Energy use and cost
Electricity cost calculator for appliances
Cost = watts × hours of use ÷ 1,000 × price per kWh. At the U.S. average of 18.19¢/kWh (EIA, January–July 2026), a 1,500 W space heater running 6 hours a day costs about $49 a month.
$49.11a month (30 days)
- Per hour of use
- $0.27
- Per day
- $1.64 · 9.00 kWh
- Per month
- 270.0 kWh
- Per year
- $597.54 · 3,285 kWh
Wattage on the nameplate is the maximum. Thermostat-controlled appliances (fridges, heaters, AC) cycle, so their real cost is usually lower; a plug-in meter tells you exactly.
Electricity cost formula
kWh per day = watts × hours per day ÷ 1,000 cost per day = kWh per day × price per kWh per month = cost per day × days
This is the method the U.S. Department of Energy recommends. The weak point is the wattage: the nameplate shows the maximum, and anything with a thermostat or a compressor runs below it most of the time. For a refrigerator, use the yearly kWh on its yellow EnergyGuide label (divide by 365 for kWh per day) or measure it with a plug-in watt meter for a day.
What common appliances cost at the U.S. average price
At 18.19¢/kWh, the average U.S. residential price for January–July 2026 (EIA, preliminary), 30-day month.
| Appliance | Watts | h/day | kWh/month | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator (modern, ENERGY STAR) · compressor runs about 10 of 24 h | 150 | 10 | 45.0 | $8.19 | $99.59 |
| Central AC, 3 ton · summer day | 3,500 | 8 | 840.0 | $152.80 | $1,859 |
| Window AC, 10,000 BTU · summer day | 900 | 8 | 216.0 | $39.29 | $478.03 |
| Space heater · one room | 1,500 | 6 | 270.0 | $49.11 | $597.54 |
| Electric water heater · family of four | 4,500 | 3 | 405.0 | $73.67 | $896.31 |
| Electric clothes dryer · one load a day | 5,400 | 0.75 | 121.5 | $22.10 | $268.89 |
| Dehumidifier · damp basement | 785 | 12 | 282.6 | $51.40 | $625.43 |
| 55" LED TV | 100 | 5 | 15.0 | $2.73 | $33.20 |
| Desktop computer · work day | 120 | 8 | 28.8 | $5.24 | $63.74 |
| Gaming PC under load | 450 | 3 | 40.5 | $7.37 | $89.63 |
| Wi-Fi router + modem · always on | 25 | 24 | 18.0 | $3.27 | $39.84 |
| Level 2 EV charging, 32 A · about 40 miles a day | 7,680 | 1.50 | 345.6 | $62.86 | $764.85 |
Your state changes the answer by 3×
The cheapest residential electricity in the first seven months of 2026 was in North Dakota (12.36¢) and Nebraska (12.90¢). The most expensive: Hawaii (46.28¢) and California (33.25¢). The same space heater that costs $33.37 a month in North Dakota costs $124.96 in Hawaii. See every state on the electricity prices by state page.
Averages hide a lot. Your own rate depends on your utility, tiered or time-of-use pricing and fixed monthly charges. For the most accurate number, divide your last bill's total by the kWh it lists.
Common questions
How much does it cost to run a space heater?
A 1,500 W heater costs $0.27 an hour at the U.S. average price, or about $49 a month at 6 hours a day.
How much electricity does a refrigerator use?
A modern ENERGY STAR refrigerator uses 350–650 kWh a year, about 1–1.8 kWh a day. Older models from the 1990s can use twice that.
What is a kilowatt-hour?
1,000 watts used for one hour. A 100 W TV on for 10 hours uses 1 kWh.
Guides that use this calculator
- How Much Does It Cost to Run a Space Heater?
- How Much Does It Cost to Charge an EV at Home? (By State)