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What common appliances cost per month
At the lowest state average, the U.S. average, and the highest. Typical running watts and daily hours, so use your own numbers for a better figure.
| Appliance | Typical use | kWh a month | North Dakota (11.81¢) | U.S. average (17.30¢) | Hawaii (40.59¢) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 150 W × 8 h | 36 | $4.31 | $6.31 | $14.82 |
| Space heater | 1,500 W × 4 h | 182 | $21.55 | $31.57 | $74.08 |
| Window air conditioner | 700 W × 8 h | 170 | $20.12 | $29.47 | $69.14 |
| Electric water heater | 4,500 W × 3 h | 411 | $48.49 | $71.04 | $166.67 |
| Electric clothes dryer | 3,000 W × 0.75 h | 68 | $8.08 | $11.84 | $27.78 |
| Desktop computer | 150 W × 6 h | 27 | $3.23 | $4.74 | $11.11 |
| TV | 100 W × 4 h | 12 | $1.44 | $2.10 | $4.94 |
| Wi-Fi router | 15 W × 24 h | 11 | $1.29 | $1.89 | $4.44 |
| LED lights | 100 W × 5 h | 15 | $1.80 | $2.63 | $6.17 |
| Well pump | 1,000 W × 1.5 h | 46 | $5.39 | $7.89 | $18.52 |
Look at the three big ones: the water heater, the space heater and the air conditioner. A few hours of a heating appliance costs more than a day of lights, a router and a fridge combined. That is where a high bill usually comes from.
How the cost is calculated
- Energy (kWh a month) = watts × hours per day × 30.4 days ÷ 1,000.
- Cost = kWh × price per kWh. Yearly cost is twelve times the monthly cost.
- The state price is the 2025 average residential revenue per kWh from U.S. Energy Information Administration data. It includes fixed charges and riders spread over each kWh, so it is closer to what you really pay than the energy rate alone.
- The “average home” comparison uses the same data’s average monthly use for the state, from 464 kWh in California to 1,223 kWh in Louisiana.
It does not model tiered or time-of-use rates, demand charges, or appliances that cycle, so treat it as a guide and check your own bill.
Ways to cut a bill, starting with the biggest
- Heat and cooling first. Space heaters, window air conditioners and electric water heaters dominate most bills. Lower the thermostat on the water heater, and use heat only where you are.
- Check old appliances. A fridge or chest freezer that is 15 or more years old can use several times as much as a new one. Measure it with a watt meter before replacing it.
- Look for always-on devices. A set of small loads running 24 hours adds up. A power strip can cut the ones you do not need overnight.
- Move big loads off peak if your plan has time-of-use rates.
Using it anywhere
- The state list is for the United States. Anywhere else, type your own price per kWh from your bill, in your own currency, and read the dollar sign as your currency.
- Watts, hours and kWh work everywhere.
- Numbers follow your region’s format.
Why your real bill differs
- Appliances cycle. A fridge or air conditioner does not draw full power all day, so use the hours it actually runs.
- Tiered and time-of-use rates. Your last kWh may cost more than the average.
- Standby power. Chargers, set-top boxes and consoles draw power while “off.”
- Seasons. Heating and cooling swing your monthly use a lot.
Common questions
How much does it cost to run a refrigerator?
A typical refrigerator draws about 150 W while its compressor runs, roughly 8 hours a day, which is about 36 kWh a month. That costs about $6.31 a month at the U.S. average of 17.3¢ per kWh, and about $14.82 in Hawaii.
How much does a space heater cost per month?
A 1,500 W space heater running 4 hours a day uses about 182 kWh a month. At the U.S. average that is about $31.57, and over $70 in Hawaii. Running it 8 hours a day doubles that.
How do I calculate what an appliance costs to run?
Multiply its watts by the hours it runs, divide by 1,000 to get kilowatt-hours, then multiply by your price per kWh. A 100 W device running 10 hours uses 1 kWh, which costs about 17 cents at the U.S. average. The calculator does this for every appliance and adds them up.
What is the average electric bill in the United States?
About $150 a month in 2025, for roughly 869 kWh at about 17.3¢ per kWh, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration data. It ranges widely by state, from about $98 in New Mexico to about $207 in Hawaii.
Why is my real bill higher than the calculator says?
The calculator counts only the appliances you list. Your bill also covers everything else you run, standby power, tiered or time-of-use rates and any fixed charges that are not in the state average. List more of your appliances, or measure them with a watt meter, to close the gap.
How do I find an appliance’s watts?
Look for the label on the back or bottom, which may list watts or amps and volts. Multiply amps by volts if only those are shown. A plug-in watt meter is the most accurate, because it shows real use over time, including a fridge’s cycling.
Related calculators
To plan solar for your bill, see the bill to solar calculator. To size a battery or generator for outages, use the power outage calculator, and for appliance power while camping the van and RV solar calculator.
Not sure of an appliance’s watts? Check the appliance wattage chart.