Guides
Electricity Cost Guides
Simple explanations for the numbers behind appliance running costs.
Core measurement guides
Start here when you need better inputs than a generic wattage estimate.
Measurement How to Measure Appliance Electricity Use Accurately Measure appliance electricity use with label watts, a plug-in meter, annual kWh, or circuit data. Measurement Appliance Duty Cycle, Runtime and Electricity Cost Calculate active runtime and cost for cycling refrigerators, air conditioners, heaters, and pumps. Electronics Standby Power Cost: Watts, kWh and Yearly Cost Calculate monthly and yearly cost for devices that draw power while idle, asleep, or apparently off.
Electricity cost fundamentals
Use these supporting guides for formulas, rates, wattage ranges, and practical savings.
Basics Watts to kWh Understand the unit used on electricity bills. Basics How to Calculate Electricity Cost Use watts, hours, and price per kWh to estimate running cost, including cost per hour by wattage. Appliance Planning Average Appliance Wattage Compare typical wattage ranges for common household appliances. Utility Bills Electricity Rate Cost per kWh Learn what cost per kWh means and where to find your rate. Saving Energy Appliance Energy Saving Tips Practical ways to lower appliance running costs at home. Methodology References and Methodology See how WattCostGuide handles formulas, wattage ranges, electricity rates, and limitations.
Popular appliance calculators
After reading the basics, use a calculator to estimate a real appliance cost.