Utilities & Bills

Electricity Cost

Calculate the monthly cost of running any electrical device.

Understanding the cost to run specific appliances helps identify high-consumption devices and prioritize efficiency upgrades. This calculator converts wattage to real dollar cost based on your electricity rate.

Enter your numbers

Power (Watts)

Found on the appliance label or power adapter.

Hours Used per Day

Electricity Rate (¢/kWh)

Check your electricity bill. Ontario TOU average: ~14¢/kWh.

Results update as you change the inputs. Calculations run in your browser.

Monthly Cost

$22.50

daily Cost: $0.7500
annual Cost: $273.75
kwh Per Month: 180.0 kWh/month

See the formula

Formula and method

Cost = (Watts / 1000) × Hours/Day × Rate($/kWh) × 30 days

Converts watts to kilowatt-hours (kWh) which is the billing unit. Monthly estimate uses 30-day average.

Worked examples

Electric space heater

Power (Watts):: 1500
Hours Used per Day:: 6
Electricity Rate (¢/kWh):: 13

Monthly Cost: $35.10

Gaming PC

Power (Watts):: 300
Hours Used per Day:: 4
Electricity Rate (¢/kWh):: 14

Monthly Cost: $5.04

Assumptions and limits

30-day month
Constant usage at rated wattage
Rate includes delivery charges

This tool provides an educational estimate. Rules, rates and personal circumstances can change the answer. Review the assumptions before relying on a result. Report a correction.

Common mistakes to avoid

Confusing watts with watt-hours — a 1500W heater running for 1 hour uses 1.5 kWh.
Using the full rated wattage for variable-load devices — computers, refrigerators, and TVs use much less than peak rated wattage on average.
Using cents when the rate is already in dollars per kWh — double-check your bill units.

Frequently asked questions

What are the biggest energy users at home?

Electric heat (baseboard/furnace): 1,500-5,000W. Air conditioning: 1,000-3,000W. Electric dryer: 5,000-6,000W. Electric water heater: 4,000-5,500W. Refrigerator: 100-400W (but runs 24/7).

What is the average Canadian electricity rate?

Varies significantly: Quebec has the lowest rates (~7¢/kWh, mostly hydroelectric). Alberta: ~13¢/kWh. Ontario: ~12-17¢/kWh (time-of-use). BC: ~10¢/kWh. Rates include delivery, transmission, and regulatory charges.