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To estimate an appliance’s electricity cost, multiply the energy it uses in kilowatt-hours (kWh) by the electricity rate that applies to that use. If you know only its power in watts and how long it runs, calculate kWh as watts × hours ÷ 1,000, then multiply by your rate. The result is an estimate, not a promise about your bill: the appliance’s actual use, your schedule and your utility tariff all matter.
Why there is no single running cost for an appliance
Two appliances of the same type can use different amounts of electricity, and even the same appliance can cost different amounts to run in different homes. The model affects energy use; your frequency and duration of use affect how much energy it consumes; and your electricity plan determines what each kWh costs. A refrigerator that operates continuously, for example, should not be estimated in the same way as a dishwasher that runs only when you start a cycle.
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The useful comparison is therefore not “What does a dishwasher cost to run?” in the abstract, but “How many kWh does this model use under a stated test or use pattern, and what rate applies to me?” For a per-cycle appliance, work in cost per cycle and multiply by your expected cycles. For an appliance with an annual energy estimate, work in annual kWh and calculate the cost at your own rate.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Electricity 101 page reports that a typical U.S. household uses 920 kWh per month and that appliances account for 64.7% of consumption. Those broad figures are household context, not a prediction for your home or an appliance-specific cost. The page’s publication year is not visible, so do not treat them as a current 2026 benchmark.
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- Various Monitoring Parameters: The power meter plug can monitor the power (W), energy (kWh), volts, amps, hertz, power factor, cost, minimum and maximum power (W), cumulative days and time of your appliances. By switching 7 display modes, you can easily know the various parameters while the appliance is working. The home energy monitor can also calculate and display how much power your appliance uses and how much electricity bill it cost in cumulative time
- Upgraded LCD Display: With large screen size 2.36 inch x 1.85 inch, clearer monitor backlit, our electrical usage monitor can display the data clearer and more visible no matter day or night. 180°full wide viewing angles is great for reading and recording the data in any angles. No need to stand on the front of the display and bend over to read the numbers
- Adjustable Backlight Time: Our upgraded watt meter has 5 options of backlight time. The default backlight time duration is 10 minutes(bL-0). If you want to change the backlight time, you can press and hold "UP" and "DOWN" button at the same time to enter backlight time setting, then press "UP" and "DOWN" to select the backlight time (bL-0 =10 minutes, bL-1=1 hour, bL-2=4 hours, bL-3=8 hours, bL-4=always on), finally press the "COST" to save the backlight time settings
- Overload protection: When the power of the appliance exceeds the overload power, the LCD will display “OVERLOAD” to warn the user. All the buttons will quit working and can only be workable when you lower or remove the load power. The default overload power is 3680W and is adjustable from 0 to 3680W. In general, you need to set the overload power to 1800W before using. Just press the "function" button for more than 3 seconds to enter the setting
- Data Memory Function: The wattage meter will record your power consumption data when you remove it from socket, or remove appliances from the electricity monitor. You can directly see the last data when you use it next time. This function can also automatically save the data when there is a sudden power failure
Calculate the cost from kWh
A kilowatt-hour is a unit of energy. If a label or product estimate gives you energy use in kWh, the basic calculation is:
Energy cost = kWh used × electricity price per kWh
For one cycle, use the cycle’s energy use. For a monthly or annual estimate, use energy for the corresponding period. For example, if an appliance uses 1 kWh and your applicable rate is $0.20 per kWh, the estimated energy cost is $0.20. The $0.20 rate here is only an arithmetic example, not a national or current price.
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Convert watts to kilowatts by dividing by 1,000, then multiply by hours:
kWh = watts × hours ÷ 1,000
For instance, a hypothetical 500-watt appliance running for two hours uses 1 kWh (500 × 2 ÷ 1,000). At the hypothetical $0.20-per-kWh rate, that is an estimated $0.20 for those two hours. This method is useful when the appliance’s energy use is not already given in kWh, but the result depends on the wattage and run time you use in the calculation.
Rank #2
- Multi-function power monitor: Our electric usage monitor can monitor the power (W), electricity(kWh), voltage(V), frequency(Hz), current(A), power factor(PF), unit price($/kWh), total cost($) of your appliances. By switching 8 display modes, you can easily know the various parameters while the appliance is working. The “electricity” mode can calculate and display how much power your appliance uses. And the “total cost” mode will show how much electricity bill it cost in cumulative time
- Overload protection: When the loading power of the appliance is over the default overload threshold 1800W, the whole display with backlight and the word “OVERLOAD” will keep flashing to warn the users. Please turn off the appliance for safety concern
- Premium Material: The whole body of our energy meter is made of high-quality ABS material. It makes our home electricity usage monitor more long lasting, fireproof and anti-drop. The standard US socket and plug is suitable for all US standard appliances
- Backlight Display: With white backlight and black words, the LCD display of our home power monitor can display the data clearer and help you to read the data easier no matter day or night. The backlight will only lights up when the device is connected to AC power. If no button is pressed, the backlight turns off automatically after 10 minutes. You can also press the "UP" button to turn off the backlight manually, and press any button to turn on backlight again
- Easy to reset: No reset tool needed, our appliance power usage meter is easy to reset. You can press the “M” button for 5 seconds directly to reset the device. After reset, all cumulative data (electricity quantity, cost) will be cleared, and all settings will be restored to factory settings
Multiply to match the period you care about
- One cycle: kWh per cycle × applicable electricity rate.
- One month: estimated monthly kWh × applicable rate.
- One year: annual kWh × applicable rate.
Keep the period and use pattern visible in your estimate. A per-cycle result is not a monthly cost until you multiply by the number of cycles you expect to run. Likewise, an annual estimate is not a guarantee that every year’s bill will be identical.
Find the electricity rate that applies to you
Check your electricity bill or utility plan for the price per kWh. Use the rate that applies to the additional energy the appliance consumes—not simply the total amount due on the bill divided by total kWh, if that bill includes charges that would remain even if you stopped using the appliance.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Dividing a bill’s total by its kWh can give a rough blended rate, but fixed monthly charges do not disappear when you switch off one appliance. Plans with time-of-use pricing or tiered rates can also charge different prices depending on when energy is used or how much is consumed. Delivery charges, taxes and other fees may affect the final bill, so a simple energy-only calculation can differ from the amount added to your statement.
- Look up your plan’s per-kWh prices. Note any time periods or usage tiers that change the rate.
- Match the appliance’s use to the plan. If you know when it runs, use the applicable time-of-use price; if your rate changes by tier, account for the tier that the extra use falls into.
- Calculate energy cost separately from fixed charges. Do not assign an unavoidable monthly fee to a single appliance as though turning it off would eliminate that fee.
- Label your result as an estimate. State the rate, period and use assumptions so someone reading the figure knows what it represents.
No one national electricity price can stand in for every reader’s tariff. If you do not know which rate applies, check the plan or ask the utility rather than treating a generic price as your own.
Use EnergyGuide figures as model estimates
An EnergyGuide label can help compare similar appliances because it reports model energy use and an estimated annual operating cost. The annual cost shown depends on the label’s assumed electricity price and use conditions; your actual rate and schedule may produce a different result. If the label gives annual kWh, multiply that figure by your own applicable rate to make a local energy-cost estimate. If it gives an annual cost, check the assumptions before using it as a forecast for your household.
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Compare like with like. A larger-capacity model may have a different energy estimate for reasons that are not captured by cost alone, and estimates are most informative when the appliances have similar capacities and are measured using comparable test methods and use assumptions. For a real purchase decision, include the purchase price as well as energy and, where relevant, water costs. The DOE’s Guide to Kitchen Appliances puts it plainly: “Every appliance has two price tags: what you pay to purchase it, and what you pay for the energy and water it uses.”
Official examples—and what their numbers mean
The following figures are DOE Federal Energy Management Program examples, not universal prices or forecasts for a reader’s home. Their assumptions and dates matter; use them to understand how estimates are presented, not as a substitute for your own tariff and usage.
| Appliance example | Reported energy and cost | Assumptions and limits |
|---|---|---|
| ENERGY STAR refrigerator | 363.5 kWh per year and $36 per year | FEMP product data dated December 2023; an 18.1-cubic-foot top-freezer refrigerator under the stated test method; estimated cost assumes $0.099/kWh. Not a universal refrigerator cost. |
| ENERGY STAR dishwasher | 240 kWh per year and $24 per year | FEMP product data dated October 2023; the energy-cost estimate uses $0.09/kWh. The combined utility example assumes 215 cycles per year and specified federal-facility water and sewer prices. It is not a local household bill estimate. |
| ENERGY STAR central air conditioner | 2,612 kWh per year and $288 per year | FEMP example for a 36,000 Btu/h unit with specified test assumptions, operating hours and efficiency, using an assumed $0.11/kWh. It does not represent every capacity, climate, operating schedule or window unit. |
These examples illustrate why the rate and conditions belong beside every cost figure. The refrigerator’s $36 estimate uses a stated rate of $0.099/kWh, while the air-conditioner example assumes $0.11/kWh and specific operating conditions. Neither amount is a promise about what a household will pay. The dishwasher example also includes water and sewer assumptions in its combined utility calculation, so it should not be read as electricity-only household spending.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Include water when comparing dishwashers
A dishwasher can affect a household’s water and sewer costs as well as its electricity cost. This distinction matters particularly where water is heated electrically or local water and sewer prices are significant. For a complete comparison, account for energy per cycle, expected cycles, water use per cycle and the local water and sewer charges that apply.
DOE FEMP’s dishwasher example combines energy and water assumptions and uses 215 cycles per year with stated federal-facility water and sewer prices. Those prices and use assumptions are not a general household standard. When comparing two dishwashers, use the same expected number of cycles and local water and sewer prices for both; otherwise, a difference in assumptions can look like a difference in appliance efficiency.
Rank #4
- Various Monitoring Parameters: The power energy meter can monitor the power (W), energy (kWh), volts, amps, hertz, power factor, cost, minimum and maximum power (W), cumulative days and time of your appliances. By switching 7 display modes, you can easily know the various parameters while the appliance is working. The home energy monitor can also calculate and display how much power your appliance uses and how much electricity bill it cost in cumulative time
- Upgraded LCD Display: With large screen size 2.36 inch x 1.85 inch, clearer monitor backlit, our electrical usage monitor can display the data clearer and more visible no matter day or night. 180°full wide viewing angles is great for reading and recording the data in any angles. No need to stand on the front of the display and bend over to read the numbers
- Adjustable Backlight Time: Our upgraded watt meter has 5 options of backlight time. The default backlight time duration is 10 minutes(bL-0). If you want to change the backlight time, you can press and hold "UP" and "DOWN" button at the same time to enter backlight time setting, then press "UP" and "DOWN" to select the backlight time (bL-0 =10 minutes, bL-1=1 hour, bL-2=4 hours, bL-3=8 hours, bL-4=always on), finally press the "COST" to save the backlight time settings
- Overload Protection: When the power of the appliance exceeds the overload power, the LCD will display “OVERLOAD” to warn the user. All the buttons will quit working and can only be workable when you lower or remove the load power. The default overload power is 3680W and is adjustable from 0 to 3680W. In general, you need to set the overload power to 1800W before using. Just press the "function" button for more than 3 seconds to enter the setting
- Data Memory Function: The wattage meter will record your power consumption data when you remove it from socket, or remove appliances from the electricity monitor. You can directly see the last data when you use it next time. This function can also automatically save the data when there is a sudden power failure
Compare the full cost of two appliances
When deciding whether one model is worth choosing over another, calculate what you expect to spend over the period you plan to keep it. A lower annual energy estimate does not, on its own, prove that a more expensive appliance will pay for itself. The relevant question is whether expected energy and water savings over your ownership period justify the additional upfront cost.
- Check that the models are comparable. Compare similar capacity and intended use, and note whether their energy estimates use comparable test methods and assumptions.
- Record annual kWh. Prefer the model’s energy-use figure; do not compare one model’s annual estimate with another’s cost figure unless you understand the cost assumptions.
- Recalculate at your rate. Multiply each model’s annual kWh by your applicable rate. For time-of-use or tiered plans, account for the relevant rate structure rather than assuming one price applies to every kWh.
- Add water and sewer costs where relevant. For dishwashers, use water per cycle, expected cycles and local charges.
- Add purchase price. Compare the upfront price difference with expected energy and water savings during the time you expect to own the appliance.
DOE FEMP describes lifecycle cost-effectiveness in terms of discounted lifetime savings compared with the additional upfront cost. That is a more complete decision than looking at annual energy cost alone, especially when the ownership period is long or the purchase-price difference is substantial. It still depends on realistic usage and cost assumptions; a calculated saving is not assured if your actual schedule, rates or ownership period differ.
Estimate an existing appliance or measure its use
If you have an existing refrigerator or freezer, DOE’s Refrigerator and Freezer Energy Rating Online Search Tool provides model and year estimates for some U.S. consumer models, taking seal condition into account. The page was published November 10, 2023, and its coverage is incomplete, including units above 10 cubic feet. A lookup is a model estimate—not a meter reading and not a way to find your electricity rate.
For some plug-in appliances, a compatible plug-in electricity usage monitor can help determine actual kWh over a period of use. This is an optional measurement approach, not a recommendation for every appliance or a claim about a particular product. Check that the monitor is suitable for the appliance and rated for its electrical load. Do not assume a plug-in monitor is appropriate for hardwired appliances or high-load equipment; the appliance’s installation and the instrument’s ratings matter. Once you have a kWh reading for a representative period, multiply it by the applicable rate and scale it only if the period and usage pattern are representative of the month or year you want to estimate.
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Common estimate mistakes to avoid
- Using watts as though they were kWh. Watts measure power; multiply watts by hours and divide by 1,000 to estimate energy in kWh.
- Forgetting how often the appliance runs. A per-cycle estimate needs the expected number of cycles to become a monthly or annual estimate.
- Treating a label cost as your exact cost. Recalculate from kWh using your rate, or identify the label’s assumptions before relying on its annual cost.
- Using a bill total as the appliance’s marginal price. Fixed charges may remain whether or not the appliance runs, and variable charges can make the applicable rate differ from a simple bill average.
- Comparing unlike models or assumptions. Capacity, cycle count, test method, operating hours and other stated conditions can affect the comparison.
- Ignoring non-electric utility costs. For dishwashers, water and sewer charges may matter alongside electricity.
- Extending an example beyond its scope. An ENERGY STAR refrigerator example does not establish the cost of every refrigerator; a central air-conditioner example does not establish the cost of window units or different capacities.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
