How to calculate appliance electricity costs
Understanding the true running cost of everyday appliances is the fastest way to lower household power bills. Appliances with heating elements or large compressors—such as clothes dryers, bar heaters, pool pumps and air conditioners—consume the lion's share of residential power.
To calculate running cost, check the appliance compliance label for its wattage rating. Divide the wattage by 1,000 to convert to kilowatts (kW), multiply by the hours used per day, and then multiply by your electricity tariff (cents per kilowatt-hour, typically 28c to 38c in Australia).
Standby 'vampire' power from older televisions, gaming consoles, and set-top boxes can quietly add $100 or more to an annual bill. Switching appliances off at the wall or using smart timer plugs cuts this waste completely without inconvenience.
Calculate appliance running costs →