Electrical equipment being assessed in a home

Appliance Running Cost Calculator

What does an appliance cost to run? Use its power rating and the usage rate on your electricity bill to compare different running times.

Look for W on the appliance label or use measured power. Do not open equipment to find it.

Copy the usage rate from your bill. This is different from the daily supply charge.

Enter all four values to calculate the energy used and its cost.

Compare daily use

Try fewer daily hours to see the saving. For appliances that cycle on and off, a measured energy figure gives a better picture than the label alone.

Planning lighting or fan work?Illustration of electrical hand tools on a workbench

Method and assumptions

Energy used (kWh) = watts divided by 1,000, multiplied by hours per day and days. Energy cost (AUD) = kWh multiplied by cents per kWh, divided by 100. Power and tariff come from your appliance label, meter reading and electricity bill. We do not supply a default tariff.

This calculation assumes the appliance draws the stated power for every hour entered and the same tariff applies throughout. Fridges, heaters and air conditioners may cycle; their nameplate power may overstate average use. Time-of-use rates, standby use, solar credits and fixed supply charges are excluded. This is an energy-cost calculation, not an installation quote or a test of circuit safety.

Never touch exposed wiring or use damaged equipment to measure power. Read the Queensland Electrical Safety Office guidance before using electrical equipment.