How Much Does Each Appliance Cost to Run?
Calculate your electricity cost by appliance — AC, washer, TV, computer, lights. See which devices are draining your wallet.
What Uses the Most Electricity?
For the average US home: HVAC (heating/cooling): 46% of the electric bill, water heating: 14%, appliances: 13%, lighting: 9%, electronics: 7%, other: 11%. Your AC is almost certainly your biggest electricity expense — a central AC unit running 8 hours/day costs $70-120/month at average rates.
How to Lower Your Bill
The biggest impact: set your thermostat 2-3°F higher in summer (saves 5-8% on cooling), switch to LED bulbs (use 75% less energy than incandescent), run the dishwasher and laundry during off-peak hours (if your utility offers time-of-use rates), and unplug phantom loads (chargers, standby devices that consume power 24/7).
Understanding Your Rate
The national average electricity rate in 2026 is approximately 16¢/kWh, but varies dramatically: Hawaii (35-40¢), California (25-30¢), Northeast (20-25¢), Midwest/South (10-14¢). Check your utility bill for your exact rate — it may include tiered pricing where usage above a threshold costs more per kWh.
The Department of Energy estimates that phantom loads (standby power) account for 5-10% of residential electricity use — $100-200/year for the average household. A smart power strip ($25-35) that cuts power to idle devices pays for itself in 2-4 months.
