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What appliances cost to run

Watts, hours and your rate.

5 min read

To estimate what an appliance costs, you need three numbers: its power in watts, how many hours it runs, and your electricity rate.

The formula

  1. Watts x hours a day / 1,000 = kilowatt-hours (kWh) a day
  2. kWh a day x days = kWh a month
  3. kWh x your rate per kWh = cost

Buying new?

The yellow EnergyGuide label shows estimated yearly energy use and cost, so you can compare models. ENERGY STAR models are tested to use less energy.

General educational information. Savings vary by home, climate and rates. Savings Lantern isn't paid by any utility, energy supplier, installer or product maker.