Electricity Cost Calculator
Understand how your appliances and usage patterns translate into energy costs. Adjust electricity rates, demand charges, and taxes to match your utility bill.
Sum the wattage of devices you’re calculating (e.g., 900 W space heater).
Include standby time if the device draws power while idle.
Most bills cover 28–31 days.
Enter fixed monthly fees or peak demand charges.
Energy Usage
81 kWh / month
Effective rate 0.267 $/kWh
Cost Breakdown
Energy: $14.58
Demand: $6
Taxes & fees: $1.03
Total Bill
Monthly: $21.61
Daily avg: $0.72
Yearly: $262.91
Low usage—verify that you are still meeting heating, cooling, and lighting needs comfortably.
How to Use This Calculator
Collect appliance wattage
Check the appliance label or manual. If it lists amps and volts instead, multiply them together to get watts.
Estimate runtime
Enter the average hours per day the appliance operates, including standby time for gadgets that draw power while idle.
Match your utility bill
Use the cost per kWh, demand/customer charge, and tax percentage listed on your statement so the estimate mirrors your bill.
Formula
Energy (kWh) = (Watts × Hours per Day × Days) ÷ 1000
Total Cost = (Energy × Rate) + Demand Charge + Taxes
Example: 900 W × 3 hours × 30 days = 81 kWh. At $0.18/kWh, the energy charge is about $14.58. Add a $6 demand fee and 5% tax → ~$21.43 total.
Daily cost = Monthly total ÷ Days. Yearly cost ≈ Monthly total × (365 ÷ Days in billing cycle).
About the Electricity Cost Calculator
Utility bills blend variable energy usage with fixed fees and taxes. This calculator breaks those components apart so you can budget accurately, evaluate appliance upgrades, and track savings from efficiency projects.
When to Use This Calculator
- Budget planning: Forecast how a new heater, AC unit, or gaming PC impacts monthly bills.
- Energy audits: Identify energy hogs and prioritize upgrades to high-efficiency models.
- Seasonal comparisons: Compare heating vs cooling costs by adjusting runtime and demand charges.
- Solar ROI: Baseline consumption when sizing solar panels or battery storage.
Why Use Our Calculator?
- ✅ Flexible inputs: Works for single devices or bundled household loads.
- ✅ Demand-aware: Includes fixed customer or peak demand charges many tools ignore.
- ✅ Tax ready: Factor in local utility surcharges for true-to-bill totals.
- ✅ Mobile friendly: Use it in-store while comparing appliances.
Common Applications
Homeowners: Compare operating costs of space heaters, dehumidifiers, or pool pumps.
Renters: Track electricity expenses when utilities aren’t bundled into rent.
Facility managers: Allocate energy costs to departments or tenants.
Tips for Best Results
- Use smart plugs or monitoring outlets to capture actual runtime and wattage.
- Split calculations into peak and off-peak rates if you’re on a time-of-use plan.
- Group similar appliances (kitchen, office, entertainment) to see category-level costs.
- Review each utility bill for seasonal riders or fuel cost adjustments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a demand charge?
Demand charges are fixed fees based on your highest peak usage during the billing cycle. Add them here to capture your true cost.
How accurate is this estimate?
The calculator assumes steady wattage. Appliances with compressors or variable speed motors may use less power than their nameplate rating.
Can I compare multiple appliances?
Yes. Sum their wattages in one run or calculate each separately and add the monthly totals.
How can I reduce my electricity bill?
Upgrade to efficient appliances, improve insulation, shift heavy usage to off-peak hours, and adopt smart thermostats or lighting controls.