2022 Electricity Cost Calculator
Estimate the cost of electricity and energy usage in kWh by entering its power consumption and time the appliance or device is on. Learn about the power consumption of common appliances.
Electricity Cost Estimate:
Current Cost per Month
Total kWh per Month
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How to Estimate Electricity Cost and Energy Usage
Homes these days are equipped with many appliances, and we use dozens, if not hundreds, of other devices making it difficult to predict energy usage.
The easiest way to estimate energy consumption in kilowatt-hours and how much each appliance and device costs on your electric bill is to use the calculator above.
Continue reading to learn some easy formulas to calculate this yourself.
How to Calculate Your Electric Bill
To calculate how much an appliance contributes to your electric bill, first calculate the energy used in kilowatt-hours (kWh), then calculate the total kWh cost for the appliance.
Step One: Calculate the Energy Used in Kilowatt-Hours
The first step to estimating energy usage and costs is to calculate the kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy used. Kilowatt-hours are a measurement of the power in kilowatts consumed in one hour.
To calculate kWh, start by finding the power consumption of the appliance in watts. This could be marked on the device, in the owner’s manual, or in the technical specifications.
Next, multiply the power in watts by the hours used per day, then divide by 1,000 to get the kilowatt-hours used.
The kilowatt-hour usage formula is:
kWh = P(W) × T(h/day) ÷ 1,000(W)
You can easily do this using a watts to kWh calculator.
Step Two: Calculate the Electricity Cost
To find the price for the kWh used, multiplying by the cost per kWh charged by the electric company by the kilowatt-hours measurement found above.
Electricity costs vary, but the national average electricity cost is $.12 per kilowatt-hour. This cost is shown on the monthly electric bill from the power company.
The electricity price formula is:
Price = Electricity(kWh) × Cost(price/kWh)
For example, find the electricity cost per month to charge an electric vehicle for 4 hours per day using a 9,600 watt charger.
Find the kilowatt-hours:
kWh = P(W) × T(h/day) ÷ 1,000(W)
kWh = 9,600 W × 4 hrs ÷ 1,000
kWh = 38.4 kWh
Calculate the cost:
Price = Electricity(kWh) × Cost(cost/kWh)
Price = 38.4 kWh × $.12
Price = $4.61 per day
Monthly Price = $4.61 per day × 30
Monthly Price = $138.30
It would cost $138.30 per month to charge an electric vehicle for 4 hours per day using a 9,600 watt charger.
It’s also possible to use this formula to find out how much a light bulb or light fixture costs per month. Use our lighting cost estimator to find out how much lamps and light bulbs cost to keep on for the month and to find out how much money can be saved by upgrading to LED light bulbs.
Power Consumption of Common Appliances
| Appliance / Device | Power Consumed |
|---|---|
| electric vehicle charger | 7,200W – 12,000W |
| air conditioner | 2,000W – 4,000W |
| baseboard heater | 1,500W |
| portable heater | 1,500W |
| garage heater | 5,000W |
| refrigerator | 150W – 350W |
| deep freezer | 100W – 350W |
| oven | 2,000W |
| stove | 1,000W |
| dishwasher | 1,200W – 1,500W |
| clothes washer | 500W |
| clothes dryer | 4,000W |
| desktop computer | 200W |
| laptop computer | 50W |
| LED TV | 20W – 60W |
| LCD TV | 90W – 250W |
| plasma TV | 260W – 340W |
| LED light bulb | 7W – 10W |
| fluorescent light bulb | 16W – 20W |
| 60W incandescent light bulb | 60W |
| ceiling fan | 25W – 75W |
| table fan | 10W – 25W |
Our voltage drop calculator can calculate a drop in voltage, minimum wire size, and maximum wire length for your electrical project.