Find out exactly what any appliance costs to run — hourly, daily, monthly, and annually.
Check the label on the back or bottom of the appliance, or look it up in the manual. It's usually listed in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW). For computers, laptops, and monitors, it varies by usage — check the power adapter or use a plug-in energy monitor for accuracy.
UK: approximately 24–29p/kWh (2024). US: approximately 13–16¢/kWh national average, but varies widely by state (Hawaii ~40¢, Louisiana ~10¢). Australia: approximately 25–35¢/kWh. Check your latest bill for your exact rate.
The biggest consumers are typically: electric heating (1,500–3,000W), tumble dryers (2,000–4,000W), ovens (2,000–5,000W), dishwashers (1,200–2,400W), washing machines (500–2,500W), and electric kettles (2,000–3,000W).
Switch to LED bulbs (use 75% less energy), upgrade to A-rated appliances, use a smart thermostat, run dishwashers/washing machines on eco/off-peak cycles, unplug devices on standby, and consider solar panels for long-term savings.
A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the unit of energy on your electricity bill. It equals 1,000 watts used for one hour. For example, a 100W light bulb running for 10 hours uses 1 kWh.