Calculate electricity cost for any appliance based on wattage, usage hours, and rate. See daily, monthly, and yearly costs with comparison tables.
The Appliance Wattage Calculator estimates how much it costs to run an appliance based on its wattage, daily usage hours, and electricity rate. It turns a power rating into daily, monthly, and yearly cost figures so you can compare devices in the same units.
Every appliance has a rated wattage, usually printed on the label or in the manual. A microwave, ceiling fan, and clothes dryer can all be compared on the same page once you convert watts into kilowatt-hours and then into dollars.
Preset buttons, a reference table, and the amps output make the calculator useful for both cost planning and basic circuit checks.
Wattage is easier to act on when it is translated into actual cost. Seeing the numbers per day, month, and year helps you compare appliances, spot expensive habits, and decide whether a device is cheap enough to leave running.
kW = Watts / 1,000 Daily kWh = kW × Hours per Day × Quantity Monthly kWh = Daily kWh × Days per Month Yearly kWh = Monthly kWh × 12 Cost = kWh × Rate ($/kWh) Amps = Watts / Voltage
Result: $9.00/month ($108/year)
A 1,000-watt microwave used 2 hours per day at $0.15/kWh costs $0.30/day, $9.00/month, and $108.00/year. It draws 2 kWh daily and 8.33 amps on a 120V circuit.
Electricity is billed in kilowatt-hours (kWh). One kWh equals using 1,000 watts for 1 hour. A 100-watt light bulb running 10 hours uses 1 kWh. This calculator converts any appliance\'s usage into kWh and then into dollars.
LED bulbs use 10W vs. 60W incandescent. Inverter AC units use 30-50% less than conventional ones. Heat pump dryers use half the energy of conventional dryers. Understanding wattage helps you evaluate whether the upfront cost of efficient appliances pays off.
Knowing your appliance\'s amperage draw is essential for circuit planning. A standard 15-amp circuit can safely handle about 1,800 watts. Running multiple high-wattage appliances on the same circuit can trip breakers or create fire hazards.
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Check the label on the back or bottom of the device, the user manual, or search the model number online. Wattage is usually listed near the power input specifications.
US residential rates average about $0.12-$0.16/kWh but vary widely by state: Hawaii is ~$0.31, Louisiana is ~$0.09. Check your utility bill for your exact rate.
BTU measures thermal output. Heat-generating appliances (space heaters, hair dryers) contribute to home heating in winter but add unwanted heat in summer, increasing AC costs.
Standard US outlets provide 15 or 20 amps. If your appliance draws more than 12 amps, it needs a dedicated circuit. 240V appliances (dryers, ovens) have different requirements.
Many do. "Phantom load" or "standby power" can add 5-10% to your electricity bill. This calculator shows active-use costs; phantom loads are additional.
Use appliances during off-peak hours if your utility offers time-of-use rates, upgrade to Energy Star models, reduce usage hours, and unplug devices when not in use.