Electricity Cost Calculator
Ever wonder what the space heater, the dryer or the EV charger is really adding to your bill? Tick the appliances you use, adjust the hours, and see each one's monthly running cost at your electricity rate.
| Use | Appliance | Watts | Hours / day | Cost / month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RefrigeratorRuns around the clock (compressor cycles) | $19.44 | |||
| Electric water heaterTank heating spread across the day | $72.90 | |||
| Washing machineAbout 5 loads a week | $1.89 | |||
| Clothes dryerAbout 5 loads a week | $11.34 | |||
| TV (55-inch LED) | $2.70 | |||
| Desktop computer + monitor | $8.10 | |||
| Central air conditioningSummer months | — | |||
| Window air conditioner | — | |||
| Electric space heaterWinter months — a notorious bill driver | — | |||
| Home EV charger (Level 2)About 40 miles of driving a day | — |
Total / month
$116.37
For the appliances ticked above
Total / year
$1,396
At the same usage and rate
Electricity used
647 kWh
Per month
Biggest cost
Electric water heater
$72.90 a month
How it works
The math is the same one your utility uses: energy in kilowatt-hours = (watts ÷ 1,000) × hours run. Multiply by your rate per kWh for the cost. A 1,500-watt space heater running 6 hours a day uses 9 kWh a day — about 270 kWh a month, which at $0.18/kWh is roughly $48.60 a month for one small heater. That is why heating and cooling almost always top the list.
Wattages here are the US Department of Energy's typical figures; your appliance's nameplate or manual is the exact source, and every wattage above can be edited. Real bills also include fixed delivery and service charges, which this calculator leaves out — it answers "what does this appliance cost to run", not "what will my whole bill be".
Where the money in your electricity bill actually goes
In most US homes, heating and cooling take the largest share of electricity use — often close to half across a full year — followed by water heating, then laundry and refrigeration. The pattern that surprises people is how cheap the always-on small stuff is by comparison: an LED bulb costs a few cents a month, a TV a couple of dollars, while a single space heater or a daily EV charge can each outweigh everything else on the list combined.
Rates matter as much as usage. The US residential average is about 18 cents per kWh in 2026 (Energy Information Administration), but state averages run from roughly 11 cents in parts of the Midwest and South to over 30 cents in New England, California and Hawaii — the same appliance can cost three times as much to run depending on your ZIP code. Use the rate printed on your own bill for a real number, and pair this with our EV vs Gas Savings Calculator if the charger is the line you are weighing up, or the US Inflation Calculator to see how energy prices fit into the wider cost of living.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate the cost of running an appliance?
Divide its watts by 1,000 to get kilowatts, multiply by the hours it runs to get kilowatt-hours, then multiply by your electricity rate. A 1,000W appliance running 5 hours a day at $0.18/kWh costs 5 × 0.18 = $0.90 a day, about $27 a month.
What is the average US electricity rate in 2026?
About $0.18 per kWh for residential customers, according to the Energy Information Administration. State averages vary widely — roughly $0.11 in the cheapest states to over $0.30 in New England, California and Hawaii. Your exact rate is printed on your utility bill.
How much does it cost to run a space heater?
A standard 1,500W space heater costs about $0.27 an hour at $0.18/kWh. Run it 6 hours a day and that is roughly $49 a month — space heaters are one of the most expensive common appliances per hour, which surprises many people.
How much electricity does a refrigerator use?
A typical fridge draws around 150W but its compressor cycles on and off, using roughly 1–2 kWh a day — about $5–$11 a month at average rates. This calculator models it at 150W over 24 hours as a simple upper estimate; lowering the hours to about 12 gives a closer real-world figure for an efficient model.
What uses the most electricity in a home?
Heating and air conditioning, then the electric water heater. Together they usually account for well over half of a home's electricity. Dryers, ovens and EV chargers draw a lot of power too, but run for fewer hours.
How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home?
A Level 2 home charger draws about 7.2 kW. An hour and a half a day (roughly 40 miles of driving) uses about 324 kWh a month — around $58 at $0.18/kWh. Compare that with gasoline in our EV vs Gas Savings Calculator.
Why is my real bill higher than this calculator's total?
Utilities add fixed monthly service and delivery charges, and sometimes tiered or time-of-use rates, on top of the per-kWh energy cost. This calculator covers the energy cost of the appliances you select — the part you can actually control by using them less.
Do appliances use power when switched off?
Many do — TVs, chargers, game consoles and computers draw a few watts on standby ("vampire load"). Across a whole home that can add a few dollars a month. A smart power strip is the usual fix.
More free tools
Disclaimer: this calculator is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not financial advice. RoboVez does not provide investment, tax, or lending advice — consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.