Appliance electricity cost calculator
What does it cost to run? Pick an appliance (or enter its watts) and your state to see the electricity cost per day, month, and year — using real state rates, not a generic one. Free, instant, no signup.
Short answer
The cost to run an appliance is (watts ÷ 1,000) × hours per day × your electricity rate. A 1,500-watt space heater run 5 hours a day costs about $1.26/day or ~$38/month at the U.S. average of 16.8¢/kWh — but four times more in Hawaii (42¢) than Idaho (10.5¢).
U.S. avg rate
16.8¢/kWh
ID 10.5 – HI 42
Space heater
~$38/mo
1,500W, 5h/day
Central AC
$65–100/mo
summer
Formula
W÷1000×h×rate
per kWh
Using 16.8¢/kWh. Presets are typical wattages and daily hours — adjust to match your model and use.
Per day
$1.26
7.5 kWh
Per month
$38
228 kWh
Per year
$460
2,738 kWh
Cost = (watts ÷ 1,000) × hours × your rate. Monthly uses 30.4 days. Real cost depends on your exact model, usage, and utility plan (tiered or time-of-use rates can differ). Check your appliance label and bill.
What appliances cost to run (US average rate)
| Appliance | Watts | Hours/day | Monthly cost | Yearly cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central air conditioner | 3,500 W | 6 h | $107.25 | $1,287.72 |
| Window AC unit | 900 W | 8 h | $36.77 | $441.50 |
| Space heater | 1,500 W | 5 h | $38.30 | $459.90 |
| Electric furnace | 10,000 W | 3 h | $153.22 | $1,839.60 |
| Heat pump | 3,000 W | 8 h | $122.57 | $1,471.68 |
| Dehumidifier | 500 W | 12 h | $30.64 | $367.92 |
| Ceiling fan | 60 W | 8 h | $2.45 | $29.43 |
| Refrigerator | 150 W | 8 h | $6.13 | $73.58 |
| Chest freezer | 100 W | 8 h | $4.09 | $49.06 |
| Electric oven | 2,400 W | 1 h | $12.26 | $147.17 |
| Microwave | 1,000 W | 0.5 h | $2.55 | $30.66 |
| Dishwasher | 1,800 W | 1 h | $9.19 | $110.38 |
| Coffee maker | 900 W | 0.5 h | $2.30 | $27.59 |
| Toaster | 1,200 W | 0.2 h | $1.23 | $14.72 |
| Electric clothes dryer | 3,000 W | 1 h | $15.32 | $183.96 |
| Washing machine | 500 W | 1 h | $2.55 | $30.66 |
| Electric water heater | 4,000 W | 3 h | $61.29 | $735.84 |
| Well pump | 1,000 W | 2 h | $10.21 | $122.64 |
| Pool pump | 1,500 W | 8 h | $61.29 | $735.84 |
| Hot tub | 1,500 W | 6 h | $45.96 | $551.88 |
| LED TV | 100 W | 5 h | $2.55 | $30.66 |
| Desktop computer | 200 W | 5 h | $5.11 | $61.32 |
| Gaming console | 150 W | 3 h | $2.30 | $27.59 |
| Wi-Fi router / modem | 15 W | 24 h | $1.84 | $22.08 |
| EV charger (Level 2) | 7,200 W | 3 h | $110.32 | $1,324.51 |
| Hair dryer | 1,500 W | 0.2 h | $1.53 | $18.40 |
| LED light bulb | 10 W | 5 h | $0.26 | $3.07 |
| Incandescent bulb | 60 W | 5 h | $1.53 | $18.40 |
At the 16.8¢/kWh US average residential rate, typical wattages and daily on-time. State rates run from ~10.5¢ (Idaho) to ~42¢ (Hawaii) — pick your state in the calculator for local figures.
Cost to run common appliances
Electricity cost by state
How we calculate this
Every number on this page comes from the one formula on your electric bill — no black box:
- Kilowatt-hours. watts ÷ 1,000 × hours used per day = daily kWh. A 1,500 W space heater running 5 hours uses 7.5 kWh.
- Cost. daily kWh × your electricity rate ($/kWh); months use 30.4 days, years use 365.
- Your state's rate. instead of the hardcoded 12¢ many calculators use, the tool applies your state's average residential rate (EIA-style averages) — Hawaii pays four times Idaho's rate for the same appliance.
Assumptions
- Wattages are typical running draws; cycling appliances (fridge, hot tub) use effective on-time hours.
- State rates are recent averages — your utility's plan, tiers, and time-of-use rates change the real figure.
- Check the nameplate or a kill-a-watt meter for your exact model's draw.
Sources
Last reviewed: July 13, 2026
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Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate the cost to run an appliance?
Multiply the appliance's power in kilowatts (watts ÷ 1,000) by the hours you use it, then by your electricity rate in dollars per kWh. A 1,500-watt space heater run 5 hours a day at the U.S. average of 16.8¢/kWh costs about $1.26 a day, or roughly $38 a month.
How much does electricity cost per kWh?
The U.S. residential average is about 16.8¢ per kWh in 2026, but it ranges from around 10.5¢ in Idaho and Louisiana to about 42¢ in Hawaii. Picking your state in the calculator uses a realistic local rate instead of a generic one.
What uses the most electricity in my home?
Heating and cooling usually top the bill — central AC, electric furnaces, heat pumps, and electric water heaters. Big intermittent loads like clothes dryers, ovens, and EV chargers add up too. Compare any of them in the calculator.
How much does it cost to run a space heater or AC?
A 1,500-watt space heater costs roughly $38 a month at 5 hours a day; central AC often runs $65–$100 a month in summer. Both scale directly with your state's rate — four times more in Hawaii than Idaho.