Home Energy Cost Calculator — Listed-Appliance Estimate

Estimate a subtotal for the appliances you list

Quick Answer

Add the appliances you want to estimate and choose the input method that matches each one: watts and daily runtime for steady loads, annual kWh from an EnergyGuide label for refrigerators and similar cycling appliances, or kWh per cycle for laundry and dishwashing. Results are listed-appliance estimates, not exact utility bills.

Electricity rates: U.S. EIA, May 2026

WattItCost is an independent appliance energy-cost calculator project.

Read the full calculation methodology How we calculate →

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Summary

Formula

Watts mode: daily kWh = (watts ÷ 1,000) × hours/day; 30-day kWh = daily kWh × 30; annual kWh = daily kWh × 365. EnergyGuide mode: annual cost = annual label kWh × rate. Per-cycle mode: per-cycle cost = kWh per cycle × rate.

Data used

Calculator results use user-entered wattage and usage hours, combined with residential electricity rates for the selected U.S. state or the rate entered from a utility bill.

Sources

EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A residential

EIA data period: May 2026EIA source release date: July 23, 2026WattItCost site update date: July 30, 2026

Limits

These estimates do not reproduce a utility bill. Actual costs depend on your tariff, taxes, appliance cycling, efficiency, and how you use the appliance.

Electricity cost by state

Browse Listed Appliance Cost estimates for every U.S. state and the District of Columbia.

View all state calculators

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What is the average US electricity bill?

About $137/month or $1,644/year as of 2024 (EIA data). This varies dramatically by state — from ~$90/month in Utah to ~$180/month in Connecticut.

What appliance uses the most electricity?

Heating and cooling account for 45–50% of the average bill. After that, the electric water heater and clothes dryer are usually the biggest single consumers.

How can I lower my electricity bill?

Target the biggest consumers first. Switch to LED bulbs (saves $5–10/month), use a programmable thermostat (saves $10–20/month), run full loads in washer/dryer, and unplug standby electronics.

Does unplugging devices save money?

Slightly. Standby power ('phantom load') accounts for 5–10% of home electricity use — roughly $7–14/month. Unplugging or using smart power strips helps, but it's not where the biggest savings are.