Find out exactly how much it costs to run any appliance in your home.
Electricity is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). One kWh equals the energy consumed by a 1,000-watt appliance running for one hour. To find the cost of running any device, multiply its wattage by the hours of daily use, divide by 1,000 to convert to kWh, then multiply by your utility rate per kWh. The average U.S. residential electricity rate is approximately $0.17 per kWh as of 2025, though rates range from around $0.10 in states like Louisiana and Idaho to over $0.35 in Hawaii and parts of New England.
A central air conditioner uses 2,000 to 5,000 watts, making it the largest electricity consumer in most homes. A space heater draws about 1,500 watts. Refrigerators use 100 to 400 watts but run 24/7, so their monthly consumption adds up. A clothes dryer uses 2,000 to 5,000 watts per cycle but runs only a few hours per week. LED light bulbs use 7 to 15 watts compared to 60 to 100 watts for incandescent equivalents, which is why lighting upgrades are one of the fastest ways to reduce electricity bills.
Gaming PCs can draw 300 to 800 watts under load, while a laptop typically uses 30 to 70 watts. A television uses 50 to 200 watts depending on size and technology. Standby power (phantom load) from devices in sleep mode accounts for 5 to 10% of total household electricity use. The Department of Energy estimates that phantom loads cost the average U.S. household about $100 per year.
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Your electricity rate appears on your utility bill, usually listed as the price per kWh. Some utilities use tiered pricing where the first block of kWh (say 500) costs a base rate and additional usage costs more per kWh. Time-of-use (TOU) plans charge higher rates during peak hours (typically 2 PM to 7 PM on weekdays) and lower rates during off-peak times. If you are on a TOU plan, running heavy appliances like dishwashers and dryers during off-peak hours can meaningfully reduce your bill.
Beyond the per-kWh charge, most bills include a fixed customer charge ($5 to $15 monthly regardless of usage), distribution charges, and various riders or surcharges. This calculator focuses on the variable per-kWh cost, which is the portion you can control by adjusting your usage patterns.
Heating and cooling eat 40-50% of the average home's electricity bill. Water heating takes another 12-15%. The rest splits between appliances, lighting, and electronics. Knowing which devices draw the most power helps you target the biggest savings first.
This calculator converts between watts, hours of use, and your electricity rate to show the actual cost of running any device. A space heater running 8 hours costs about $1.50/day. A gaming PC running 6 hours costs $0.50-$0.80/day. A phone charger costs about $2/year. Use it to find the expensive culprits and see our guide on lowering your electric bill for practical tips.