formula
Cost = (Watts x Hours / 1000) x Price per kWh
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a kilowatt-hour (kWh)?
- A kWh is using 1,000 watts of power for one hour. A 100W light bulb running for 10 hours uses 1 kWh. It's the standard unit for billing on your electric bill.
- What is the average electricity rate in the US?
- The national average is roughly $0.16/kWh, but rates vary widely -- from $0.10/kWh in states like Louisiana to over $0.30/kWh in Hawaii and Connecticut.
- Which home appliances use the most electricity?
- Central air conditioning, electric water heaters, clothes dryers, and space heaters are typically the biggest energy consumers. A central AC can use 3,000-5,000 watts.