How much does an appliance cost to run?
Multiply the energy used in kilowatt-hours by your electricity rate. Watts and operating time can estimate energy use when measured kWh is unavailable.
Free tools / Appliance Running Cost Calculator
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Appliance Running Cost Calculator
Estimate electricity use and cost from average watts, daily use and your electricity rate.
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Cycling appliances do not continuously draw their rated maximum power. Use measured average consumption or the EnergyGuide label when available. Fixed utility fees are excluded.
How to use this calculator
- Use measured average wattage or a realistic equivalent run time.
- Find the per-kWh rate on your electric bill; exclude fixed charges.
- Change the inputs to compare different use patterns.
How the calculation works
Monthly kWh = watts ÷ 1,000 × equivalent operating hours per day × days per month. Multiply kWh by your electricity rate for monthly cost. Annual cost uses 365 days.
Worked example
A 1,000-watt appliance used one hour daily at $0.15/kWh costs $4.50 over 30 days and about $54.75 over 365 days.
What this estimate can tell you
Cycling appliances do not continuously draw their rated maximum power. Use measured average consumption or the EnergyGuide label when available. Fixed utility fees are excluded.
The result changes when you change the assumptions. It is a planning aid, and does not measure your accounts, device or actual usage.
Related questions
How do I convert watts to kWh?
Divide watts by 1,000 to get kilowatts, then multiply by hours of operation. A 1,000-watt device running for one hour uses 1 kWh if its power draw stays constant.
How do I compare electricity costs between appliances?
Compare energy use over the same period and apply the same electricity rate. If labels provide annual kWh, multiply each figure by your rate for a consistent estimate.
Keep the records behind your estimates.
Home Tech Vault keeps home devices, receipts, warranties and maintenance records together. These free estimates are not automatically saved to your vault.
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