Wondering why your electric bill is high? Here’s a complete breakdown of what every major appliance actually costs to run—per use, per month, and per year.
Quick Reference: Annual Appliance Electricity Costs
| Appliance | Wattage | Annual Cost* |
|---|---|---|
| Central AC (3-ton) | 3,000W | $300-$600 |
| Electric water heater | 4,500W | $400-$600 |
| Electric furnace/baseboard | 5,000-15,000W | $500-$1,500 |
| Refrigerator | 100-400W (avg) | $50-$150 |
| Clothes dryer | 5,000W | $100-$200 |
| Electric oven | 2,000-5,000W | $60-$150 |
| Dishwasher | 1,200-2,400W | $25-$50 |
| Washing machine | 500-1,000W | $15-$40 |
| TV (LED, 55") | 100-150W | $25-$50 |
| Desktop computer | 200-500W | $60-$175 |
| Laptop | 30-70W | $15-$30 |
| LED lighting (20 bulbs) | 180W total | $25-$50 |
| Ceiling fan | 30-75W | $10-$30 |
| Space heater | 1,500W | $100-$300 |
| Game console | 100-200W | $30-$70 |
| Cable box/streaming box | 15-30W | $15-$30 |
| Dehumidifier | 300-900W | $30-$90 |
| Pool pump | 1,500-3,000W | $200-$600 |
*At $0.12/kWh; ranges reflect usage variation
Major Appliances: Detailed Breakdown
Refrigerator
Runs 24/7 but cycles on/off.
| Refrigerator Type | Estimated Wattage | Daily kWh | Annual Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Older model (pre-2000) | 200-600W | 1.5-4 kWh | $66-$175 |
| Standard (post-2010) | 100-200W | 1-2 kWh | $44-$87 |
| Energy Star certified | 80-150W | 0.8-1.5 kWh | $35-$66 |
| Mini fridge | 50-100W | 0.5-1 kWh | $22-$44 |
| French door (large) | 100-250W | 1-2.5 kWh | $44-$109 |
*$0.12/kWh
Tip: A refrigerator from the 1990s can cost 2-3x more to run than a modern Energy Star model. Replacing an old unit can save $100-$200/year.
Clothes Dryer
| Dryer Type | Wattage | Cost Per Load | Monthly (6 loads/wk) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric dryer | 5,000-6,000W | $0.45-$0.54 | $11.88-$14.04 |
| Gas dryer (gas cost) | — | $0.25-$0.35 | $6.50-$9.10 |
| Heat pump dryer | 1,500-2,500W | $0.14-$0.23 | $3.60-$5.94 |
*Electric at $0.12/kWh; assumes 45 min per load
Gas vs electric dryer: Using a gas dryer instead of electric saves about $60-$120/year if you do laundry frequently.
Heat pump dryers cost more upfront ($800-$1,500 vs. $400-$700) but use ~60% less electricity.
Washing Machine
| Wash Setting | Wattage | Cost Per Load |
|---|---|---|
| Cold water | 400-500W | $0.04-$0.05 |
| Warm water | 700-900W | $0.07-$0.09 |
| Hot water | 1,000-2,000W | $0.10-$0.20 |
*Plus water heating cost if using hot water
Washing in cold water saves $50-$100/year vs. hot water and is equally clean for most laundry.
Dishwasher
| Cycle | kWh Per Run | Cost Per Run* | Monthly (1 run/day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | 1.0-1.5 kWh | $0.12-$0.18 | $3.60-$5.40 |
| Heavy/Pots | 1.5-2.5 kWh | $0.18-$0.30 | $5.40-$9.00 |
| Energy saver | 0.8-1.2 kWh | $0.10-$0.14 | $3.00-$4.20 |
| Air dry setting | 0.7-1.0 kWh | $0.08-$0.12 | $2.40-$3.60 |
*At $0.12/kWh
Electric Range/Oven
| Use | Wattage | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Oven (350°F, 1 hr) | 2,000-5,000W | $0.24-$0.60 |
| Stovetop burner (medium, 30 min) | 1,000-2,000W | $0.06-$0.12 |
| Microwave (5 min) | 1,000-1,500W | $0.01 |
| Toaster oven (30 min) | 1,200-1,800W | $0.07-$0.11 |
| Air fryer (30 min) | 1,400-1,800W | $0.08-$0.11 |
| Slow cooker (8 hrs) | 200-300W | $0.19-$0.29 |
Microwave vs oven for reheating: Microwave uses ~1/10 the energy of the oven. Use it whenever possible.
Water Heater
| Type | Annual Cost* |
|---|---|
| Electric standard (50 gal) | $400-$600 |
| Gas standard (50 gal) | $180-$300 |
| Heat pump water heater | $150-$250 |
| Tankless electric | $300-$500 |
| Tankless gas | $100-$200 |
*Family of 4, average usage
Biggest opportunity: The Department of Energy says heat pump water heaters can be two to three times as efficient as standard electric water heaters. The upfront cost is higher, so the payback takes several years.
Electronics and Entertainment
Television
| TV Type/Size | Wattage | Cost Per Day (5 hrs)* | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| LED 32" | 30-50W | $0.02-$0.03 | $7-$11 |
| LED 55" | 80-120W | $0.05-$0.07 | $18-$26 |
| LED 75" | 100-200W | $0.06-$0.12 | $22-$44 |
| OLED 55" | 80-120W | $0.05-$0.07 | $18-$26 |
| Plasma (older) | 250-500W | $0.15-$0.30 | $55-$109 |
Gaming Consoles
| Console | Gaming Draw | Standby Draw | Annual (2 hrs gaming/day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PlayStation 5 | 200W | 0.5W | $20 |
| Xbox Series X | 200W | 0.5W | $20 |
| Nintendo Switch | 18W | 1W | $2 |
| PC Gaming | 300-600W | 5-20W | $40-$80 |
Standby/Vampire Power
Plugged in but not in use:
| Device | Standby Watts | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Cable/satellite box | 15-30W | $16-$31 |
| DVR | 25-35W | $26-$37 |
| Desktop computer (sleep) | 5-15W | $5-$16 |
| Smart TV (off) | 0.5-3W | $0.50-$3 |
| Phone charger (idle) | 0.5-1W | $0.50-$1 |
| Microwave (clock) | 3-5W | $3-$5 |
| Coffee maker (clock) | 1-2W | $1-$2 |
| Typical home total | 50-100W | $52-$105 |
Smart power strips ($15-$30) eliminate standby waste automatically.
Heating and Cooling
| System | Cost Per Hour | Per Month (8 hrs/day) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central AC (3-ton) | $0.36 | $86 | $260-$600 |
| Window AC (10K BTU) | $0.14 | $34 | $100-$200 |
| Electric baseboard (1,500W) | $0.18 | $43 per room | — |
| Electric furnace | $0.60-$1.20 | $145-$290 | $600-$1,500 |
| Heat pump (heating mode) | $0.10-$0.20 | $24-$48 | $300-$700 |
| Gas furnace (gas cost) | $0.10-$0.20 | $24-$48 | $250-$600 |
Seasonal Appliances
| Appliance | Season | Wattage | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pool pump (8 hrs/day) | Summer | 1,500-3,000W | $43-$86 |
| Dehumidifier (8 hrs/day) | Summer | 300-900W | $9-$26 |
| Humidifier (8 hrs/day) | Winter | 25-300W | $1-$9 |
| Electric blanket | Winter | 50-200W | $4-$14 |
| Christmas lights (LED) | Winter | 15-20W | $1-$2 |
| Christmas lights (incandescent, 30 days) | Winter | 300-500W | $11-$18 |
Your Electric Bill: Typical Breakdown
| Category | % of Average US Electric Bill |
|---|---|
| Air conditioning | 12-17% |
| Space heating (electric) | 15-25% |
| Water heating | 14-18% |
| Washer/dryer | 5-13% |
| Lighting | 5-10% |
| Refrigerator/freezer | 4-14% |
| TV and entertainment | 4-8% |
| Cooking | 3-7% |
| Other/standby | 5-15% |
How to Reduce Your Electricity Bill
High-Impact Changes
| Action | Estimated Annual Savings |
|---|---|
| Raise AC thermostat 2-3°F | $20-$60 |
| Switch to LED lighting | $50-$200 |
| Wash clothes in cold water | $50-$100 |
| Use dryer less (air dry) | $50-$100 |
| Fix insulation/air leaks | $100-$300 |
| Upgrade old refrigerator | $50-$150 |
| Eliminate vampire power | $50-$100 |
| Use microwave instead of oven | $30-$60 |
Total Potential Annual Savings
| Effort Level | Changes | Possible Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Easy (free behavior changes) | Thermostat, cold water wash, unplug | $100-$200 |
| Medium (under $200 investment) | LED bulbs, smart thermostat, power strips | $150-$350 |
| Major (appliance upgrades) | New refrigerator, heat pump water heater | $200-$600 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What uses the most electricity in a house?
HVAC (heating and cooling) is #1 in most homes at 40-50% of the electric bill. Water heating is #2 at 14-18%. Washer/dryer is #3. These three typically account for over two-thirds of your electricity use.
How do I find out which appliance is using the most electricity?
A plug-in watt meter (like the Kill-A-Watt, ~$20-$30) measures any appliance’s actual power draw and can calculate daily/monthly cost. For your whole home, a smart meter or smart circuit breaker panel (like Emporia Vue) shows real-time usage by circuit.
Should I unplug appliances when not in use?
For high-standby devices (cable boxes, game consoles, older TVs): yes, or use a smart power strip. For fridges, clocks, and devices with important settings: no. Focus on the devices that draw the most power on standby, such as cable boxes and game consoles.
Are new appliances worth the electricity savings?
Depends on the age of your current unit. Replacing a 20-year-old refrigerator with an Energy Star model: $80-$150/year savings, pays back in 3-7 years. Replacing a 5-year-old fridge: unlikely to pay back. Focus on oldest, least-efficient appliances first.
Related Guides
- How Much Does AC Cost Per Hour?
- Cost of Running a Space Heater
- Is It Cheaper to Run the Dishwasher or Hand Wash?
Your electric bill is driven by a handful of big appliances—HVAC, water heater, and laundry—with everything else making up a smaller slice. The highest-ROI changes are also the simplest: adjust your thermostat, switch to LED bulbs, wash clothes in cold water, and eliminate standby power waste. These free and low-cost changes can cut $150-$300/year without any major purchases.
Part of the budgeting guide.
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