Electricity Cost Calculator
Calculate your electricity costs based on appliance usage, wattage and your electricity rate per kWh.
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?
What uses the most electricity in an Australian home?
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.
Australian Electricity Rates 2025-26
Capital city averages: SA $0.40/kWh (highest), NSW $0.35, VIC $0.33, QLD $0.30, WA $0.30, TAS $0.28, NT $0.26, ACT $0.28. Plus daily supply charge $0.85-$1.25/day. Time-of-use tariffs: peak (~$0.50/kWh weekdays 2-8pm), shoulder ($0.30), off-peak ($0.20 overnight). Default single-rate tariffs are simpler but cost more if you can shift load to off-peak.
Biggest Electricity Consumers
Air conditioning (2-3 kW × 4-8 hrs in summer): $5-$15/day, $200-$600 summer cost. Electric hot water (3.6 kW system): ~$700-$1,500/yr. Pool pump (1.5 kW × 6 hrs): $1/day, $365/yr. Fridge (150W × 24hr): ~$100/yr (efficient model). Dryer (2.4 kW × 1 hr/load × 100 loads): ~$70/yr. Old halogen downlights: $200-$400/yr extra vs LEDs.
Saving on Electricity Bills
(1) Compare retailers annually via Energy Made Easy (energymadeeasy.gov.au) — average savings $400-$800/yr just from switching. (2) LED lighting saves 80% on lighting cost. (3) Heat pump hot water saves 60-70% vs electric resistance. (4) Smart thermostats / programmable schedules. (5) Time-shifting loads (dishwasher, washing) to off-peak. (6) Solar PV (~3-7 yr payback with current rates).
Solar and Feed-in Tariffs
Australian solar feed-in tariffs collapsed from 60-66¢/kWh (legacy schemes 2010-2016) to 4-8¢/kWh today. The gap between buying ($0.30) and selling ($0.05) means SELF-CONSUMPTION is where savings come from. Battery storage shifts solar to evenings — payback typically 7-12 yrs at current rates. Use our Battery Storage and Solar Savings calculators for system-specific economics.
Official Sources
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.