Pick an appliance or enter its wattage, how long you use it and your electricity price. You’ll see the cost per hour, day, month and year, next to other common appliances.
How electricity cost is calculated
Cost = kWh × price per kWh
Worked example: a space heater
A 1,500-watt heater running 8 hours a day uses 12 kWh. At 19¢ per kWh that’s $2.28 a day, or $68.40 a month. Running it only 4 hours halves the cost.
Typical appliance wattage
| Appliance | Typical watts | Cost per hour at 19¢ |
|---|---|---|
| LED bulb | 8–10 | under 1¢ |
| TV | 60–150 | 1–3¢ |
| Gaming PC | 300–600 | 6–11¢ |
| Window air conditioner | 500–1,500 | 10–29¢ |
| Space heater | 1,500 | 29¢ |
| Clothes dryer | 2,000–5,000 | 38–95¢ |
| Central air conditioner | 3,000–5,000 | 57–95¢ |
The label wattage is the maximum. Refrigerators and air conditioners cycle on and off, so their average draw is much lower. The refrigerator default uses an average of 60 watts, which is about 1.4 kWh a day.
Electricity prices
The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported an average residential price of about 18.8¢ per kWh in April 2026. Rates vary widely: several New England states and California pay well over 25¢, while parts of the South and Northwest pay closer to 12–14¢. Your bill shows your exact rate; divide the total charge by the kWh used to include fees.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find an appliance’s wattage?
Look for a label on the back or bottom, or in the manual. If it lists amps, multiply amps by 120 volts.
What does it cost to charge an EV at home?
Choose “EV charger, Level 2” above. An EV that drives 1,000 miles a month uses about 300 kWh, roughly $57 at 19¢.
Are space heaters expensive to run?
At 1,500 watts they cost about 29¢ an hour at average rates. Heating one room for a few hours can be cheaper than heating the whole house.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly (April 2026 data).
