Blog
What's moving your bill right now.
Short, timely notes on electricity prices, seasonal patterns, and appliance trends — not the evergreen stuff. For foundational explainers, check the guides.
How much does an electric oven cost to run? (2026)
An electric oven costs about 20 to 29 cents per hour depending on temperature, roughly $41 a year for a regular baker. Preheating is cheaper than you'd guess, the self-clean cycle isn't, and in July every oven-hour makes the AC work harder.
How much does a rice cooker cost to run? (2026)
A rice cooker costs about 2 to 3 cents to cook a pot and under $1 a month with daily use, roughly $9 a year. One of the cheapest appliances in the kitchen, unless you leave the keep-warm setting running all afternoon.
Dehumidifier vs air conditioner cost: which is cheaper to run? (2026)
A dehumidifier costs about 5 cents an hour to run, a window AC about 10, central air 44. But a dehumidifier only removes moisture, it does not cool the air. The cheaper appliance solves a humidity problem, not a heat one.
How much does an air fryer cost to run? (2026 data)
An air fryer costs about 7 cents a 20-minute session and roughly $3 a month with daily use. The element cycles to hold temperature, so it averages about 1,100 watts, and it uses around a third of the energy a full oven does for the same meal.
How much does a mini split cost to run? (2026 data)
A typical ductless mini-split costs about $29 a month as primary cooling or heating. The inverter compressor draws about half its nameplate watts, which makes it 26% cheaper than a window AC and 75% cheaper than central air per zone.
How much does a whole house fan cost to run? (2026 data)
A 450-watt whole-house fan costs about $15 a month in summer, against $57 for the central AC it replaces during those hours. It only saves money where nights cool off; in the humid Southeast it can cost more than it saves.
How much does a pool heater cost to run? (2026 data)
An electric heat pump pool heater costs about $57 a month in summer. The electric resistance heater it replaced costs roughly five times that for the same water temperature. A solar cover is the biggest lever on either one.
How much does a grow light cost to run? (2026 data)
A 100-watt LED grow light on a 16-hour schedule costs $8.66 a month. Scale to four 200-watt panels and the electricity hits $69 a month. Extreme daily runtime makes grow lights one of the few appliances that genuinely move the bill.
Garage door opener electricity cost: standby power is the real bill (2026 data)
A garage door opener's motor costs 46 cents a year. The 5W standby transformer costs $7.91. Nearly all of the electricity bill comes from the opener sitting idle, not from lifting the door.
How much does a sump pump cost to run? (2026 data)
A sump pump costs under $1 a month in dry weather and $9 to $17 during rainy months. The weather drives the bill, not the pump size.
How much does a pond pump cost to run? (2026 data)
A pond pump running 24/7 at 100 watts costs about $13 a month, more than a refrigerator, because it never cycles off. Pump size, speed, and season set the rest.
How much does an induction cooktop cost to run? (2026 data)
A typical hour a day of induction cooking costs $4.87 a month at the US average rate. At 85% efficient, induction uses about 39% less energy than an electric coil for the same meals.
How much does it cost to run a tower fan? (2026 data)
A 50-watt tower fan costs $2.17 a month at the US average rate. Speed is the 4x lever: low at 25 watts costs $1.08, high at 100 watts costs $4.33. Half the draw of a box fan for the same job.
How much does a garbage disposal cost to run? (2026 data)
A 3/4-HP garbage disposal costs about 72 cents a year at the US average rate, and $1.60 even in Hawaii. The cold water it runs costs more than the electricity.
How much does it cost to run a toaster? (2026 data)
An 850W toaster costs under a penny per use and $5.60 a year at the US average rate. A four-slice at 1,800W costs $12. Runtime, not wattage, is why a toaster costs less than a wifi router.
How much does it cost to run an air purifier? (2026 data)
A 40W HEPA purifier running 24/7 costs $63 a year at the US average rate. Fan speed swings that from $32 to $142, and the cheapest unit to buy can be the priciest to run.
How much electricity does a smart bulb use? (2026 data)
A 9W smart bulb costs $3.03 a year including 66 cents in WiFi standby. Twenty bulbs add $13 a year in standby to the household bill. The automation payback nearly covers the cost.
How much does an iron cost to run? (2026 energy data)
A 1,200W clothes iron used 30 minutes a week costs $3.38 a year at the US average rate. Daily dress-shirt ironing tops out at $7.12. The wattage label is loud; the bill isn't.
How much electricity does a gaming PC use? (2026 cost data)
A mid-range gaming PC costs $7.58 a month to run at 4 hours a day. Left idling instead of sleeping, the full setup costs $22 a month. The idle hours cost 72% more than the gaming hours.
Fan vs air conditioner cost: which is cheaper to run? (2026 data)
A box fan costs 2 cents an hour. A central AC costs 63 cents. Across a 90-day summer the gap is $13 vs $280. Below 90 degrees fans win; above 90 you need AC. The fan-plus-AC combo pays back in one summer.
How much electricity does an aquarium use? (2026 cost breakdown)
A heated 55-gallon aquarium costs about $17 a month to run. The heater alone accounts for 78% of the draw and swings 2x between winter and summer. A 10-gallon nano costs $3 a month. A 125-gallon reef crosses $35.
How much does a box fan cost to run? (2026 energy data)
A box fan costs about 2 cents an hour and $13 across a 90-day summer at 8 hours a day. Three box fans cost less than one window AC for the same season. State spreads and the fan-plus-AC combo math included.
How much does an electric kettle cost to run? (2026 energy data)
An electric kettle costs about 2 cents per boil and $8.23 a year at one boil per day. At 1,500W it draws less annual energy than a wifi router. The US voltage cap is why your kettle takes five minutes, not two.
Oil-filled radiator electricity cost: the oil myth debunked
An oil-filled radiator costs about $39 a month at 8 hours a day on the 1,500W setting. It uses the same electricity as any ceramic heater of the same wattage. The oil is a thermal battery, not a fuel.
How much does a humidifier cost to run? (warm mist vs cool mist)
A warm mist humidifier costs $13 a month. Cool mist costs $1.30. The 10x gap is the widest between product types in any appliance category, and it comes down to one component: the heating element.
Gas vs electric stove: which costs less to run? (2026 data)
A gas burner costs $0.07 per 30-minute cook, electric coil costs $0.23, induction lands at $0.16. Annual gap: $49 gas vs $119 induction vs $165 electric coil at US-average rates.
How much does an Instant Pot cost to run? (2026 energy data)
A 1,000-watt Instant Pot costs about a nickel per 45-minute pressure-cook session. Five meals a week is $14 a year. The CNET 90%-less-than-an-oven claim is true, but only for long cooks.
How much does an attic fan cost to run? (2026 energy data)
A typical 300-watt attic fan costs $5.85 a month during summer at the 2026 US average rate. Whether it saves money depends on climate: dry heat yields a net AC offset, humid air can make it worse.
How much does an ice maker cost to run? (2026 energy data)
A typical 150-watt countertop ice maker run three hours a day costs $11.86 a year at the 2026 US average rate. Heavy summer use lifts it to $31.62. Duty cycle is the entire story.
How much does an electric toothbrush cost to charge? ($0.50/year)
An electric toothbrush costs about 50 cents a year to charge at the 2026 US average rate. Left plugged in 24/7, the ceiling is $2.37. Less than one AA battery.
How much does a deep fryer cost to run? (2026 energy data)
A typical 1,700-watt deep fryer used once a week costs $4.70 a year at the 2026 US average rate. Daily frying lands at $33. Per session, about 9 cents.
How much does a heat pump cost to run? (2026 data by state)
A typical 3-ton air-source heat pump costs $89 a month heating in winter and $60 cooling in summer at the U.S. average rate. That puts most homes in the $50 to $125 per month range.
How much does a hair dryer cost to run? (2026 energy data)
A standard 1,800-watt hair dryer used 10 minutes a day costs $19.77 a year at the U.S. average rate. That is less than a 15W UPS that never turns off. Duty cycle is the entire story.
How much does a Nintendo Switch cost to run? (2026 energy data)
A Nintendo Switch OLED played 3 hours a day costs $3.56 a year at the U.S. average rate. That is one-eleventh the running cost of a PS5 at the same hours.
How much does a UPS cost to run? (2026 energy data)
A typical 1500VA home UPS costs $23.72 a year at the U.S. average rate. The 15 watts of idle load runs 24/7. Battery charging is rounding error.
How much do LED strip lights cost to run? (2026 energy data)
A standard 5-meter LED strip costs $5.93 a year at the U.S. average rate. RGB runs $9.49. A 20-meter installation draws the same wattage as one old incandescent bulb.
How much does a coffee maker cost to run? (2026 energy data)
A daily drip pot with one hour of warming costs $14.81 a year at the U.S. average. The brew itself is $10. The warming plate is the rest. Keurig wins for one cup; drip wins for two or more.
Do smart thermostats actually save money? Real numbers for 2026
EPA-certified smart thermostats deliver 8% heating and 10% cooling run-time reductions. That works out to $40 to $260 a year depending on house, climate, and current schedule.
How much does a microwave cost to run? (2026 energy data)
A 90-second reheat costs less than a cent and an average household spends $4 to $8 a year. For light users the always-on clock costs more than the cooking.
How much does a blender cost to run? (2026 energy data)
A typical 600W blender used for a daily smoothie costs $1.32 a year at the 2026 US average. Even a 1,380W Vitamix lands at $3.03. Run time, not wattage, sets the number.
How much does a WiFi router cost to run? (2026 energy data)
A typical Wi-Fi router costs about $15.81 a year, or $1.32 a month, at the 2026 US average rate. It only draws 10 watts, but it never powers off, and the always-on runtime is what makes the cost worth knowing.
How much does a curling iron cost to run? (2026 energy data)
A standard 75-watt curling iron used 20 minutes a day costs $1.65 a year at the 2026 US average rate. Even a professional 150W model runs about $3.29. Rounding-error territory.
How much does a TV cost to run? LED vs OLED vs QLED (2026)
A 55-inch LED TV costs about $21 a year at 4 hours a day; a 65-inch OLED runs $45. Panel type and screen size set the number more than streaming versus cable.
How much does a mini fridge cost to run? (2026 energy data)
A typical mini fridge costs about $3.92 a month and $47.04 a year at the 2026 U.S. average. Compact 1.6 cu ft dorm models cost $33. Age and temperature setting move the number more than brand.
How much does a window AC cost to run? (2026 electricity data)
An 8,000 BTU window AC costs about $0.14 an hour and roughly $32 a month at 8 hours a day at the 2026 U.S. average. It runs about 25% cheaper than a portable AC for the same room.
How much does a desktop computer cost to run? (2026 electricity data)
A basic office PC costs $47.44 a year. A creative workstation runs $131.77. A gaming desktop used 4 hours a day costs $105.41 at the 2026 U.S. average. Monitors and always-on servers move the bill more than the case wattage suggests.
How much does a freezer cost to run? (2026 electricity data)
A 15 cu ft chest freezer costs $39.71 a year at the 2026 U.S. average. An upright of similar size costs $71.95. Age, size, and garage placement move the number more than brand.
How much does an AV receiver cost to run? (2026 electricity data)
A mid-range AV receiver with network standby enabled costs $79 a year at the 2026 U.S. average. Turn network standby off and it drops to $40. The feature that wakes on voice commands doubles the bill.
How much does standby power cost? Vampire power numbers for 2026
Standby power costs the typical U.S. household $100 to $158 a year. Every continuous watt of phantom load costs $1.58 a year at the national average. The cable DVR is usually the worst single offender.
How much does an Xbox cost to run? (2026 electricity data)
An Xbox Series X used 3 hours a day costs $39.53 a year at the 2026 U.S. average. The hidden cost is Instant On mode: 12 watts continuously adds $18.97 a year in standby alone.
How much does a ceiling fan cost to run? (2026 electricity data)
A typical 60W ceiling fan running 12 hours a day costs $3.95 a month at the 2026 U.S. average. The fan isn't where you save. The savings come from letting you turn the AC down.
How much does a food processor cost to run? (2026 electricity data)
A standard 550W food processor used once a week costs $0.43 a year in electricity. Even a Vitamix used daily lands at $5.93. The wattage spec is high but the duty cycle is tiny.
How much does a pressure washer cost to run? (2026 electricity data)
A medium 1,800W electric pressure washer costs $0.16 per session and $1.95 a year. Despite high wattage, sessions are so short that the annual cost is less than a single light bulb.
How much does a laser printer cost to run? (2026 electricity data)
A typical home laser printer costs $4 to $9 a year in electricity. The 440W sticker is misleading. The printer is asleep 99% of the time, and the sleep wattage sets the bill.
How much does a halogen bulb cost to run? (2026 electricity data)
A 43W halogen costs $22.66 a year at 8 hours a day. The 9W LED producing the same 800 lumens costs $4.74. Halogen torchieres at 300W hit $158 a year, more than most refrigerators.
How much does a slow cooker cost to run? (2026 electricity data)
A typical 200W slow cooker run 8 hours costs $0.29 a session at the 2026 U.S. average. An electric oven for the same time costs $2.17 to $3.61. The 90% reduction is real.
How much does a portable AC cost to run? (2026 electricity data)
A typical 10,000 BTU portable AC costs $52 a month at the 2026 U.S. average rate. That makes it the most expensive way to cool a single room. State rates swing it from $36 to $115.
How much does a PS5 cost to run? (2026 electricity data)
A typical PS5 used 3 hours a day costs $3.25 a month or $39.53 a year at the 2026 U.S. average. Heavy gamers spend $79. Less than half a refrigerator, all year.
How much does a clothes steamer cost to run? (2026)
A typical 1,200W handheld steamer used twice a week costs about $0.04 a session and $4.51 a year at the 2026 U.S. average rate. Steamers draw a lot of watts, but only for minutes at a time.
How much does a security camera cost to run? (2026)
A 5W security camera running 24/7 costs $0.65 a month at the 2026 U.S. average. A four-camera PoE system with NVR runs $6.11. Cable-DVR-box territory, not refrigerator territory.
How much does it cost to run a laptop all day? (2026)
A typical 50W laptop running 8 hours a day costs $2.17 a month at the 2026 U.S. average. A 200W gaming laptop costs $8.66. Both are cheaper than a refrigerator.
How much does it cost to leave a lamp on all day? (2026)
A 9W LED lamp left on 8 hours a day costs $1.18 a month. The same lamp with a 60W incandescent costs $7.90. The lamp itself is incidental. The bulb is what matters.
Appliance wattage chart: how much power does every appliance use?
Wattage and annual cost ranges for 30+ common household appliances. Refrigerator to electric furnace. Each row links to a state-rate-aware calculator.
How to lower your summer electric bill in 2026
Summer bills run $170 to $400 a month depending on your state and AC usage. Ten specific changes, with dollar savings for each, that cut cooling costs without losing comfort.
How much does an electric furnace cost to run? (2026 data)
A 20kW electric furnace costs $130 to $350 a month depending on run time and state rate. It is the most expensive appliance in any home, by a wide margin.
Gas vs. electric dryer: the real cost difference in your state
A gas dryer costs $0.23 a load against $0.42 for electric, or $55 to $60 less per year. Installation can erase the savings. Heat pump dryers change the math again.
How much does a dehumidifier cost to run?
A 500-watt dehumidifier costs $13 to $43 a month depending on your state rate. The duty cycle cuts the real number 40% below what the nameplate math suggests.
How much does an electric lawn mower cost to run?
An electric lawn mower costs $5 to $15 a year in electricity. A gas mower runs $65 to $115 in fuel and oil. The operating-cost gap is 85 to 92%.
How much does a dishwasher cost to run?
A dishwasher uses $35 to $55 a year in electricity on its own, but hot water pushes the real total to $100 to $200. And it's still cheaper than washing by hand.
How much does a water heater cost to run?
A standard electric water heater costs $400 to $600 a year. That makes it the most expensive appliance in many homes. The full cost breakdown by state, plus how to cut it.
How much does a washing machine cost to run? (It's not what you think)
The washer itself costs $15 to $25 a year in electricity. But if you wash in hot water, the water heater adds $50 to $150. Cold water cuts the total 75 to 85%.
Heat pump vs. electric water heater: the real electricity cost difference
A conventional electric tank costs $400 to $600 a year. A heat pump water heater costs $100 to $200 for the same hot water. The $300+ annual savings pay for the upgrade in 2 to 5 years.
How much does a pool pump cost to run? The real electricity numbers
A single-speed pool pump costs $50 to $150 per month. A variable-speed pump cuts that to $15 to $45. The upgrade pays for itself in under two years.
How much does air conditioning cost per month? Summer 2026 guide
A central AC runs $130 to $220 a month in a moderate climate, $250 to $380 in a hot one. Window units average $20 to $80. Mini-splits run $30 to $120. 2026 rate breakdown.
The most expensive appliances to run in 2026 (ranked by real cost)
Central AC tops the list at $700 to $1,200 a year. We ranked 10 home appliances by actual annual electricity cost at the 2026 national average of 18.05 cents per kWh.
How much does it cost to run a clothes dryer?
A standard electric dryer costs $0.25 to $0.85 per load and $105 to $115 a year. Gas dryers run about half that. Heat pump models save $75 to $135 annually.
Electricity rates by state in 2026: what you're really paying
The national average hit 18.05¢/kWh, up 21% in five years. State rates range from 12.44¢ in Louisiana to 39.89¢ in Hawaii. Where your state falls changes everything.
How much electricity does a refrigerator use? Cost breakdown by type
A modern ENERGY STAR fridge runs $60 to $90 a year. An older pre-2001 model can cost $150 to $220. The full breakdown by size, type, and your state's rate.
How much does a hot tub cost to run? The real electricity numbers
A hot tub adds $50 to $150 per month depending on insulation, climate, and your state rate. We broke down the seasonal math and where the watts actually go.
Space heater season is starting — here's what it'll cost
Cold snaps drive a surge in portable heater use every November. We ran the numbers on what that actually adds to a typical monthly bill.