How much does it cost to run household appliances?
Running cost = watts × hours ÷ 1,000 × your electricity rate. At the US average residential rate of 18.16¢ per kWh (12-month average):
| Appliance | Typical wattage | Cost per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Space heater | 750–1,500 W | $0.14–$0.27 |
| Refrigerator | 725 W | $0.13 |
| Clothes dryer | 1,800–5,000 W | $0.33–$0.91 |
| Washing machine | 350–500 W | $0.06–$0.09 |
| Dishwasher | 1,200–2,400 W | $0.22–$0.44 |
| Electric water heater | 4,500–5,500 W | $0.82–$1.00 |
| Microwave | 750–1,100 W | $0.14–$0.20 |
| Window fan | 55–250 W | $0.01–$0.05 |
| Ceiling fan | 65–175 W | $0.01–$0.03 |
| Furnace fan | 750 W | $0.14 |
| Dehumidifier | 785 W | $0.14 |
| Coffee maker | 900–1,200 W | $0.16–$0.22 |
| Electric kettle | 1,500 W | $0.27 |
| Toaster | 800–1,400 W | $0.15–$0.25 |
| Toaster oven | 1,225 W | $0.22 |
| Hair dryer | 1,200–1,875 W | $0.22–$0.34 |
| Clothes iron | 1,000–1,800 W | $0.18–$0.33 |
| Vacuum cleaner | 1,000–1,440 W | $0.18–$0.26 |
| Desktop computer | 120 W | $0.02 |
| Laptop | 50 W | $0.01 |
| Television (flat screen) | 120 W | $0.02 |
| Electric blanket | 60–100 W | $0.01–$0.02 |
| Well pump | 250–1,100 W | $0.05–$0.20 |
| Aquarium | 50–1,210 W | $0.01–$0.22 |
Use the appliance energy cost calculator for any device. Wattages are typical ranges from Virginia Cooperative Extension; check the label on your own appliance.
Which appliances cost the most to run?
Per hour, the biggest costs come from appliances that make heat. At 18.16¢ per kWh, the highest-wattage appliances in our list are:
- Electric water heater – 4,500–5,500 W, up to $1.00 per hour
- Clothes dryer – 1,800–5,000 W, up to $0.91 per hour
- Dishwasher – 1,200–2,400 W, up to $0.44 per hour
- Hair dryer – 1,200–1,875 W, up to $0.34 per hour
- Clothes iron – 1,000–1,800 W, up to $0.33 per hour
What matters for your bill is wattage × hours. A refrigerator draws far less than a dryer, but it runs every day, so its yearly cost can still be significant.
How to work out any appliance's cost
kWh = watts × hours ÷ 1,000, then cost = kWh × your rate. Example: a 1,500 W space heater for 4 hours uses 6 kWh, which costs $1.09 at 18.16¢/kWh. Use the appliance energy cost calculator or the kWh calculator, and check your appliance's label for its actual wattage.
Cut appliance costs
- Phantom (standby) power: what devices use when switched off.
- What an air conditioner costs to run.
- How to lower your electric bill.
Frequently asked questions
Which household appliance uses the most electricity per hour?
Of the appliances listed, Electric water heater has the highest typical wattage (4,500–5,500 W). Heat-producing appliances use the most power while running.
How do I calculate the cost to run an appliance?
Multiply watts by hours used and divide by 1,000 to get kWh, then multiply by your electricity rate. At 18.16¢ per kWh, 1 kWh costs $0.18.
Where do these wattages come from?
Typical wattage ranges come from Virginia Cooperative Extension's appliance usage chart (and the US Department of Energy for some items). Your model's label is the most accurate figure.
How much does a space heater cost to run per hour?
A 750–1,500 W space heater costs about $0.14–$0.27 per hour at the US average rate of 18.16¢ per kWh.