Appliance Electricity Cost Calculator

Find out exactly how much it costs to run your appliances. Add any device — from a space heater to a gaming PC — and instantly see the daily, monthly, and yearly electricity cost. Identify which appliances are driving up your electric bill.

Appliance Electricity Cost Calculator

US average: ~$0.14/kWh. Check your electric bill for your rate.

W
h/d
$5.04/mo
W
h/d
$3.36/mo
W
h/d
$117.60/mo
Cost Breakdown

Daily

$4.20

30.00 kWh

Monthly (30 days)

$126.00

900.0 kWh

Yearly (365 days)

$1533.00

10950 kWh

Per-Appliance Breakdown

Central Air Conditioner3500W, 8h/day
$117.60/mo
Refrigerator150W, 8h/day
$5.04/mo
TV (55" LED)(x2)80W, 5h/day
$3.36/mo
Total
$126.00/mo

Your Biggest Energy Consumers

1. Central Air Conditioner$117.60/mo (93% of total)
2. Refrigerator$5.04/mo (4% of total)
3. TV (55" LED)$3.36/mo (3% of total)

How to Calculate Appliance Running Cost: Step-by-Step

Knowing how much each appliance costs to run helps you identify energy hogs and make informed decisions about usage and replacements.

Step 1: Find the Wattage From the Nameplate

Look for the wattage label on the appliance, usually on the back or bottom. If only amps are listed, multiply amps by voltage (120V or 240V) to get watts. A dryer rated at 24A on 240V uses about 5,000 watts.

Step 2: Estimate Daily Hours of Use

Track how long the appliance actually runs each day. Some devices cycle on and off (like a refrigerator), so estimate the actual running time. A dryer might run 1 hour per day if you do laundry 7 days a week.

Step 3: Convert Watts to Kilowatts

Divide watts by 1,000 to get kilowatts: 5,000W / 1,000 = 5.0 kW. This step converts to the same unit your utility uses for billing.

Step 4: Calculate Monthly kWh

Multiply kW by daily hours, then by 30 days: 5.0 kW x 1 hour x 30 = 150 kWh per month. This is the total energy the appliance consumes in a typical month.

Step 5: Multiply by Your Electricity Rate

Check your utility bill for the cost per kWh and multiply: 150 kWh x $0.15 = $22.50 per month. For yearly cost, multiply the monthly figure by 12: $22.50 x 12 = $270 per year.

Formula

Monthly Cost = (Watts / 1,000) x Hours/Day x 30 x Rate/kWh

Where: Watts = Appliance nameplate rating, Hours/Day = Actual daily runtime, Rate = Your electricity cost per kWh

Worked Example

Scenario: Calculate the monthly cost of running a 5,000W electric dryer for 1 hour per day at $0.15/kWh.

  • Step 1: Dryer wattage = 5,000W (from nameplate)
  • Step 2: Daily usage = 1 hour
  • Step 3: Kilowatts = 5,000 / 1,000 = 5.0 kW
  • Step 4: Monthly kWh = 5.0 x 1 x 30 = 150 kWh
  • Step 5: Monthly cost = 150 x $0.15 = $22.50. Yearly = $270.00

Result: The electric dryer costs $22.50 per month or $270 per year to operate at 1 hour of daily use.

How Much Electricity Do Common Appliances Use?

Here are typical wattages and estimated monthly costs for common household appliances at the US average electricity rate of $0.14/kWh. Your actual costs depend on your local rate and how much you use each device.

ApplianceWattsTypical Use~Monthly Cost
Space Heater1,500W8 hrs/day$50.40
Central Air Conditioner3,500W8 hrs/day$117.60
Window AC Unit1,200W8 hrs/day$40.32
Electric Clothes Dryer3,000W1 hr/day$12.60
Refrigerator150W8 hrs/day$5.04
Gaming PC500W4 hrs/day$8.40
EV Charger (Level 2)9,600W4 hrs/day$161.28
LED Bulb (10W)10W8 hrs/day$0.34
TV (55" LED)80W5 hrs/day$1.68
Crypto Miner (single rig)1,500W24 hrs/day$151.20

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate the electricity cost of an appliance?

Multiply the appliance's wattage by the number of hours you use it per day, then divide by 1,000 to get kilowatt-hours (kWh). Multiply by your electricity rate ($/kWh) to get the daily cost. For example: a 1,500W space heater used 8 hours/day at $0.14/kWh costs 1,500 x 8 / 1,000 x $0.14 = $1.68 per day, or about $50 per month.

How much does it cost to run a space heater all day?

A typical 1,500-watt space heater running 24 hours a day costs about $5.04 per day at the average US electricity rate of $0.14/kWh. That's roughly $151 per month. Running it for 8 hours (e.g., while sleeping) costs about $1.68/day or $50/month. Space heaters are one of the most expensive appliances to run — consider a programmable thermostat or better insulation instead.

How much electricity does a gaming PC use?

A mid-range gaming PC typically draws 300-500 watts while gaming, and 50-100 watts at idle. Running a 500W gaming PC for 4 hours a day costs about $8.40/month. A high-end system with a powerful GPU can draw 700-1000W under full load. Add a 150W monitor and the costs go up further. Using your PC's power-saving modes when not gaming helps reduce costs.

How much does a refrigerator cost to run per month?

A modern refrigerator typically costs $3-7 per month to run. While a fridge is always plugged in, the compressor only runs about one-third of the time (roughly 8 hours/day). Newer Energy Star models use about 400-600 kWh per year ($56-84/year). Older models can use twice as much. Keep the coils clean and the door seals in good condition to minimize energy use.

Where do I find my appliance's wattage?

Check the label on the back or bottom of the appliance — it usually lists watts (W) or amps (A) and volts (V). If it only shows amps and volts, multiply them together to get watts (e.g., 12A x 120V = 1,440W). You can also check the appliance's manual or look up the model number online. For a more precise reading, use a plug-in power meter like a Kill A Watt.

What electricity rate should I use?

Check your most recent electric bill — it shows your rate per kWh. The US average is about $0.14/kWh, but rates vary widely: from around $0.10/kWh in states like Louisiana and Idaho to over $0.30/kWh in Hawaii and Connecticut. Some utilities have tiered rates (higher price after a certain usage threshold) or time-of-use rates (cheaper at night).

What uses the most electricity in a typical home?

Heating and cooling account for about 50% of a typical home's electricity bill. After that, the biggest consumers are water heating (14%), large appliances like washers and dryers (13%), and lighting (9%). A single space heater or EV charger can easily add $50-150 per month. The calculator above helps you identify exactly which devices are costing you the most.

How much does it cost to run a window air conditioner?

A typical window AC unit (12,000 BTU) uses about 1,200 watts. Running it 8 hours a day costs roughly $40/month at average electricity rates. Smaller 5,000 BTU units use about 500 watts and cost around $17/month. Look for Energy Star rated units and use a programmable timer to reduce costs. Running the AC at 78°F instead of 72°F can cut cooling costs by 6-18%.

Does leaving things plugged in use electricity?

Yes — many devices draw "phantom" or "standby" power even when turned off. Chargers, TVs, game consoles, and cable boxes are common culprits. This standby power typically costs $100-200 per year for an average household. Using power strips that you can switch off, or smart plugs, is the easiest way to eliminate phantom loads.

How much does a crypto miner cost in electricity?

A single mining rig typically draws 1,000-1,500 watts continuously (24/7). At $0.14/kWh, that's $100-151 per month in electricity alone. ASIC miners can draw 2,000-3,500 watts, costing $200-350+/month. Multiple rigs in a home can easily overwhelm a residential electrical panel and dramatically increase your electric bill. Make sure your circuits and panel can handle the load before running miners.

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