Electricity Cost Calculator: What Does an Appliance Cost to Run?

See what any appliance costs to run. Enter its power in watts, hours of use per day, the share of that time it actually draws power, and your electricity rate.

How to use this tool

1. Enter the appliance’s power draw in watts.
2. Enter the hours it is in use each day.
3. Set the share of time it actually draws power. Fridges cycle on and off; lights and electronics run continuously.
4. Enter your electricity rate from your bill.

Worked example

A refrigerator drawing 150 watts when running, on 24 hours a day and running about 35 percent of the time, uses about 1.26 kWh a day. At 17 cents per kWh that is about $6.51 a month or $78 a year.

Understanding your results

The ENERGY STAR or EnergyGuide label lists yearly kWh for many appliances, which is more accurate than nameplate watts. For the best number, measure with a plug-in meter for a few days. Use the result to prioritize replacements and to size backup power.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Multiplying nameplate watts by 24 hours for appliances that cycle.
• Using the supply charge only instead of the full delivered rate per kWh.
• Ignoring standby power from electronics that are never fully off.

Next steps

Read Energy Savings for upgrades that usually pay back fastest.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate the cost to run an appliance?

Multiply watts by hours of use and divide by 1,000 to get kWh per day, then multiply by your electricity rate. Adjust for appliances that cycle on and off.

How much electricity does a refrigerator use?

Many modern refrigerators use roughly 300 to 600 kWh a year. The EnergyGuide label lists an estimate for your model.

What is a kilowatt-hour?

A kilowatt-hour is 1,000 watts used for one hour. It is the unit your utility bills you for.

This tool is for planning and education only. It does not store your entries. Work on home wiring must be done by a licensed electrician. Read our disclaimer.