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Appliance Running Cost Calculator

Work out what an appliance costs to run per day, month and year from its wattage, hours of use and your electricity rate.

Common examples (typical values, check your label)
W
h
%

Fridges and heaters with thermostats cycle on and off.

¢/kWh

Change the area above or type your own rate from your bill.

Cost per day$0.36
Cost per month$11.05
Cost per year$132.57
Energy per year730 kWh

1,000 W × 2 h ÷ 1,000 = 2 kWh a day. × 18.16¢/kWh = $0.36 a day; × 365 days = $132.57 a year.

The daily supply charge is not included, as it does not change with the appliance.

Fig. 1 What this appliance costs to run.

Every formula is tested against worked examples. How we check

Hours a dayPer dayPer year
1 h$0.18$66.28
2 h$0.36$132.57
4 h$0.73$265.14
8 h$1.45$530.27
12 h$2.18$795.41
24 h$4.36$1,590.82

Fig. 2 The same appliance used for more or fewer hours.

Last checked 11/10/2026. Sources: U.S. Department of Energy: Estimating appliance and home electronic energy use; U.S. Energy Information Administration: Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A.

Guide

How the cost is worked out

The US Department of Energy gives the method: (watts × hours used per day) ÷ 1,000 = kWh per day. Multiply by the days of use for a year, then by your electricity rate per kWh.

Example. A 1,500 W space heater running 8 hours a day uses 12 kWh a day. At 20 cents per kWh that is $2.40 a day.

The electricity rate

The default rate is the average residential price in your state from the EIA’s Electric Power Monthly (August 2026). It is a state-wide monthly average, including delivery charges, so your own rate may differ. Enter your bill’s figure for an exact answer.

Wattage and duty cycle

Check the label for the wattage, remembering that it is often the maximum. Appliances with thermostats or motors, such as fridges and heaters, only run part of the time, so use the "runs this % of the time" box. The preset wattages are typical figures, not data for your model.

What is not included

Fixed daily charges, taxes that depend on your plan, time-of-use rates and solar are not included.

Common questions

How much does it cost to run a space heater?

A 1,500 W heater running continuously uses 1.5 kWh an hour. At 20 cents per kWh that is 30 cents an hour, or $2.40 over 8 hours.

How do I find my rate?

Divide the electricity charges on your bill by the kWh used. The state average is a good starting point.

Do standby appliances cost much?

A device drawing 5 W all year uses about 44 kWh, which is under $10 at typical rates. Adding many of them up can matter.

Why does my fridge use less than its wattage suggests?

Because the compressor cycles on and off. Use the duty cycle box, or the annual kWh on the EnergyGuide label.

What next?

Electricity rates