Electricity costs can add up quickly, especially if you’re not keeping track of how much energy your appliances are using. Understanding how to calculate electricity costs can help you budget more effectively and find ways to save. The process involves knowing your electricity tariff, the power rating of your appliances, and the duration of their use. Here is how to work out electricity cost.
- Understand Your Electricity Tariff
Electricity providers charge per unit of electricity consumed, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). This rate can be found on your electricity bill and may vary depending on your location and provider. In some areas, there are time-of-use tariffs, meaning electricity costs more during peak hours.
Formula for Electricity Cost
The basic formula to calculate electricity cost is:
Cost = Power (kW) × Time (hours) × Rate per kWh
- Find the Power Rating of Your Appliances
Every electrical appliance has a power rating, usually in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW), listed on the label or manual.
- 1,000W = 1kW, so if an appliance uses 500W, that’s 0.5kW.
- Example: A 1.5kW heater used for 4 hours a day at $0.20 per kWh would cost:
1.5kW × 4h × $0.20 = $1.20 per day
- Calculate Electricity Usage for a Month
To work out monthly costs, multiply the daily cost by the number of days used.
- If the heater in the example is used every day, the monthly cost is:
$1.20 × 30 = $36.00 per month
- Work Out Costs for Multiple Appliances
To get a full picture of your electricity cost, repeat the calculation for all major appliances in your home, including:
- Fridges and freezers (run continuously but use low power)
- Water heaters (high power consumption)
- Lights and electronics (lower usage but still add up)
- Tips to Reduce Electricity Costs
- Use energy-efficient appliances – Look for energy ratings when buying new devices.
- Switch off unused appliances – Standby mode still uses power.
- Use LED bulbs – They consume less electricity than traditional bulbs.
- Time-of-use savings – Run washing machines or dishwashers during off-peak hours if you have a time-based tariff.
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