⚡ Electricity Cost Calculator
Calculate your electricity costs by appliance or total usage. Estimate daily, monthly, and annual electric bills based on wattage, usage hours, and your local electricity rate.
Calculate Your Electricity Costs
Understanding Your Electricity Bill
Your electricity bill is primarily determined by three factors: how much energy you use (measured in kilowatt-hours or kWh), the rate your utility charges per kWh, and fixed monthly service charges. The average American household consumes about 886 kWh per month, resulting in an average monthly bill of around $147.
A kilowatt-hour (kWh) represents the energy consumed by a 1,000-watt appliance running for one hour. To calculate the cost of running any appliance, multiply its wattage by the number of hours you use it, divide by 1,000 to convert to kWh, then multiply by your electricity rate.
Formula: Cost = (Watts × Hours per day × 30 days) ÷ 1,000 × Rate per kWh
Average Electricity Rates by State (2025)
Electricity rates vary dramatically across the United States. Here are rates for select states to help you estimate your costs more accurately:
| State | Avg Rate (¢/kWh) | Avg Monthly Bill |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 43.5¢ | $385 |
| Connecticut | 29.5¢ | $261 |
| Massachusetts | 28.6¢ | $253 |
| California | 27.3¢ | $242 |
| New York | 22.6¢ | $200 |
| New Jersey | 18.4¢ | $163 |
| Florida | 15.5¢ | $137 |
| Texas | 14.2¢ | $126 |
| Ohio | 13.8¢ | $122 |
| Washington | 11.2¢ | $99 |
| Idaho | 10.1¢ | $89 |
| Utah | 10.5¢ | $93 |
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2025 residential averages.
Top Energy-Saving Tips
- Switch to LED bulbs — LED lights use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 25 times longer. Replacing 20 bulbs can save $200+/year.
- Use a programmable thermostat — Setting your thermostat back 7-10°F for 8 hours/day can save up to 10% on heating and cooling costs annually.
- Upgrade to ENERGY STAR appliances — ENERGY STAR certified appliances use 10-50% less energy. A new ENERGY STAR refrigerator can save $100+/year vs. a 15-year-old model.
- Seal air leaks — Weatherstripping and caulking around windows and doors can reduce heating/cooling costs by 15-30%.
- Use power strips — Phantom loads from electronics in standby mode account for 5-10% of household energy use. Smart power strips eliminate this waste.
- Wash clothes in cold water — About 90% of a washing machine's energy goes to heating water. Cold water washing saves $60-100/year.
- Air dry when possible — Using a clothesline or drying rack instead of a dryer can save $100-200/year.
- Consider solar panels — Depending on your location and roof, solar panels can eliminate 50-100% of your electricity bill with a typical payback period of 6-10 years.
Common Appliance Energy Usage
Understanding which appliances consume the most electricity helps you target the biggest savings opportunities. Here's a breakdown of typical wattage and monthly costs at the national average rate of 16.6¢/kWh:
| Appliance | Watts | Typical Daily Use | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Air Conditioner | 3,500W | 8 hrs | $139.44 |
| Electric Water Heater | 4,500W | 3 hrs | $67.23 |
| Electric Dryer | 5,000W | 1 hr | $24.90 |
| Refrigerator | 150W | 24 hrs | $17.93 |
| Electric Oven | 2,500W | 1 hr | $12.45 |
| Dishwasher | 1,800W | 1 hr | $8.96 |
| Washing Machine | 500W | 1 hr | $2.49 |
| Desktop Computer | 200W | 8 hrs | $7.97 |
| LED TV (55") | 80W | 5 hrs | $1.99 |
| LED Light Bulb | 10W | 8 hrs | $0.40 |
| Space Heater | 1,500W | 8 hrs | $59.76 |
| Window AC Unit | 1,200W | 8 hrs | $47.81 |