utility · 1500W typical
Running a central vacuum system costs about $0.74/month.
That's the typical central vacuum system at 1500W, run 0.1 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
Full-power draw for 0.1 hours at 16.5¢/kWh.
How you use it
Cost shifts with how long it's on.
The same central vacuum system can cost very different amounts depending on usage patterns. Three common scenarios, at the US-average rate.
weekly cleaning
$0.74
per month
45 min per week averaged
daily touch-up
$1.49
per month
multiple short sessions
Where you live
$1.35 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¢ | $1.85 | $22.56 |
| California | 31.4¢ | $1.41 | $17.19 |
| Massachusetts | 30.8¢ | $1.39 | $16.86 |
| Connecticut | 28.7¢ | $1.29 | $15.71 |
| Rhode Island | 27.9¢ | $1.26 | $15.28 |
| New Hampshire | 24.6¢ | $1.11 | $13.47 |
| Alaska | 24.3¢ | $1.09 | $13.30 |
| New York | 22.3¢ | $1.00 | $12.21 |
| Maine | 22.1¢ | $0.99 | $12.10 |
| Vermont | 21.5¢ | $0.97 | $11.77 |
| Michigan | 19.3¢ | $0.87 | $10.57 |
| New Jersey | 19.1¢ | $0.86 | $10.46 |
| Maryland | 18.4¢ | $0.83 | $10.07 |
| Pennsylvania | 18.1¢ | $0.81 | $9.91 |
| District of Columbia | 17.8¢ | $0.80 | $9.75 |
| Wisconsin | 17.4¢ | $0.78 | $9.53 |
| Delaware | 17.2¢ | $0.77 | $9.42 |
| Illinois | 16.9¢ | $0.76 | $9.25 |
| Ohio | 16.6¢ | $0.75 | $9.09 |
| Nevada | 16.3¢ | $0.73 | $8.92 |
| Indiana | 15.8¢ | $0.71 | $8.65 |
| Virginia | 15.7¢ | $0.71 | $8.60 |
| Minnesota | 15.6¢ | $0.70 | $8.54 |
| Colorado | 15.4¢ | $0.69 | $8.43 |
| Alabama | 15.2¢ | $0.68 | $8.32 |
| West Virginia | 15.2¢ | $0.68 | $8.32 |
| Florida | 15.1¢ | $0.68 | $8.27 |
| New Mexico | 14.8¢ | $0.67 | $8.10 |
| Texas | 14.8¢ | $0.67 | $8.10 |
| Arizona | 14.7¢ | $0.66 | $8.05 |
| South Carolina | 14.7¢ | $0.66 | $8.05 |
| Kansas | 14.6¢ | $0.66 | $7.99 |
| Georgia | 14.2¢ | $0.64 | $7.77 |
| Iowa | 14.1¢ | $0.63 | $7.72 |
| North Carolina | 13.9¢ | $0.63 | $7.61 |
| Missouri | 13.6¢ | $0.61 | $7.45 |
| Oregon | 13.4¢ | $0.60 | $7.34 |
| Tennessee | 13.3¢ | $0.60 | $7.28 |
| Kentucky | 13.2¢ | $0.59 | $7.23 |
| Mississippi | 13.1¢ | $0.59 | $7.17 |
| Oklahoma | 13.1¢ | $0.59 | $7.17 |
| South Dakota | 12.7¢ | $0.57 | $6.95 |
| Montana | 12.4¢ | $0.56 | $6.79 |
| Nebraska | 12.2¢ | $0.55 | $6.68 |
| Arkansas | 12.1¢ | $0.54 | $6.62 |
| Washington | 12.1¢ | $0.54 | $6.62 |
| Louisiana | 11.9¢ | $0.54 | $6.52 |
| Wyoming | 11.6¢ | $0.52 | $6.35 |
| North Dakota | 11.5¢ | $0.52 | $6.30 |
| Utah | 11.4¢ | $0.51 | $6.24 |
| Idaho | 11.3¢ | $0.51 | $6.19 |
Efficient vs. inefficient
A $6.02/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
1000W
$0.50 per month
$6.02 per year
Typical
1500W
$0.74 per month
$9.03 per year
High draw
2000W
$0.99 per month
$12.05 per year
When it hits hardest
year-round peak
Steady use.
Ways to cut the cost
- 1
Empty canister and change bags regularly
Saves 20-30% of motor watts per session
- 2
Replace sealed filter every 12 months
Maintains spec airflow and efficiency
- 3
Use regular vacuums for quick touch-ups — central unit is overkill for small jobs
Avoids 1500W startup for 30-sec jobs
Real-world wattages
Pulled from actual spec sheets.
| Brand | Model | Watts |
|---|---|---|
| NuTone | PurePower PP600 | 1500W |
| Beam | Alliance Serenity | 1450W |
| Vacuflo | TrueBlue TB460 | 1500W |
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.energy.gov · www.energystar.gov
Last updated: 2026-04-13