1. What is the Electric Cost Calculator?

This calculator estimates the cost of electricity based on the power consumption of an appliance or device, how long it's used, and your local electricity rate. It helps you understand and manage your energy expenses.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Power consumption in watts (W)
• \( h \) — Usage time in hours
• \( \text{Cost/kWh} \) — Electricity cost per kilowatt-hour

Explanation: The formula first converts watt-hours to kilowatt-hours (kWh) by dividing by 1000, then multiplies by the cost per kWh to get the total cost.

3. Understanding the Results

Electric Cost: This is the total cost to run the device for the specified time at the given electricity rate.

Energy Consumption: This shows how many kilowatt-hours of energy the device consumed during the specified time period.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• Find the wattage on your device's label or specifications
• Estimate your actual usage time (hours per day, week, or month)
• Check your electricity bill for your actual cost per kWh
• For devices with variable power, use average or maximum wattage

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I find my device's wattage?
A: Look for a label on the device, check the manual, or search for the model online. Some devices list amps and volts instead - multiply them to get watts.

Q2: What's the average cost per kWh?
A: In the US, it's about $0.10-$0.30 per kWh, but varies by location. Check your electricity bill for your exact rate.

Q3: Should I use daily, weekly or monthly hours?
A: It depends on your goal. For monthly cost estimates, multiply daily hours by 30 or weekly hours by 4.

Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It's accurate for constant power devices. For devices with variable power (like refrigerators), it's an estimate.

Q5: Can I calculate annual costs?
A: Yes, either multiply monthly costs by 12 or calculate daily costs multiplied by 365.