How to Estimate the Electricity Cost of Any Appliance

Turn appliance use into an energy estimate you can compare with a bill.

Use the Electricity Cost Calculator alongside this illustrative example.

A practical example

A 1,000 W appliance used for two hours consumes 2 kWh if it draws that power continuously. At an illustrative rate of 0.20 per kWh, that costs 0.40 per day and 12.00 over 30 days. A device that cycles on and off will not necessarily consume its rated maximum for the full period.

Check the result

Prefer measured kWh from a suitable energy monitor when available. Compare the same number of days and the energy charge from your actual tariff rather than mixing weekly use with a monthly bill.

Try a comparison

Keep wattage and tariff fixed, but reduce use from two hours to one hour per day. Estimated consumption and energy cost halve. Reducing a seldom-used low-power device can save less than a small reduction in a continuously used high-power one.

What this does not establish

Standing charges and changing tariff periods are separate. This estimate does not describe the full bill or justify electrical modifications.

Report unclear guidance or a result that needs checking.