Appliance Running Cost Calculator
Estimate how much an appliance costs to run based on power usage, daily hours, electricity rate and usage days.
Overview
The Appliance Running Cost Calculator estimates how much it costs to use an electrical appliance based on its power rating, daily usage time, number of days and your electricity price per kWh. You can also include standby power to get a more realistic estimate for devices that draw electricity even when not in active use.
How it works
The calculator converts the appliance power from watts to kilowatts, multiplies it by the hours used per day, and then adds any standby energy used during the remaining hours of the day. It then multiplies the total kWh usage by your electricity rate to estimate the running cost. Monthly and annual costs are based on the same daily usage pattern.
How to use this calculator
- 1Enter the appliance power in watts.
- 2Add the number of hours the appliance is used each day.
- 3Enter the number of days you want to estimate.
- 4Type in your electricity rate per kWh.
- 5Add standby power if the appliance uses energy when idle, then review the total, monthly and annual costs.
Example Calculation
Appliance Power
1500
Hours Used Per Day
3
Number of Days
30
Electricity Rate
$0
Standby Power
0
Total Cost
$40.50
A 1500 W appliance used for 3 hours per day at 0.30 per kWh would use about 135 kWh over 30 days and cost around 40.50. At the same usage level, that is about 40.50 per month and 492.75 per year.
Frequently asked questions
What does this calculator estimate?
It estimates how much electricity an appliance uses and how much it costs to run over a chosen period.
Where do I find the appliance power rating?
You can usually find it on the appliance label, packaging or user manual, often shown in watts or kilowatts.
Should I include standby power?
Yes, if the appliance still draws electricity when not actively running. This can improve the estimate for TVs, game consoles, microwaves and similar devices.
Is the result exact?
No. It is an estimate based on the power you enter, your usage pattern and a constant electricity rate.
What if my electricity tariff changes by time of day?
This calculator uses a single average rate, so it may not fully reflect time-of-use or tiered pricing plans.
Can I use this for any appliance?
Yes, as long as you know the appliance power and approximate daily usage. It works for heaters, fans, TVs, computers, kettles and more.
Explore Related Calculators
Assumptions and warnings
Assumptions
- The appliance runs at the entered power rating during active use.
- The electricity rate stays the same over the period.
- Standby usage is estimated for the hours the appliance is not actively used each day.
- Results are estimates and do not include fixed charges, tiered tariffs or taxes unless already built into your unit rate.