Start with your electricity rate
Find the applicable per-kWh charges on your utility bill. A realistic rate makes every estimate more useful. Keep fixed monthly fees separate from the cost you can avoid.
ApplianceRunningCosts.com
Appliance Running
Costs Calculator
Know your watts. Keep your dollars. Calculate appliance electricity costs, explore a simple change, and see what you could save.
✓ Free to use✓ No signup✓ Instant estimates
Build your estimate
Illustrative wattages. Check your appliance label for accuracy. Use equivalent full-power running hours for cycling equipment.
Use the applicable per-kWh rate from your bill. $0.20 is an example, not a local average.
Your estimated running cost
$36.00
per month · electricity usage onlyPer day$1.20
Per year*$432.00
Monthly energy180 kWh
With your change: $27.00/monthYour potential savings
$108.00 / yearThat's $9.00 back each month.Transparent math: watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × days × quantity × rate.*Annual estimate = monthly estimate × 12.
The practical savings guide
15 ways to make your
electric bill a little lighter.
Start with what you use most. These practical steps help you find waste and compare changes before spending money. Your actual savings depend on your home, equipment, rates, and habits.
Measure before you replace
A plug-in energy monitor can reveal what compatible plug-in appliances actually consume. Measure several representative days, and follow the monitor’s power limits.
Swap a frequently used bulb
Compare bulbs by lumens, not watts. Try our 60 W to 9 W example to see how operating hours and electricity price change the savings.
Give your TV an off switch
Reduce unnecessary viewing hours and disable features you do not use. The 100 W TV example lets you test shorter daily use without buying new equipment.
Treat space heat as a big load
A portable electric heater can use substantial power while heating. Estimate its actual run time; do not assume the thermostat keeps it at full power all day.
Use fans thoughtfully
A fan may help you feel comfortable at a warmer cooling setting. Turn it off in unoccupied rooms unless you need it for ventilation; the comfort benefit is mainly for people.
Keep cooling airflow clear
Check filters and keep vents unobstructed according to equipment instructions. Poor airflow can affect performance. Maintenance needs depend on your equipment and home.
Seal the easy air leaks
Check weatherstripping around doors and windows. Address obvious gaps before considering larger upgrades, while preserving required ventilation and safe combustion airflow.
Match laundry to the load
Wash full loads within the machine’s limits. Choose cooler water when appropriate for the fabric and cleaning needs; heating water adds energy use.
Let a clothesline help
Air-dry suitable items when space, weather, and building rules allow. If using a dryer, clean its lint filter and follow safe vent-maintenance instructions.
Run a full dishwasher
Use the manufacturer’s recommended loading pattern and avoid blocking spray arms. Try an air-dry option when available and suitable for your routine.
Give your refrigerator breathing room
Keep door seals clean and provide clearance specified by the manufacturer. Use an appliance thermometer and follow food-safety temperature guidance rather than turning it warmer just to save.
Schedule around your rate plan
If your utility uses time-of-use prices, shift flexible tasks to cheaper periods where practical. Calculate each rate period separately; moving a task does not necessarily reduce kWh.
Check standby power selectively
Look for electronics that remain powered when unused. A switched power strip can help with suitable devices; leave medical, security, refrigeration, and other essential equipment powered.
Compare the full upgrade cost
Before replacing working equipment, compare purchase and installation costs with estimated annual savings. Simple payback is added upfront cost divided by yearly savings; consider maintenance and comfort too.
Understand your estimate
A useful starting point.
A clearer next step.
This tool estimates one appliance or a group of identical appliances. It assumes constant power while running. For equipment that cycles on and off, use equivalent full-power running hours or measured energy consumption.
Fixed charges, taxes, tier changes, demand charges, and time-of-use pricing are excluded. To compare time-of-use periods, calculate each period separately. Replacement purchase costs are not included in savings.
A little clarity
Good questions.
Clear answers.
Where do I find my electricity rate?
Look for energy and delivery charges expressed per kilowatt-hour on your bill. Add applicable variable per-kWh charges for the period you are estimating. Dividing the entire bill by kWh includes fixed charges and can overstate avoidable savings.
What is a kilowatt-hour?
A kilowatt-hour (kWh) measures energy. Running a 1,000-watt appliance for one hour uses 1 kWh. At an example rate of $0.20/kWh, that costs $0.20.
Will this match my utility bill?
No. It estimates appliance energy costs from your inputs. Actual consumption varies with operating modes, cycling, temperature, and equipment age. Your bill also may include charges this calculator excludes.
How does the LED comparison work?
The LED example compares a 60-watt incandescent bulb with a 9-watt LED at equal operating hours. Choose bulbs with comparable lumen output. The result covers electricity savings only, not purchase costs or bulb lifetime.
Are my calculator inputs saved?
The calculator runs in your browser and does not send or persist your inputs. A downloaded estimate is saved only when you choose to download it.
For guidance on measuring energy use and choosing efficient equipment, visit these independent resources.
U.S. Department of Energy ↗ENERGY STAR ↗About Appliance Running Costs & privacy
Appliance Running Costs is a free educational calculator designed to make appliance energy costs easier to understand. Estimates are illustrative and do not promise a particular reduction in your bill. This version has no advertising, analytics, tracking cookies, or account registration added by Appliance Running Costs. Hosting providers may process technical access information under their own policies.