# Electricity Cost Calculator

Calculate how much electricity an appliance costs to run. Enter watts, usage hours, and your rate per kWh to see daily, monthly, and annual energy costs.

## What this calculates

Find out exactly how much it costs to run any electrical appliance. Enter the device wattage, how many hours you use it daily, and your electricity rate to see the energy consumption and cost broken down by day, month, and year.

## Inputs

- **Power Consumption** (watts) — min 0 — Check the device label or manual for wattage
- **Hours Used Per Day** (hours) — min 0, max 24
- **Days Per Month** (days) — min 1, max 31
- **Electricity Rate** ($/kWh) — min 0 — US average is about $0.13/kWh. Check your utility bill.

## Outputs

- **Daily Energy Use**
- **Monthly Energy Use**
- **Daily Cost** — formatted as currency
- **Monthly Cost** — formatted as currency
- **Annual Cost** — formatted as currency

## Details

The formula for electricity cost is:

  - Daily kWh = (Watts x Hours per day) / 1000

  - Monthly cost = Daily kWh x Days x Rate per kWh

  - Annual cost = Daily cost x 365

Common appliance wattages:

  - LED bulb: 10W | Incandescent bulb: 60W

  - Laptop: 50-100W | Desktop PC: 200-500W

  - Refrigerator: 100-400W | Window AC: 500-1500W

  - Space heater: 1500W | Hair dryer: 1200-1800W

  - Washing machine: 500W | Dryer: 2000-5000W

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: Where do I find my electricity rate?**

A: Check your electric utility bill. Look for the charge per kWh, which is typically listed as the energy charge or supply charge. In the US, the average residential rate is about $0.13/kWh, but it ranges from $0.08 to $0.35+ depending on location.

**Q: What is a kilowatt-hour (kWh)?**

A: A kilowatt-hour is a unit of energy equal to using 1,000 watts for one hour. For example, a 100-watt light bulb running for 10 hours uses 1 kWh. Your utility charges you per kWh consumed.

**Q: How do I find the wattage of an appliance?**

A: Check the label on the appliance, the owner's manual, or the manufacturer's website. If only amps and volts are listed, multiply them: Watts = Amps x Volts. A Kill-A-Watt meter can measure actual consumption.

**Q: Do appliances use electricity when turned off?**

A: Many modern appliances draw standby or phantom power when plugged in but not actively in use. This can account for 5-10% of household electricity. Devices like TVs, chargers, and game consoles are common culprits.

**Q: What uses the most electricity in a home?**

A: Heating and cooling typically account for 40-50% of home energy use. Water heating is 15-20%, followed by appliances (refrigerator, washer, dryer) at 15-20%, and lighting at 10-15%.

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Source: https://vastcalc.com/calculators/everyday/electricity-cost
Category: Everyday Life
Last updated: 2026-04-21