That space heater, dryer or old fridge costs more than you think. Enter its wattage, how long it runs and your electricity rate, and see the true cost per day, month and year.
Electrical Power Cost Calculator
How this calculator works
Electricity is billed in kilowatt-hours: the energy used when a 1,000-watt appliance runs for one hour. The calculator converts your appliance’s watts to kilowatts, multiplies by hours and your rate, then scales to a 30-day month and a 365-day year. Check the rating plate on the appliance or your latest bill for the real rate, including taxes if you want a precise figure.
Good to know
Work out energy in kilowatt-hours first: watts times hours, divided by 1,000, then times your rate. Check the label or manual for wattage; heaters and dryers sit high, chargers and modern lights sit low, and a plug-in meter helps when the rating is unclear.
Small always-on loads add up too. TVs, boxes and chargers on standby draw a few watts around the clock; a smart plug or switched strip can trim that for little effort, though safety kit should stay powered.
What does a kWh on my bill mean? One kilowatt-hour is 1,000 watts running for one hour, for example a 100-watt bulb on for ten hours. Your bill multiplies total kWh used by the rate, plus any fixed charges.
What does 1,000W for 1 hour cost at $0.17? Exactly one kWh, so about 17 cents. Double the hours or the wattage and the cost doubles too, which is why high-watt heaters climb fast.
Is standby power worth chasing? Usually yes for entertainment and office corners. A handful of sleepy devices can equal a small bulb running all day; put them on one switch and the saving repeats every hour.
How do I find my electricity rate? Look for the per-kWh charge on a recent bill, including delivery if listed separately. If you pay a flat plan, use the plan rate so the estimate matches what you are actually billed.