2018 Electricity Cost Calculator
Estimate the cost of electricity usage given the power consumption and time the appliance or device is on. Learn about the power consumption of common appliances.
Electricity Cost Estimate:
How to Estimate Electricity Cost of Using an Appliance or Device
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 electricity consumption and how much each appliance and device costs is to use the calculator above.
Continue reading to learn some easy formulas to calculate this yourself.
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 number of kilowatts of power 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)
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(cost/kWh)
For example, find the electricity cost per month to run a computer with a 400w power supply that is running 4 hours per day.
Find the kilowatt hours:
kWh = P(W) × T(h/day) ÷ 1,000(W)
kWh = 400 W × 4 hrs ÷ 1,000
kWh = 1.6 kWh
Calculate the cost:
Price = Electricity(kWh) × Cost(cost/kWh)
Price = 1.6 kWh × $.12
Price = $.19 per day
Monthly Price = $.19 per day × 30
Monthly Price = $5.70
It would cost $5.70 per month to power the average computer for only 4 hours per day.
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 |
|---|---|
| air conditioner | 2000W – 4000W |
| baseboard heater | 1500W |
| portable heater | 1500W |
| garage heater | 4000W |
| refrigerator | 150W – 350W |
| deep freezer | 100W – 350W |
| oven | 2000W |
| stove | 1000W |
| dishwasher | 1200W – 1500W |
| clothes washer | 500W |
| clothes dryer | 4000W |
| 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.
