Electricity Resources Hub
Understand your electricity usage and costs. Calculate how much appliances cost to run and learn to manage your power consumption.
Electricity is one of the largest recurring household expenses, yet most people have little visibility into where their money goes. The average US household spends about $137 per month on electricity, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), but costs vary dramatically by region — from under $100/month in the Pacific Northwest to over $200/month in New England and Hawaii.
Understanding your electricity consumption starts with knowing what uses the most power. Heating and cooling typically account for 40-50% of a home's electricity bill, followed by water heating (12-14%), lighting (9-12%), and appliances (8-10%). The remaining usage comes from electronics, cooking, and miscellaneous devices. By identifying your biggest energy consumers, you can make targeted changes that actually reduce your bill.
Our calculator and reference guides below help you estimate the real cost of running any appliance. Enter the wattage (found on the device label or in the manual) and your daily usage hours to see costs per day, month, and year at your local electricity rate.
Calculators
Typical Appliance Costs
Based on $0.16/kWh and 8 hours/day usage. Calculate your own →
Voltage by Region
Standard household voltage varies by country. Check before traveling with appliances.
Common Questions
- How Much Electricity Does a TV Use?
- How Much Electricity Does a Refrigerator Use?
- Cost to Run a Space Heater
- Cost to Run an Air Conditioner
- How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Phone?
- How Much Electricity Does a Computer Use?
- Does Leaving Things Plugged In Use Electricity?
- How to Read an Electric Meter
Energy Saving Tips
Devices on standby draw 1-5W continuously. The average household wastes $100-200/year on phantom power. Use smart power strips to cut power to entertainment centers and home offices.
LEDs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 25,000+ hours vs. 1,000 hours. Switching 20 bulbs saves roughly $150-200/year on electricity.
Each 1°F adjustment saves about 1-3% on heating/cooling costs. A programmable thermostat that lowers temperature 7-10°F for 8 hours/day can save up to $150/year.
A washing machine uses roughly the same energy whether half-full or completely full. Waiting for full loads can save 3,000+ gallons of water and $100+ per year.
Understanding Your Electric Bill
Your electric bill consists of several components beyond just the energy you consume. Most bills include a fixed monthly service charge ($5-15), an energy charge based on kWh consumed, delivery or transmission charges to cover grid infrastructure, and various taxes and fees. The energy charge is the only part you can reduce by changing your consumption habits.
Many utilities offer tiered pricing, where the first block of kWh costs less and usage above a threshold costs more. Others use time-of-use (TOU) rates, where electricity is cheapest overnight (typically $0.08-0.12/kWh) and most expensive during peak afternoon hours ($0.25-0.45/kWh). If your utility offers TOU pricing, shifting heavy appliance use (laundry, dishwasher, EV charging) to off-peak hours can cut your bill by 15-25%.
To monitor your usage in real time, consider a whole-home energy monitor like Sense or Emporia Vue, which clamps onto your electrical panel and tracks individual appliance consumption through your phone. These devices typically pay for themselves within 6-12 months through the savings they help you identify.