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Electricity Bill Calculator

Calculate your energy cost

W
hrs/day
days
$/kWh
Result
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Formula

kWhkWh = W × hrs × days / 1000
Cost$ = kWh × rate

Common Appliance Wattage

ApplianceWatts
LED Bulb10W
Laptop50W
TV (LED 50")100W
Refrigerator150W
AC Window1000W
Space Heater1500W
Hair Dryer1800W

Related

Energy ConsumptionkW to kWhEnergy Cost

Understanding Your Electricity Bill

Your electricity bill is based on energy consumption measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Understanding how appliances contribute to your bill helps you make informed decisions about energy usage and identify opportunities for savings.

How Electricity Billing Works

Utility companies charge by the kWh. One kilowatt-hour equals using 1000 watts for one hour, or equivalently, 100 watts for 10 hours, or 10 watts for 100 hours. Your bill = Total kWh × Rate per kWh + fixed charges/taxes.

Finding Your Electricity Rate

Check your utility bill for the rate per kWh. Note that rates may vary by: time of use (peak vs off-peak), season (summer vs winter), usage tier (higher usage = higher rate), and customer type (residential vs commercial).

Energy Saving Tips

  • Switch to LED bulbs: Uses 75% less energy than incandescent
  • Unplug idle electronics: Phantom loads cost $100+/year
  • Use smart power strips: Auto-cut power to idle devices
  • Set AC to 78°F: Each degree lower adds 3-5% to cooling costs
  • Run appliances during off-peak hours: If your utility offers time-of-use rates
  • Wash with cold water: 90% of washing machine energy heats water

Frequently Asked Questions

Multiply wattage × hours used × days, divide by 1000 to get kWh, then multiply by your rate. Example: 1500W heater × 4 hours × 30 days = 180,000 Wh = 180 kWh. At $0.12/kWh, cost = 180 × $0.12 = $21.60/month.

A kWh is a unit of energy, not power. It represents using 1000 watts for one hour. Your electricity meter measures kWh consumed. A 100W bulb running for 10 hours uses 1 kWh. A 2000W heater running for 0.5 hours also uses 1 kWh.

US average is about $0.12-0.15/kWh but varies greatly by location. Louisiana/Idaho ~$0.08, California ~$0.22, Hawaii ~$0.30. India averages ₹5-8/kWh. Check your actual bill - rates may include multiple tiers and time-of-use variations.

Typically: HVAC (heating/cooling) ~50%, water heater ~15%, washer/dryer ~13%, lighting ~12%, refrigerator ~4%, TV/electronics ~4%. Air conditioning alone can account for 70%+ in hot climates during summer months.

Quick wins: LED bulbs (75% less energy), smart thermostat (10-15% savings), unplug chargers/devices, wash clothes in cold water, air dry dishes, seal air leaks, clean AC filters monthly. Bigger investments: Energy Star appliances, solar panels, insulation upgrades.

Phantom or standby power is energy consumed by devices when "off" but still plugged in. TVs, game consoles, phone chargers, and computers can use 5-25W continuously. This can add $100-200/year to your bill. Use smart power strips to eliminate phantom loads.

No, this is a myth. The tiny surge when turning on a light is negligible. Always turn off lights when leaving a room. For LEDs and CFLs, there's no benefit to leaving them on. For fluorescents, turn off if leaving for more than 15 minutes.

Some utilities charge different rates based on time of day. Peak hours (usually 4-9 PM) cost more, off-peak hours (night/early morning) cost less. Shift heavy usage (laundry, dishwasher, EV charging) to off-peak hours to save 20-40% on those activities.