Cost to Run a 1,200-watt appliance for 5 hours in California
Running a 1,200-watt appliance for 5 hours uses 6 kWh and costs $1.92 at $0.32/kWh in California. Do that every day and it adds up to $57.60 a month.
Calculate your own cost
- Per hour
- $0.3841.2 kWh
- Per day
- $1.926 kWh
- Per week
- $13.4442 kWh
- Per month (30 days)
- $57.60180 kWh
- Per year
- $700.802,190 kWh
Formula: watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × rate. Edit any box and every number updates instantly.
People also ask
How much does a 1,200-watt appliance cost per hour?
At $0.32/kWh, it costs $0.384 per hour. The maths: 1,200 W ÷ 1,000 = 1.2 kWh per hour, × $0.32 = $0.384.
How much does it cost per month?
Used 5 hours a day for 30 days, it costs about $57.60 per month and uses 180 kWh. Change the hours in the calculator above to match how you use it.
How many kWh does it use?
6 kWh per day, 180 kWh per month and 2,190 kWh per year at 5 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 it for fewer hours, switch to a lower-wattage model, and check whether your utility offers cheaper off-peak rates. Enter your own rate above to see the effect.
Does my electricity rate change the answer?
Yes, a lot. At 10¢ per kWh the monthly cost is $18.00 and at 30¢ it is $54.00. Find your rate on your bill (total cost ÷ kWh used) and type it into the calculator.
Cost by hours of use in California
| Used per day | Energy per day | Cost per day | Cost per month | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 1.2 kWh | $0.384 | $11.52 | $140.16 |
| 2 hours | 2.4 kWh | $0.768 | $23.04 | $280.32 |
| 3 hours | 3.6 kWh | $1.15 | $34.56 | $420.48 |
| 4 hours | 4.8 kWh | $1.54 | $46.08 | $560.64 |
| 5 hours | 6 kWh | $1.92 | $57.60 | $700.80 |
| 6 hours | 7.2 kWh | $2.30 | $69.12 | $840.96 |
| 7 hours | 8.4 kWh | $2.69 | $80.64 | $981.12 |
| 8 hours | 9.6 kWh | $3.07 | $92.16 | $1,121.28 |
| 9 hours | 10.8 kWh | $3.46 | $103.68 | $1,261.44 |
| 10 hours | 12 kWh | $3.84 | $115.20 | $1,401.60 |
| 11 hours | 13.2 kWh | $4.22 | $126.72 | $1,541.76 |
| 12 hours | 14.4 kWh | $4.61 | $138.24 | $1,681.92 |
| 13 hours | 15.6 kWh | $4.99 | $149.76 | $1,822.08 |
| 14 hours | 16.8 kWh | $5.38 | $161.28 | $1,962.24 |
| 15 hours | 18 kWh | $5.76 | $172.80 | $2,102.40 |
| 16 hours | 19.2 kWh | $6.14 | $184.32 | $2,242.56 |
| 17 hours | 20.4 kWh | $6.53 | $195.84 | $2,382.72 |
| 18 hours | 21.6 kWh | $6.91 | $207.36 | $2,522.88 |
| 19 hours | 22.8 kWh | $7.30 | $218.88 | $2,663.04 |
| 20 hours | 24 kWh | $7.68 | $230.40 | $2,803.20 |
| 21 hours | 25.2 kWh | $8.06 | $241.92 | $2,943.36 |
| 22 hours | 26.4 kWh | $8.45 | $253.44 | $3,083.52 |
| 23 hours | 27.6 kWh | $8.83 | $264.96 | $3,223.68 |
| 24 hours | 28.8 kWh | $9.22 | $276.48 | $3,363.84 |
How we worked it out
- Energy per hour: 1,200 W ÷ 1,000 = 1.2 kWh
- Cost per hour: 1.2 kWh × $0.32 = $0.384
- Cost per day: × 5 hours = $1.92
- Month and year: × 30 days = $57.60, × 365 days = $700.80
California electricity prices
California pays about $0.32 per kWh, which is 83% higher than the US average of $0.175. The same appliance would cost $31.50 a month at the national average.
What it costs in different places
Same 1,200-watt appliance, 5 hours a day. Only the local electricity rate changes.
| Place | Rate per kWh | Cost per month |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $0.175 | $31.50 |
| California | $0.32 | $57.60 |
| Texas | $0.155 | $27.90 |
| New York | $0.25 | $45.00 |
| Florida | $0.155 | $27.90 |
| Illinois | $0.17 | $30.60 |
| Pennsylvania | $0.18 | $32.40 |
| Ohio | $0.17 | $30.60 |
| Washington | $0.115 | $20.70 |
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 in California. 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.