hvac · 200W typical
Running a boiler (circulator pump + controls) costs about $5.94/month.
That's the typical boiler (circulator pump + controls) at 200W, run 12 hours a day at the US-average rate of 16.5¢/kWh. Change any of those and the number moves — use the calculator below to see yours.
Estimated cost
A boiler (circulator pump + controls) draws full power only while the thermostat/compressor is running — about 6.0 effective hours at 200W across your 12-hour window.
How you use it
Cost shifts with how long it's on.
The same boiler (circulator pump + controls) can cost very different amounts depending on usage patterns. Three common scenarios, at the US-average rate.
cold day continuous
$5.94
per month
circulator runs during extended heating demand
typical winter
$2.48
per month
morning and evening call-for-heat cycles
shoulder season
$0.50
per month
minimal use during mild days
Where you live
$10.76 spread between the cheapest and priciest states.
Same appliance, same hours of use, different zip code — the monthly cost varies this much.
| State | Rate | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 41.2¢ | $14.83 | $180.46 |
| California | 31.4¢ | $11.30 | $137.53 |
| Massachusetts | 30.8¢ | $11.09 | $134.90 |
| Connecticut | 28.7¢ | $10.33 | $125.71 |
| Rhode Island | 27.9¢ | $10.04 | $122.20 |
| New Hampshire | 24.6¢ | $8.86 | $107.75 |
| Alaska | 24.3¢ | $8.75 | $106.43 |
| New York | 22.3¢ | $8.03 | $97.67 |
| Maine | 22.1¢ | $7.96 | $96.80 |
| Vermont | 21.5¢ | $7.74 | $94.17 |
| Michigan | 19.3¢ | $6.95 | $84.53 |
| New Jersey | 19.1¢ | $6.88 | $83.66 |
| Maryland | 18.4¢ | $6.62 | $80.59 |
| Pennsylvania | 18.1¢ | $6.52 | $79.28 |
| District of Columbia | 17.8¢ | $6.41 | $77.96 |
| Wisconsin | 17.4¢ | $6.26 | $76.21 |
| Delaware | 17.2¢ | $6.19 | $75.34 |
| Illinois | 16.9¢ | $6.08 | $74.02 |
| Ohio | 16.6¢ | $5.98 | $72.71 |
| Nevada | 16.3¢ | $5.87 | $71.39 |
| Indiana | 15.8¢ | $5.69 | $69.20 |
| Virginia | 15.7¢ | $5.65 | $68.77 |
| Minnesota | 15.6¢ | $5.62 | $68.33 |
| Colorado | 15.4¢ | $5.54 | $67.45 |
| Alabama | 15.2¢ | $5.47 | $66.58 |
| West Virginia | 15.2¢ | $5.47 | $66.58 |
| Florida | 15.1¢ | $5.44 | $66.14 |
| New Mexico | 14.8¢ | $5.33 | $64.82 |
| Texas | 14.8¢ | $5.33 | $64.82 |
| Arizona | 14.7¢ | $5.29 | $64.39 |
| South Carolina | 14.7¢ | $5.29 | $64.39 |
| Kansas | 14.6¢ | $5.26 | $63.95 |
| Georgia | 14.2¢ | $5.11 | $62.20 |
| Iowa | 14.1¢ | $5.08 | $61.76 |
| North Carolina | 13.9¢ | $5.00 | $60.88 |
| Missouri | 13.6¢ | $4.90 | $59.57 |
| Oregon | 13.4¢ | $4.82 | $58.69 |
| Tennessee | 13.3¢ | $4.79 | $58.25 |
| Kentucky | 13.2¢ | $4.75 | $57.82 |
| Mississippi | 13.1¢ | $4.72 | $57.38 |
| Oklahoma | 13.1¢ | $4.72 | $57.38 |
| South Dakota | 12.7¢ | $4.57 | $55.63 |
| Montana | 12.4¢ | $4.46 | $54.31 |
| Nebraska | 12.2¢ | $4.39 | $53.44 |
| Arkansas | 12.1¢ | $4.36 | $53.00 |
| Washington | 12.1¢ | $4.36 | $53.00 |
| Louisiana | 11.9¢ | $4.28 | $52.12 |
| Wyoming | 11.6¢ | $4.18 | $50.81 |
| North Dakota | 11.5¢ | $4.14 | $50.37 |
| Utah | 11.4¢ | $4.10 | $49.93 |
| Idaho | 11.3¢ | $4.07 | $49.49 |
Efficient vs. inefficient
A $162.61/year difference across the wattage range.
Swapping a high-draw model for an efficient one pays for itself. Here's what that looks like annually at typical usage.
Most efficient
50W
$1.49 per month
$18.07 per year
Typical
200W
$5.94 per month
$72.27 per year
High draw
500W
$14.85 per month
$180.68 per year
When it hits hardest
winter peak
Oct-Apr dominant; combi-boilers also provide summer DHW.
Ways to cut the cost
- 1
Replace fixed-speed circulator with ECM variable-speed pump
Cuts circulator kWh 70-80%
- 2
Insulate all exposed hot water pipes in unheated spaces
Saves 5-10% on boiler output
- 3
Install outdoor reset control to modulate boiler temperature by weather
Can cut fuel use 10-15%
Real-world wattages
Pulled from actual spec sheets.
| Brand | Model | Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Weil-McLain | Ultra Series 3 | 180W |
| Burnham | ES2 | 220W |
| Navien | NFB-200H Combi | 240W |
Picks that actually move the needle
Three products worth comparing if you're thinking about upgrading or supplementing what you have.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy, we may earn a small commission — it never changes the price you pay, and we only recommend picks we would stand behind.
See also
Related appliances
Sources: www.energystar.gov · www.energy.gov
Last updated: 2026-04-13