Updated
5 Practical Ways to Reduce Appliance Electricity Costs
WattItCost is an independent appliance energy-cost calculator project.
Start with appliances that combine high wattage with long operating time. Heating, cooling, water heating, dryers, pumps and continuously running equipment usually deserve more attention than one small standby device.
The configured US average electricity rate is $0.18 per kWh, but your own utility rate and appliance use determine your actual cost. The checks below help identify avoidable use without promising a fixed saving.
1. Match portable-heater use to the occupied space
A 1,500-watt heater running eight hours a day costs around $66.38 over 30 days at the configured national average rate. A 750-watt heater uses half as much electricity for the same runtime, but it also provides less heat. Compare only options that can meet the same comfort need.
Use the Space Heater Running Cost Calculator with your heater wattage, realistic runtime and bill rate before changing equipment or operating time.
2. Turn portable heaters off safely
CPSC guidance says not to leave a portable heater operating unattended and not to sleep while it is running. Turn it off when leaving the room and before going to bed.
Reducing unnecessary runtime can lower electricity use, but safety should determine when and how a portable heater is used.
3. Use your actual electricity rate
Electricity prices vary by state, utility, plan and billing period. The configured state averages range from $0.12 per kWh in Idaho to $0.52 per kWh in Hawaii, but neither figure is an exact customer tariff.
Check Electricity Rates by State for comparison, then use the rate from your own bill whenever possible.
4. Shift flexible appliance use only when your tariff rewards it
If your utility offers time-of-use pricing, running a dishwasher, washing machine or dryer during the plan's lower-price periods may reduce operating cost. The useful hours and possible saving depend on the actual tariff.
Check the utility schedule first. Moving appliance use to a different hour does not reduce cost under a flat-rate plan.
5. Compare purchase price with estimated running cost
A lower purchase price does not always mean a lower total ownership cost. Compare annual kWh from an EnergyGuide label or manufacturer documentation when available, and make sure the products provide a reasonably similar service.
Use the Home Energy Breakdown to organize household estimates and see the Methodology for the calculation formulas and limitations.
What to check first
Begin with the appliance or system that combines the highest realistic power draw with the longest runtime. Confirm its wattage or annual kWh, estimate how long it actually operates and enter your own electricity rate.
Results remain estimates. Thermostat cycling, variable-speed equipment, weather, household behavior, tiered prices, time-of-use periods, taxes and fixed utility charges can change the final bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which appliances should I check first for electricity savings?
Start with equipment that combines high power with long or frequent runtime, such as electric heating, air conditioning, water heating, dryers and pumps.
Will using an appliance at night always cost less?
No. It may cost less only when your utility plan has lower-priced time-of-use periods. A flat-rate plan charges the same energy rate regardless of the hour.
Are WattItCost savings estimates guaranteed?
No. They are modeled estimates based on the entered wattage, runtime and electricity rate. Actual appliance use and utility bills may differ.