Electricity Bill and Cost Calculator
Calculate your electricity costs by appliance, find your biggest energy users, and project monthly and annual electricity bills with rate schedule support.
Most people look at their electricity bill as a single number and have no idea which appliances are responsible for it. The water heater running for 3 hours a day? Your always-on gaming PC? The mini-fridge in the garage that's been running since 2014? Understanding your energy usage by appliance is the first step to knowing where to cut.
How to Calculate Appliance Running Costs
Cost = Power (kW) × Hours Used per Day × Days per Month × Rate ($/kWh)
For a 1,500W space heater running 6 hours a day at $0.15/kWh:
- 1.5 kW × 6 hours × 30 days × $0.15 = $40.50/month
The CalcHub Electricity Cost Calculator has a library of common appliances with typical wattages. You adjust usage hours and it builds your full household profile, showing which appliances cost the most.
Appliance Cost Reference (at $0.15/kWh)
| Appliance | Typical Wattage | Cost/Hour | Cost/Month (typical use) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central AC (2-ton) | 2,000–3,500W | $0.30–0.52 | $90–156 (8hr/day, summer) |
| Electric water heater | 4,000W | $0.60 | ~$40–50 (3hr heating/day) |
| Clothes dryer | 5,000W | $0.75 | $22 (3 loads/week) |
| Refrigerator (modern) | 100–200W avg | $0.015–0.03 | $11–22 (always on) |
| Old refrigerator (2005) | 400–600W avg | $0.06–0.09 | $43–65 (always on) |
| Dishwasher | 1,200–1,800W | $0.18–0.27 | $10–15 (once/day) |
| Washing machine | 500–800W | $0.075–0.12 | $6–9 (5 loads/week) |
| Desktop PC + monitor | 200–400W | $0.03–0.06 | $9–18 (8hr/day) |
| Gaming PC (full load) | 400–700W | $0.06–0.10 | $18–30 (4hr/day) |
| TV (65" OLED) | 100–150W | $0.015–0.02 | $7–10 (5hr/day) |
| LED lighting (whole home) | 200–400W | $0.03–0.06 | $9–18 (8hr/day) |
| Space heater | 1,000–1,500W | $0.15–0.22 | $40–60 (8hr/day, winter) |
Time-of-Use Rates: When You Use It Matters
Many utilities now charge different rates by time of day:
| Time Period | Typical Rate | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Off-peak (11pm–7am) | $0.06–0.09/kWh | Run dishwasher, laundry, charge EV |
| Mid-peak (7am–4pm) | $0.12–0.18/kWh | Normal use |
| On-peak (4pm–9pm) | $0.25–0.45/kWh | Minimize heavy appliances |
Phantom Load: The Silent Budget Killer
Electronics in standby mode draw power continuously:
| Device | Standby Power | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Cable/satellite box | 10–25W | $13–33 |
| Older game console | 10–15W | $13–20 |
| Desktop PC (sleep) | 2–5W | $2.60–6.50 |
| Microwave (just clock) | 2–4W | $2.60–5.20 |
| Router/modem | 10–20W (always-on intentional) | $13–26 |
| All standby combined | 50–200W typical home | $65–260/year |
Tips
- Your oldest appliance is often your biggest waste. A 15-year-old refrigerator, window AC, or electric water heater can cost 2–3× what a modern efficient replacement would for the same function.
- Natural gas vs electric comparison: If your water heater or stove could be either, the calculator compares the energy cost using current gas and electricity rates to show which is cheaper at your utility prices.
- Vampire loads add up. 200W of continuous standby across a house is 1,460 kWh/year — roughly $220 at average US rates. Not huge but free money.
How do I read my electricity meter to track usage?
Smart meters (which most utilities now use) provide hourly usage data through your utility's web portal. Traditional meters show cumulative kWh — read it now and in 24 hours to get daily consumption. The calculator can use your actual daily kWh reading alongside your appliance inventory to cross-check.
Is it cheaper to heat with a heat pump or electric resistance?
Dramatically cheaper with a heat pump. Electric resistance (space heaters, baseboard heat) converts electricity to heat at 1:1 efficiency. A heat pump moves heat from outside at 2.5–4× efficiency (COP). At the same electricity rate, a heat pump costs 40–60% less to run than resistance heating.
Does phantom load really matter if I'm already energy conscious?
For individual devices, not much. But most homes have 30–50 devices with standby loads. The aggregate can represent 5–10% of your electricity bill. It's not where you start energy savings, but it's worth addressing once the bigger wins (HVAC, water heating, lighting) are handled.
Related Calculators
- LED Savings Calculator — lighting efficiency in detail
- Energy Savings Calculator — whole-home improvement planning
- Solar Panel Calculator — offset your electricity bill with solar