Appliance Cost CalculatorCompare Appliances
Where your watts go

See exactly what every appliance costs to run.

Pick an appliance, dial in your hours and your local rate, and get a real-money number — daily, monthly, yearly. 30+ pre-loaded wattages from real-world data.

28.9

kWh/day, US household

$0.16

Avg US electricity rate

$1,700

Yearly home electric bill

kWh / DAY28.9US AVERAGE
Live load1,210 W

Step 1 · Pick an appliance

Pre-loaded wattages, ready to calculate

All wattages reflect typical real-world draw — adjust on the next screen to match your model.

Every plug, every watt, every dollar

From the smart meter on the wall to the kitchen on the counter

Glowing incandescent light bulb on a dark background

60W → 9W

Swap incandescent for LED, save ~$8/bulb/year

A row of illuminated light bulbs hanging from the ceiling

Always-on loads

Quiet 24/7 draw adds up to ~15% of a US bill

A modern kitchen with a stainless steel three-door refrigerator

~13% of home use

Kitchen appliances — fridge leads the pack

How to Use the Appliance Cost Calculator

Step 1: Pick Your Appliance

Select from over 30 pre-loaded appliances — from refrigerators and washing machines to space heaters and gaming consoles. Each entry includes a typical wattage based on manufacturer specs and real-world usage data. If your appliance isn't listed, you can enter a custom wattage manually using the number on your appliance's label.

Step 2: Enter Your Usage Hours

Tell the calculator how many hours per day you typically run the appliance. For something like a refrigerator that runs continuously, enter 24 hours. For a microwave you use twice a day for 5 minutes, enter 0.17 hours (10 minutes total). The more accurate your hours, the more precise your cost estimate.

Step 3: Set Your Electricity Rate

The default is the U.S. average of $0.16 per kWh, but your actual rate may differ. Find your rate on your electricity bill under "price per kWh" or "energy charge." Rates typically range from $0.10 in low-cost states to $0.30+ in Hawaii and the Northeast.

Step 4: Review Your Costs

The calculator instantly shows your estimated daily, monthly, and yearly electricity cost for that appliance. Use these numbers to spot the biggest energy consumers in your home, compare appliances before buying, or calculate whether an upgrade to a more efficient model makes financial sense.

Guides & Resources

Most Efficient Appliances

Complete ranking of all appliances by annual operating cost

Electricity Rates by State

Compare average residential rates across all 50 states

How to Save on Energy Bills

Practical tips organized by room with estimated savings

Energy Star Guide

Understand ratings, savings, and ROI on efficient upgrades

Solar Savings Calculator

Estimate how solar panels affect your appliance costs

Cost to Run a Space Heater

The kWh math plus monthly cost tables for a 1500W heater

Cost to Run a Dryer

Per-load cost for a 3,000W vented electric vs heat pump dryer

Cost to Run a Window AC

Hourly and monthly cost tables by BTU size and rate

Cost to Run Central AC

Hourly to seasonal cost tables by tonnage and SEER rating

Cost to Run an Electric Water Heater

Daily kWh by household size plus heat pump vs standard tank cost

Cost to Run a Dishwasher

Per-cycle cost by type and rate, plus how to skip heated dry

Cost to Run a Pool Pump

Single-speed vs variable-speed pump cost across runtimes

Cost to Run a Refrigerator

Annual kWh and cost by fridge type, age, and electricity rate

Cost to Run a Washing Machine

Per-load cost by wash temperature, rate, and machine type

Cost to Run an Air Fryer

Per-use, monthly, and yearly cost by wattage, plus oven savings

Cost to Run a Toaster Oven

Monthly and yearly cost by wattage, plus toaster oven vs. full oven

Cost to Run a Hair Dryer

Cost per dry, monthly and yearly — plus 1200W vs 1800W

Cost to Run a TV

Daily and monthly cost by size (43"-85") and type (LED, QLED, OLED)

Cost to Run a Chest Freezer

Annual kWh and monthly cost by size, plus garage-placement caveats

Cost to Run a Standalone Freezer

Chest vs. upright energy use compared, with a prefilled calculator

Cost to Run a Coffee Maker

Daily, monthly, and yearly cost — plus the warming-plate surprise

Refrigerator Cost Per Month

Monthly cost by model size: mini, top-freezer, French door, side-by-side

Compare Appliances

Side-by-side cost comparison of 2-3 appliances

10 Appliances Quietly Costing You the Most

The biggest hidden energy drains in a typical home, ranked

Old vs. New Appliances

Break-even math for deciding when an Energy Star upgrade pays off

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to run an appliance?

The cost depends on wattage, hours used, and your electricity rate. Use our calculator above — select any appliance and adjust your local rate to see daily, monthly, and yearly costs.

What is the average electricity rate in the US?

The national average is about $0.16 per kWh, but rates vary widely by state — from $0.10 in states like Idaho to over $0.30 in Hawaii and Connecticut.

Which appliances use the most electricity?

Central air conditioners, electric water heaters, and clothes dryers are typically the biggest energy consumers. Space heaters and pool pumps also draw significant power.

How can I reduce my electricity bill?

Use LED bulbs, unplug devices when not in use, run dishwashers and laundry during off-peak hours, and consider upgrading to Energy Star rated appliances.

How do I find my appliance's wattage?

Check the label on the back or bottom of the appliance, look in the owner's manual, or search the model number online. You can also use a kill-a-watt meter for exact readings.