Electricity Cost Calculator
Electricity Cost Calculator
Find it on your bill (total charges ÷ kWh). The U.S. residential average is roughly 17¢.
Based on your results — what to do next:
Could solar offset this?
Your listed devices use 10,804 kWh ($1,837) a year. See how long solar would take to pay that back.
Fit it into your budget
$153/mo on these devices alone. See where utilities belong in a 50/30/20 plan.
Adding an EV to the mix?
At 17¢/kWh, home charging cost is the key input — compare EV vs. gas total cost of ownership.
An electricity cost calculator converts an appliance's wattage and daily run time into kilowatt-hours (kWh), then multiplies by your utility rate to show what it costs to run. Add every major device to see your monthly total and which appliance is the biggest drain on your bill.
How Electricity Cost Is Calculated
Every utility bill is energy (kWh) multiplied by price. The calculator applies that to each device and sums them.
① Energy used
kWh per day = Watts × Hours per day × Quantity ÷ 1,000
3,500 W × 8 h ÷ 1,000 = 28 kWh/day
② Cost
Cost = kWh × Rate per kWh
28 kWh × $0.17 = $4.76/day
③ Monthly and yearly
Monthly = daily × 30.44 | Yearly = daily × 365
$4.76 × 30.44 = $144.88/mo
| Variable | Meaning | Typical Value |
|---|---|---|
| Watts | Power draw of the device | Label or spec sheet |
| Hours | Average run time per day | Cycling devices such as fridges run ~8 h |
| Rate | Price per kWh | U.S. average about $0.17 |
| kWh | Kilowatt-hours used | 1 kWh = 1,000 W for 1 hour |
Worked Example — central A/C, refrigerator, and 55" TV at 17¢/kWh
- Central A/C (3,500 W × 8 h): $144.88/mo
- Refrigerator (150 W × 8 h): $6.21/mo
- 55" TV (80 W × 5 h): $2.07/mo
- Total: $153.16/mo or $1,837.94/yr
💡 Pro-Tip
Chase the biggest numbers first. Heating, cooling, and water heating usually make up well over half of a home's electricity use, so a smart thermostat or heat-pump water heater beats unplugging chargers. Also check whether your utility has time-of-use rates — shifting laundry or EV charging off-peak can cut the rate you pay per kWh.
Electricity Cost Calculator FAQ
How do you calculate electricity cost?
Multiply the device's watts by hours used and divide by 1,000 to get kWh, then multiply by your rate per kWh. A 1,000 W heater running 5 hours uses 5 kWh, or $0.85 at 17¢/kWh.
Where do I find my cost per kWh?
Divide the total on your bill by the kWh used. This includes delivery fees and taxes and is more accurate than the supply rate alone. The U.S. residential average is roughly 17¢ per kWh, but it varies widely by state.
What uses the most electricity at home?
Heating and cooling are the largest, followed by water heating, then appliances such as dryers, refrigerators, and lighting.
How do I find an appliance's wattage?
Look at its nameplate or manual. If it only lists volts and amps, multiply them to get watts. A plug-in watt meter gives the most accurate real-world reading.
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