Electricity Cost Calculator
Work out what an appliance costs to run per day, week and year.
Result
$1.58 per day
- Energy used per day
- 4.8 kWh
- Per week
- $11.09
- Per year
- $578.16
How it's calculated
- Divide the appliance's power in watts by 1,000 to get kilowatts (kW).
- Multiply kilowatts by the hours used per day to get kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day.
- Multiply kWh by your rate in cents per kWh, then divide by 100 to get dollars per day.
- Multiply the daily cost by 7 for a week, or by 365 for a year.
Worked examples
A 1,200 W heater used 4 hours a day
1,200 ÷ 1,000 = 1.2 kW, and 1.2 × 4 = 4.8 kWh per day. Using an example rate of 30 cents per kWh (enter your own rate instead), 4.8 × 30 = 144 cents, or $1.44 per day. That is $10.08 a week ($1.44 × 7) and $525.60 a year ($1.44 × 365).
A 5 W standby light left on all day
5 ÷ 1,000 = 0.005 kW, and 0.005 × 24 = 0.12 kWh per day. At the same example rate of 30 cents, 0.12 × 30 = 3.6 cents per day, or $13.14 a year (3.6 × 365 = 1,314 cents).
Assumptions and notes
- Uses a flat usage rate. Daily supply charges and time-of-use tariffs are not included.
- Rates in the examples are illustrations only, not current tariffs. Check your own bill for the rate you pay.
- Results are estimates only and are not financial, tax or legal advice.
Information last checked: October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What electricity rate should I enter?
Use the usage (per kWh) rate on your latest bill, in cents. Rates vary by retailer, state and plan, so the figures on this page are examples only.
Does the result include the daily supply charge?
No. The supply charge is a fixed daily fee on your bill and is not part of what an appliance costs to run, so it is left out.
Why might my actual cost be different?
Appliances such as fridges, heaters and air conditioners cycle on and off, so they often draw less than their rated watts on average. Time-of-use tariffs can also change the rate through the day.