Handy Daily

A cost estimate, with the assumptions visible

Electricity cost calculator.

Use the best energy figure you have. Enter prices in currency units per kWh, such as 0.20 for 20 cents.

Your appliance, your rate
Use 100 for steady power. A compressor may cycle. Measured kWh is more reliable.
Currency units, not cents. Example: 20¢ = 0.20.

What the calculator does

It turns energy use into electricity cost. It does not predict a complete utility bill.

The formulas

Daily kWh = watts ÷ 1,000 × daily hours × active share

Cost = kWh × price per kWh

For cycle mode, daily energy is cycle kWh × weekly cycles ÷ 7. For an annual label, daily energy is annual kWh ÷ 365. The year estimate always uses 365 days.

A worked example

A hypothetical 500 W device running steadily for four hours uses 2 kWh. At an example price of $0.20/kWh, that is $0.40 a day, or $12 for 30 days. The initial inputs are examples, not local prices or typical appliance use.

Choose the right method

For fridges, dehumidifiers, and air conditioners, measured daily kWh usually gives a closer estimate than rated watts. For a dryer or dishwasher, use measured energy per complete cycle. Annual labels are standardized comparisons.

The active-share setting scales the watts estimate. It excludes energy used in standby and fan-only modes. Do not guess an active percentage when a measurement is available.

What it leaves out

Fixed fees, taxes that are not in the entered rate, tier changes, separate hot-water energy, and seasonal changes. Currency selection changes formatting only. It does not convert exchange rates.

Read how to calculate appliance electricity cost and why cycling matters.

Sources

U.S. EIA: Measuring electricity explains the units. FTC EnergyGuide guidance explains label limitations.