Electricity Bill Calculator
Our electricity bill calculator helps you find out exactly how much any electrical appliance costs to run. Simply enter the device's power in watts, how many hours per day you use it, the number of days per month, and your local electricity tariff per kilowatt-hour. The calculator will instantly show you the monthly energy consumption in kWh and the monthly and annual cost in your currency.
Electricity bills can be surprisingly high when multiple appliances run constantly. A standard electric kettle at 2,000 W used 3 times a day adds up to around 3 kWh per month — a relatively small figure. But a central air conditioning unit at 3,000 W running 8 hours a day in summer can cost over €50 per month at European rates. Understanding the energy cost of each appliance helps you identify which devices drive your bill the most and where targeted energy-saving measures will have the greatest impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is electricity cost calculated?
Electricity cost = (power in watts ÷ 1000) × hours of use per day × days per month × price per kWh. For example, a 100 W device used 8 hours/day for 30 days at €0.30/kWh: (100 ÷ 1000) × 8 × 30 × 0.30 = €7.20 per month.
What is a kWh?
A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the standard unit of electricity consumption. It represents one kilowatt (1,000 watts) of power used for one hour. Your electricity bill is charged in kWh. A 1,000 W device running for one hour consumes exactly 1 kWh.
How much does a kWh cost?
Electricity prices vary widely by country. In the EU, the average household electricity price is around €0.25–0.40 per kWh. In the US, the average is around $0.13–0.17 per kWh. Nordic countries and France tend to have cheaper electricity due to hydropower and nuclear energy.
Which appliances use the most electricity?
The highest electricity consumers in a typical home are: electric heating/cooling (2,000–5,000 W), electric water heater (2,000–4,500 W), tumble dryer (2,000–4,000 W), dishwasher (1,200–1,800 W), oven (1,500–3,000 W), and washing machine (500–2,500 W). Small electronics like LED bulbs (5–15 W) and laptops (30–80 W) use very little.
How can I reduce my electricity bill?
Key strategies: switch to LED lighting (90% less than incandescent), use appliances on off-peak tariffs, upgrade to energy-efficient appliances (A-rated), unplug chargers and standby devices, insulate your home well, use smart thermostats, and run washing machines and dishwashers at lower temperatures.
What is standby power consumption?
Standby power (also called vampire power) is the electricity consumed by appliances even when switched off but still plugged in. Smart TVs, gaming consoles, and chargers can draw 1–20 W each in standby. Across all devices in a home this can add up to 50–100 kWh per year.
How much electricity does an air conditioner use?
A typical split-unit air conditioner (2.5 kW cooling capacity) consumes about 750–900 W per hour. Running it 8 hours/day for 30 days costs approximately 180–216 kWh — at €0.30/kWh, that's €54–65 per month. Modern inverter ACs are 30–50% more efficient than older fixed-speed models.
How much does electric vehicle charging cost?
Most EV batteries hold 40–100 kWh. A full charge from 10% to 100% for a 60 kWh battery costs about €18 at €0.30/kWh. Per 100 km, EVs typically consume 15–20 kWh, costing €4.50–6.00 at European rates versus €8–12 for a petrol car.
What is the average household electricity consumption?
Average annual electricity consumption: US household ~10,500 kWh; EU household ~3,500–4,500 kWh (varies widely by country and climate); UK household ~3,200 kWh. Larger homes, electric heating, and more occupants increase consumption.
Is solar power worth it to reduce electricity bills?
In most sunny countries, a 4–6 kW rooftop solar system generates 4,000–7,000 kWh per year, potentially covering 50–100% of a household's needs. Payback periods are typically 6–10 years, after which electricity is essentially free.
How do I read a kWh meter?
A standard electricity meter shows a cumulative reading in kWh. To calculate consumption between two dates, subtract the earlier reading from the later one. For example, if the meter reads 1,250 kWh in January and 1,420 kWh in February, you used 170 kWh that month.