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Electricity Cost Calculator

Calculate your electricity costs based on appliance usage, wattage and your electricity rate per kWh.

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Disclaimer

This calculator provides estimates for general information purposes only. Results are based on standard formulas and may not reflect your individual circumstances. Always consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to run an air conditioner?
A typical 2kW split system costs about $0.50-0.70 per hour to run at current Australian electricity rates ($0.30/kWh). Running it 8 hours/day costs $4-5.60/day or $120-170/month. Inverter models are 30-40% more efficient than non-inverter units. Every degree cooler you set it adds about 10% to running costs.
What uses the most electricity in an Australian home?
The biggest consumers are typically: heating/cooling (30-40% of bills), hot water (20-25%), appliances like fridges, washers, and dryers (15-20%), lighting (5-10%), and cooking (5%). Pool pumps, if you have one, can add $500-1,000/year. Switching to LED lights and using a clothesline instead of a dryer are the easiest savings.

What is Electricity Cost?

An electricity cost calculator estimates how much it costs to run an appliance based on its wattage (power consumption), hours of use per day, and your electricity rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh).

How this calculator works

The calculator converts your appliance's wattage to kilowatts (÷ 1000), multiplies by hours of daily use to get daily kWh consumption, then multiplies by your electricity rate. Quick-select presets include common appliances like air conditioners (2000W), fridges (150W, 24hr), and pool pumps (1500W). Australian electricity rates typically range from $0.25 to $0.40 per kWh depending on your state, retailer, and tariff type. The annual projection helps you identify which appliances cost the most to run.

All calculations are performed in your browser — your data never leaves your device. Results are for general guidance only and should not be considered professional financial advice.

Built and maintained by Konstantin Iakovlev. Data sourced from the ATO and official Australian government sources.