Electricity Cost Calculator
Written by Thierno Sadou Diallo, formula verified per our methodology • Last checked on 9/5/2026
The running cost of an electrical appliance is calculated with (power in kW) × (hours of use) × (price per kWh). A 2,000 W appliance used 3 h/day at the French regulated tariff (€0.2001/kWh) costs about €1.20 a day, or about €438 a year.
Explanation
This calculator estimates the electricity cost of an appliance from its wattage (in watts, shown on its energy label), its daily usage time, and your contract's price per kWh. Wattage is first converted to kilowatts (divided by 1,000), since electricity is priced in currency per kilowatt-hour (kWh) — the energy a 1 kW appliance consumes running for 1 hour. The daily result is then extrapolated over a month (30 days) and a year (365 days) at constant use, a useful simplification for comparing appliances, even though actual use generally varies from day to day. The default price (€0.2001/kWh) corresponds to the regulated EDF Base tariff in effect in France since August 1, 2026, revised twice a year by France's energy regulator (CRE): adjust this field to your own contract, market, and currency if this reference doesn't apply to you. For the carbon footprint of a trip rather than the cost of an appliance, see our trip carbon footprint calculator.
Example: a 2,000 W appliance used 3 h/day
Inputs
Wattage: 2,000 W. Use: 3 h/day. Price: €0.2001/kWh.
Calculation
Daily cost = (2,000 ÷ 1,000) × 3 × 0.2001 = 2 × 3 × 0.2001 = €1.2006. Annual cost = 1.2006 × 365 ≈ €438.22.
Result
This appliance costs about €1.20 a day, or about €438 a year at this usage.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find my appliance's wattage?
It's shown on the energy label (mandatory on household appliances sold in the European Union) or on the appliance's rating plate, generally on the back or underside, expressed in watts (W). For an appliance whose wattage varies by mode (oven, air conditioner), use the average usage wattage rather than the maximum, for a more realistic estimate.
Why does the price per kWh vary so much between contracts?
The regulated tariff (set by France's CRE) serves as a reference, but many suppliers offer market-rate plans, fixed or indexed, sometimes cheaper, sometimes more expensive depending on the period. Peak/off-peak rates, not covered by this calculator (which uses a single price), can also reduce the actual cost if the appliance runs mainly during off-peak hours.
Is this estimate accurate to the cent on my bill?
No, it's an estimate based on constant use and average wattage. An appliance's actual consumption often varies over time (a refrigerator doesn't run continuously at rated power, a heater adjusts its output based on the thermostat), and the real bill also includes a fixed subscription fee, not covered here.