Electricity Use Calculator

Estimated Consumption Results

Total Energy Consumption: 0 kWh

Total Estimated Cost: $0.00

function calculateElectricityUsage() { var watts = parseFloat(document.getElementById("applianceWatts").value); var hours = parseFloat(document.getElementById("hoursPerDay").value); var rate = parseFloat(document.getElementById("ratePerKwh").value); var multiplier = parseFloat(document.getElementById("timePeriod").value); var resultBox = document.getElementById("electricity-result-box"); if (isNaN(watts) || isNaN(hours) || isNaN(rate) || watts <= 0 || hours <= 0 || rate 24) { alert("Hours used per day cannot exceed 24."); return; } // Logic: (Watts * Hours / 1000) = kWh per day var dailyKwh = (watts * hours) / 1000; var totalKwh = dailyKwh * multiplier; var totalCost = totalKwh * rate; document.getElementById("totalKwhResult").innerText = totalKwh.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}); document.getElementById("totalCostResult").innerText = "$" + totalCost.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}); resultBox.style.display = "block"; }

How to Use the Electricity Use Calculator

Understanding how much power your appliances consume is the first step toward reducing your monthly utility bill. This electricity use calculator allows you to estimate the energy consumption (kWh) and the associated financial cost of any electronic device in your home or office.

Step-by-Step Calculation Guide

1. Find the Wattage: Check the sticker or label on your appliance. It is usually listed as "Watts" or "W". Common items like hair dryers might use 1,500W, while a LED bulb might only use 9W.
2. Estimate Daily Hours: Determine how many hours per day the device is actively running.
3. Check Your Utility Rate: Look at your last electricity bill to find the "Price per kWh". The average in the US is roughly $0.14 – $0.20, though it varies significantly by region.
4. Select the Period: Choose whether you want to see the impact on your daily, monthly, or yearly budget.

The Physics Behind the Math

Electricity consumption is measured in Kilowatt-hours (kWh). One kilowatt-hour represents 1,000 watts used for one hour. The formula used by this calculator is:

(Watts × Hours Per Day) / 1000 = Daily kWh Consumption

Example Calculation

If you run a 1,200 Watt space heater for 8 hours a day, and your electricity rate is $0.15 per kWh:

• Daily Consumption: (1,200 * 8) / 1,000 = 9.6 kWh
• Daily Cost: 9.6 kWh * $0.15 = $1.44
• Monthly Cost: $1.44 * 30 days = $43.20

Tips to Reduce Electricity Consumption

• Unplug "Phantom" Loads: Electronics like TVs and chargers draw power even when turned off. Use a smart power strip to cut power completely.
• Switch to LED: LED bulbs use 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last 25 times longer.
• Optimize Large Appliances: Run your dishwasher and laundry machine only with full loads to maximize the energy used per cycle.
• Temperature Control: Lowering your thermostat by just 1-2 degrees in winter or raising it in summer can result in significant savings on your total bill.