calctricUSE ONLINE · FREE · NO SIGNUP
Usage & Cost
Understand one load. Compare the alternatives. See what power, runtime and your electricity rate mean over time.
YOUR RESULT
Private by design. Calculations run on this device. No account or saved web history.
HOW TO USE IT
From inputs to insight.
- Choose One load or Compare. Enter electrical input power per item, quantity and average runtime for each option.
- Choose W or kW. Unit changes convert your entered value. In Compare, the first option is the baseline; any other option can become the baseline.
- Enter your tariff in cents or dollars per kWh, or leave it blank for energy only.
- Read every period’s estimate, or change the comparison period to see savings or extra use.
WORKED EXAMPLE
A small change, over a year.
Compare ten 60 W bulbs with ten 9 W LEDs, each running 5 hours/day at 14¢/kWh. Daily energy is 3 kWh versus 0.45 kWh: 85% less energy and about $130.31/year lower energy cost.
Check lumen ratings and suitability when comparing actual products.
Know what the answer means.
Daily energy = kW per item × quantity × hours/day. Weekly totals use 7 days, monthly totals use your chosen month length and yearly totals use 365 days. Enter average daily runtime including days off.
Flat-rate energy charges only. Fixed fees, taxes, demand charges, time-of-use pricing, purchase cost and payback are excluded. Use electrical input power, not motor shaft output. An empty rate means unknown cost; a zero rate means zero cost.
Calculation aids can contain errors. Verify inputs and real conditions independently. Read our terms and safety disclaimer.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Make sense of the result.
How much does a 1,500 W heater cost to run?
At an entered rate of 14¢/kWh, a 1,500 W load running for 8 hours uses 1.5 × 8 = 12 kWh and costs $1.68 per day in energy charges. A 30-day month is $50.40. Your rate and actual heater runtime can differ; a thermostat-controlled heater may cycle off.
Should I enter cents or dollars per kWh?
Either is supported. Match the Rate unit selector to your entry: 14¢/kWh is the same as $0.14/kWh. Changing the selector converts an existing value. Entering 14 with dollars selected means $14/kWh.
How do I compare two appliances or lighting options?
Choose Compare and give each option its own power per item, quantity and average hours per day. All options share the rate, currency label and month length. The first option is the baseline; Use as baseline changes it. Compare equipment that provides equivalent service, including lumen output for lighting.
Why is the yearly result different from twelve monthly results?
Yearly totals use 365 days. Monthly totals use your chosen number of days. Twelve 30-day months represent 360 days, so their total differs from the yearly estimate.
Can I calculate energy use without knowing my rate?
Yes. Leave the rate blank to see kWh without an estimated cost. Enter zero only if you mean a zero energy rate. Fixed charges, taxes, time-of-use tariffs, demand charges and purchase costs are outside this tool’s scope.