Cost to Run a 100-watt 3D printer for 20 hours
Running a 100-watt 3D printer for 20 hours uses 2 kWh and costs $0.35 at $0.175/kWh. Do that every day and it adds up to $10.50 a month.
Calculate your own cost
- Per hour
- $0.0180.1 kWh
- Per day
- $0.352 kWh
- Per week
- $2.4514 kWh
- Per month (30 days)
- $10.5060 kWh
- Per year
- $127.75730 kWh
Formula: watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × rate. Edit any box and every number updates instantly.
People also ask
How much does a 100-watt 3D printer cost per hour?
At $0.175/kWh, it costs $0.018 per hour. The maths: 100 W ÷ 1,000 = 0.1 kWh per hour, × $0.175 = $0.018.
How much does it cost per month?
Used 20 hours a day for 30 days, it costs about $10.50 per month and uses 60 kWh. Change the hours in the calculator above to match how you use it.
How many kWh does it use?
2 kWh per day, 60 kWh per month and 730 kWh per year at 20 hours a day. A kWh is one kilowatt (1,000 W) used for one hour. It is the unit on your electricity bill.
How can I lower the cost?
Use the printer’s measured energy or power-monitor data for a precise job estimate. Check your bill for the exact rate and enter it above.
Does my electricity rate change the answer?
Yes, a lot. At 10¢ per kWh the monthly cost is $6.00 and at 30¢ it is $18.00. Find your rate on your bill (total cost ÷ kWh used) and type it into the calculator.
Cost by hours of use
| Used per day | Energy per day | Cost per day | Cost per month | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.1 kWh | $0.018 | $0.525 | $6.39 |
| 2 hours | 0.2 kWh | $0.035 | $1.05 | $12.78 |
| 3 hours | 0.3 kWh | $0.053 | $1.58 | $19.16 |
| 4 hours | 0.4 kWh | $0.07 | $2.10 | $25.55 |
| 5 hours | 0.5 kWh | $0.088 | $2.63 | $31.94 |
| 6 hours | 0.6 kWh | $0.105 | $3.15 | $38.33 |
| 7 hours | 0.7 kWh | $0.123 | $3.68 | $44.71 |
| 8 hours | 0.8 kWh | $0.14 | $4.20 | $51.10 |
| 9 hours | 0.9 kWh | $0.158 | $4.73 | $57.49 |
| 10 hours | 1 kWh | $0.175 | $5.25 | $63.88 |
| 11 hours | 1.1 kWh | $0.193 | $5.78 | $70.26 |
| 12 hours | 1.2 kWh | $0.21 | $6.30 | $76.65 |
| 13 hours | 1.3 kWh | $0.228 | $6.83 | $83.04 |
| 14 hours | 1.4 kWh | $0.245 | $7.35 | $89.43 |
| 15 hours | 1.5 kWh | $0.263 | $7.88 | $95.81 |
| 16 hours | 1.6 kWh | $0.28 | $8.40 | $102.20 |
| 17 hours | 1.7 kWh | $0.298 | $8.93 | $108.59 |
| 18 hours | 1.8 kWh | $0.315 | $9.45 | $114.98 |
| 19 hours | 1.9 kWh | $0.333 | $9.98 | $121.36 |
| 20 hours | 2 kWh | $0.35 | $10.50 | $127.75 |
| 21 hours | 2.1 kWh | $0.368 | $11.03 | $134.14 |
| 22 hours | 2.2 kWh | $0.385 | $11.55 | $140.53 |
| 23 hours | 2.3 kWh | $0.403 | $12.08 | $146.91 |
| 24 hours | 2.4 kWh | $0.42 | $12.60 | $153.30 |
How we worked it out
- Energy per hour: 100 W ÷ 1,000 = 0.1 kWh
- Cost per hour: 0.1 kWh × $0.175 = $0.018
- Cost per day: × 20 hours = $0.35
- Month and year: × 30 days = $10.50, × 365 days = $127.75
What it costs in different places
Same 100-watt 3D printer, 20 hours a day. Only the local electricity rate changes.
| Place | Rate per kWh | Cost per month |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $0.175 | $10.50 |
| California | $0.32 | $19.20 |
| Texas | $0.155 | $9.30 |
| New York | $0.25 | $15.00 |
| Florida | $0.155 | $9.30 |
| Illinois | $0.17 | $10.20 |
| Pennsylvania | $0.18 | $10.80 |
| Ohio | $0.17 | $10.20 |
| Washington | $0.115 | $6.90 |
About 3D printer running costs
A 3D printer’s heated bed and hot end create changing power demand. Average draw varies by material, bed temperature and print duration.
Typical sizes: 100 W, 200 W, 350 W, 500 W.
How to spend less: Use the printer’s measured energy or power-monitor data for a precise job estimate.
What this estimate assumes
- The appliance draws its full stated wattage the whole time it is on. Real units with a thermostat cycle off and cost less.
- Wattage is the typical label value, not a measured value. Check the label on your own appliance.
- The rate is an approximate residential average. Your bill may include fixed fees, tiers or time-of-use pricing. Edit the rate above.
- A month is 30 days and a year is 365 days.