utility · 8W typical
Running a rowing machine costs about $0.02/month.
That's the typical rowing machine at 8W, run 0.5 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 0.5 hours at 16.5¢/kWh.
How you use it
Cost shifts with how long it's on.
The same rowing machine can cost very different amounts depending on usage patterns. Three common scenarios, at the US-average rate.
daily workout
$0.02
per month
30 min session (smart models only)
standby console
$0.95
per month
smart rower screens draw 3-8W
Where you live
$0.04 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¢ | $0.05 | $0.60 |
| California | 31.4¢ | $0.04 | $0.46 |
| Massachusetts | 30.8¢ | $0.04 | $0.45 |
| Connecticut | 28.7¢ | $0.03 | $0.42 |
| Rhode Island | 27.9¢ | $0.03 | $0.41 |
| New Hampshire | 24.6¢ | $0.03 | $0.36 |
| Alaska | 24.3¢ | $0.03 | $0.35 |
| New York | 22.3¢ | $0.03 | $0.33 |
| Maine | 22.1¢ | $0.03 | $0.32 |
| Vermont | 21.5¢ | $0.03 | $0.31 |
| Michigan | 19.3¢ | $0.02 | $0.28 |
| New Jersey | 19.1¢ | $0.02 | $0.28 |
| Maryland | 18.4¢ | $0.02 | $0.27 |
| Pennsylvania | 18.1¢ | $0.02 | $0.26 |
| District of Columbia | 17.8¢ | $0.02 | $0.26 |
| Wisconsin | 17.4¢ | $0.02 | $0.25 |
| Delaware | 17.2¢ | $0.02 | $0.25 |
| Illinois | 16.9¢ | $0.02 | $0.25 |
| Ohio | 16.6¢ | $0.02 | $0.24 |
| Nevada | 16.3¢ | $0.02 | $0.24 |
| Indiana | 15.8¢ | $0.02 | $0.23 |
| Virginia | 15.7¢ | $0.02 | $0.23 |
| Minnesota | 15.6¢ | $0.02 | $0.23 |
| Colorado | 15.4¢ | $0.02 | $0.22 |
| Alabama | 15.2¢ | $0.02 | $0.22 |
| West Virginia | 15.2¢ | $0.02 | $0.22 |
| Florida | 15.1¢ | $0.02 | $0.22 |
| New Mexico | 14.8¢ | $0.02 | $0.22 |
| Texas | 14.8¢ | $0.02 | $0.22 |
| Arizona | 14.7¢ | $0.02 | $0.21 |
| South Carolina | 14.7¢ | $0.02 | $0.21 |
| Kansas | 14.6¢ | $0.02 | $0.21 |
| Georgia | 14.2¢ | $0.02 | $0.21 |
| Iowa | 14.1¢ | $0.02 | $0.21 |
| North Carolina | 13.9¢ | $0.02 | $0.20 |
| Missouri | 13.6¢ | $0.02 | $0.20 |
| Oregon | 13.4¢ | $0.02 | $0.20 |
| Tennessee | 13.3¢ | $0.02 | $0.19 |
| Kentucky | 13.2¢ | $0.02 | $0.19 |
| Mississippi | 13.1¢ | $0.02 | $0.19 |
| Oklahoma | 13.1¢ | $0.02 | $0.19 |
| South Dakota | 12.7¢ | $0.02 | $0.19 |
| Montana | 12.4¢ | $0.01 | $0.18 |
| Nebraska | 12.2¢ | $0.01 | $0.18 |
| Arkansas | 12.1¢ | $0.01 | $0.18 |
| Washington | 12.1¢ | $0.01 | $0.18 |
| Louisiana | 11.9¢ | $0.01 | $0.17 |
| Wyoming | 11.6¢ | $0.01 | $0.17 |
| North Dakota | 11.5¢ | $0.01 | $0.17 |
| Utah | 11.4¢ | $0.01 | $0.17 |
| Idaho | 11.3¢ | $0.01 | $0.16 |
Efficient vs. inefficient
A $1.51/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
0W
$0.00 per month
$0.00 per year
Typical
8W
$0.02 per month
$0.24 per year
High draw
50W
$0.12 per month
$1.51 per year
When it hits hardest
winter peak
Winter/January peak usage.
Ways to cut the cost
- 1
Choose a no-plug rower (Concept2 standard) — zero electricity
Eliminates rowing machine from your bill entirely
- 2
Smart-plug touchscreen rowers to kill standby
Saves 25-70 kWh/year
- 3
Turn off monitor after workout — not 'standby'
Saves 5-10 kWh/year
Real-world wattages
Pulled from actual spec sheets.
| Brand | Model | Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Concept2 | Model D (no-plug) | 0W |
| Hydrow | Wave | 35W |
| NordicTrack | RW900 | 25W |
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