utility · 4500W typical
Running a electric water heater (tank) costs about $13.37/month.
That's the typical electric water heater (tank) at 4500W, run 4 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 electric water heater (tank) draws full power only while the thermostat/compressor is running — about 0.6 effective hours at 4500W across your 4-hour window.
How you use it
Cost shifts with how long it's on.
The same electric water heater (tank) can cost very different amounts depending on usage patterns. Three common scenarios, at the US-average rate.
family household
$13.37
per month
element cycles add up to ~4 hours of runtime/day
couple
$6.68
per month
2 showers + dishes/laundry
vacation mode
$1.67
per month
maintaining warm temp
Where you live
$24.22 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¢ | $33.37 | $406.03 |
| California | 31.4¢ | $25.43 | $309.45 |
| Massachusetts | 30.8¢ | $24.95 | $303.53 |
| Connecticut | 28.7¢ | $23.25 | $282.84 |
| Rhode Island | 27.9¢ | $22.60 | $274.95 |
| New Hampshire | 24.6¢ | $19.93 | $242.43 |
| Alaska | 24.3¢ | $19.68 | $239.48 |
| New York | 22.3¢ | $18.06 | $219.77 |
| Maine | 22.1¢ | $17.90 | $217.80 |
| Vermont | 21.5¢ | $17.42 | $211.88 |
| Michigan | 19.3¢ | $15.63 | $190.20 |
| New Jersey | 19.1¢ | $15.47 | $188.23 |
| Maryland | 18.4¢ | $14.90 | $181.33 |
| Pennsylvania | 18.1¢ | $14.66 | $178.38 |
| District of Columbia | 17.8¢ | $14.42 | $175.42 |
| Wisconsin | 17.4¢ | $14.09 | $171.48 |
| Delaware | 17.2¢ | $13.93 | $169.51 |
| Illinois | 16.9¢ | $13.69 | $166.55 |
| Ohio | 16.6¢ | $13.45 | $163.59 |
| Nevada | 16.3¢ | $13.20 | $160.64 |
| Indiana | 15.8¢ | $12.80 | $155.71 |
| Virginia | 15.7¢ | $12.72 | $154.72 |
| Minnesota | 15.6¢ | $12.64 | $153.74 |
| Colorado | 15.4¢ | $12.47 | $151.77 |
| Alabama | 15.2¢ | $12.31 | $149.80 |
| West Virginia | 15.2¢ | $12.31 | $149.80 |
| Florida | 15.1¢ | $12.23 | $148.81 |
| New Mexico | 14.8¢ | $11.99 | $145.85 |
| Texas | 14.8¢ | $11.99 | $145.85 |
| Arizona | 14.7¢ | $11.91 | $144.87 |
| South Carolina | 14.7¢ | $11.91 | $144.87 |
| Kansas | 14.6¢ | $11.83 | $143.88 |
| Georgia | 14.2¢ | $11.50 | $139.94 |
| Iowa | 14.1¢ | $11.42 | $138.96 |
| North Carolina | 13.9¢ | $11.26 | $136.98 |
| Missouri | 13.6¢ | $11.02 | $134.03 |
| Oregon | 13.4¢ | $10.85 | $132.06 |
| Tennessee | 13.3¢ | $10.77 | $131.07 |
| Kentucky | 13.2¢ | $10.69 | $130.09 |
| Mississippi | 13.1¢ | $10.61 | $129.10 |
| Oklahoma | 13.1¢ | $10.61 | $129.10 |
| South Dakota | 12.7¢ | $10.29 | $125.16 |
| Montana | 12.4¢ | $10.04 | $122.20 |
| Nebraska | 12.2¢ | $9.88 | $120.23 |
| Arkansas | 12.1¢ | $9.80 | $119.25 |
| Washington | 12.1¢ | $9.80 | $119.25 |
| Louisiana | 11.9¢ | $9.64 | $117.27 |
| Wyoming | 11.6¢ | $9.40 | $114.32 |
| North Dakota | 11.5¢ | $9.32 | $113.33 |
| Utah | 11.4¢ | $9.23 | $112.35 |
| Idaho | 11.3¢ | $9.15 | $111.36 |
Efficient vs. inefficient
A $72.27/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
3500W
$10.40 per month
$126.47 per year
Typical
4500W
$13.37 per month
$162.61 per year
High draw
5500W
$16.34 per month
$198.74 per year
When it hits hardest
winter peak
Colder incoming water raises winter bills 15-25%.
Ways to cut the cost
- 1
Lower temperature to 120°F from 140°F
Saves 4-22% annually
- 2
Install an insulation blanket on older tanks
Saves 7-16% on standby losses
- 3
Replace with heat pump water heater at end of life
Heat pump uses 1/3 the energy
Real-world wattages
Pulled from actual spec sheets.
| Brand | Model | Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Rheem | Performance Plus 50 gal | 4500W |
| A.O. Smith | Signature 50 gal | 4500W |
| Bradford White | RE350T6 50 gal | 4500W |
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