How appliance running costs are worked out
Every appliance has a power rating in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW). Run it for an hour and it uses that many kilowatt hours (kWh). Your bill charges a price for each kWh. So a 2,000 W heater running for three hours uses 6 kWh, and at the Ausgrid reference rate of 33.14c that costs about $1.99.
Find the power
Look for watts on the label, or kWh a year on the energy rating label.
Work out the kWh
Divide watts by 1,000 and multiply by the hours used.
Multiply by your rate
Use the cents per kWh on your bill. Our rates by state page lists every regulated price.
Some appliances are easier to price per use, such as a dishwasher or dryer load, or per year, such as a fridge. The calculator switches to the right method for each.
The appliances that cost the most to run
Assumed use for each appliance is shown on its own page. Your hours will differ.
energy.gov.au puts heating and cooling at 20% to 50% of household energy use depending on climate, water heating at 15% to 30%, and appliances at around 30%. If your bill is high, start with these. Our why is my bill so high guide walks through the checks.
Running costs for every appliance
| Appliance | kWh a year | NSW a year | Range by state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air conditioner5 hours a day, every day | 2,738 | $907 | $678-$1,147 |
| Electric heater4 hours a day, every day | 3,504 | $1,161 | $867-$1,469 |
| Ceiling fan8 hours a day, every day | 175 | $58 | $43-$73 |
| Dehumidifier6 hours a day, every day | 438 | $145 | $108-$184 |
| Electric blanket2 hours a day, every day | 110 | $36 | $27-$46 |
| Heated towel rail8 hours a day, every day | 292 | $97 | $72-$122 |
| Appliance | kWh a year | NSW a year | Range by state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot water system150 litres of hot water a day | 2,865 | $949 | $709-$1,201 |
| Pool pump6 hours a day, every day | 2,409 | $798 | $596-$1,010 |
| Pool heater6 hours a day, every day | 5,694 | $1,887 | $1,409-$2,386 |
| Spa and hot tub3 hours a day, every day | 2,628 | $871 | $650-$1,101 |
| Appliance | kWh a year | NSW a year | Range by state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigeratorrunning all year | 495 | $164 | $123-$207 |
| Freezerrunning all year | 300 | $99 | $74-$126 |
| Dishwasher5 uses a week | 261 | $86 | $65-$109 |
| Electric oven1 hour a day, 5 days a week | 626 | $207 | $155-$262 |
| Induction cooktop1 hour a day, every day | 438 | $145 | $108-$184 |
| Microwave15 minutes a day, every day | 100 | $33 | $25-$42 |
| Electric kettle12 minutes a day, every day | 161 | $53 | $40-$67 |
| Toaster6 minutes a day, every day | 37 | $12 | $9-$15 |
| Air fryer30 minutes a day, 4 days a week | 156 | $52 | $39-$66 |
| Slow cooker8 hours a day, 2 days a week | 150 | $50 | $37-$63 |
| Rice cooker30 minutes a day, 3 days a week | 47 | $16 | $12-$20 |
| Coffee machine15 minutes a day, every day | 137 | $45 | $34-$57 |
| Appliance | kWh a year | NSW a year | Range by state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washing machine5 uses a week | 91 | $30 | $23-$38 |
| Clothes dryer3 uses a week | 516 | $171 | $128-$216 |
| Clothes iron20 minutes a day, 2 days a week | 76 | $25 | $19-$32 |
| Appliance | kWh a year | NSW a year | Range by state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Television5 hours a day, every day | 183 | $60 | $45-$76 |
| Desktop computer6 hours a day, 5 days a week | 188 | $62 | $46-$79 |
| Laptop6 hours a day, 5 days a week | 47 | $16 | $12-$20 |
| Gaming console3 hours a day, every day | 219 | $73 | $54-$92 |
| Wi-fi router24 hours a day, every day | 88 | $29 | $22-$37 |
| Phone charger2 hours a day, every day | 15 | $5 | $4-$6 |
| Appliance | kWh a year | NSW a year | Range by state |
|---|---|---|---|
| LED lights5 hours a day, every day | 164 | $54 | $41-$69 |
| Vacuum cleaner30 minutes a day, 2 days a week | 83 | $28 | $21-$35 |
| Hair dryer10 minutes a day, every day | 124 | $41 | $31-$52 |
| Fish tank24 hours a day, every day | 701 | $232 | $173-$294 |
| Treadmill45 minutes a day, 4 days a week | 125 | $41 | $31-$52 |
| Security cameras24 hours a day, every day | 350 | $116 | $87-$147 |
| Electric vehicle250 km a week | 2,216 | $734 | $548-$929 |
| Electric bike3 uses a week | 86 | $29 | $21-$36 |
Finding your appliance's real figures
- The compliance plate. A sticker or plate on the back or base shows the rated power in watts. The SA Government advises using the higher number if a range is shown.
- The energy rating label. Fridges, freezers, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, TVs and air conditioners show kWh a year or input power. The Energy Rating website lists every registered model.
- A plug-in power meter. It measures what an appliance actually uses over a day or week. See our measuring energy use guide.
- Your smart meter data. Half-hourly data shows when big loads switch on. See reading smart meter data.
Power and energy are not the same
Watts measure how fast an appliance uses energy. Kilowatt hours measure how much it used. Our kW vs kWh guide explains the difference in plain terms.
Questions about appliance running costs
Multiply the power in kilowatts by the hours it runs to get kWh, then multiply by your electricity rate. A 2,000 W heater running for 3 hours uses 6 kWh. At 33c per kWh that is $1.98. The calculator does this for you and scales it to a day, week, month and year.
On the compliance plate or label on the appliance, usually on the back or base, or in the manual. Fridges, freezers, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, TVs and air conditioners also carry an energy rating label showing kWh a year or input power.
In most homes, heating and cooling, hot water, pool equipment and electric vehicles use the most. energy.gov.au puts heating and cooling at 20% to 50% of household energy and water heating at 15% to 30%. Small kitchen appliances and electronics use far less.
It starts with the 2026-27 regulated flat rate for your state's main network, including GST. You can pick another network, a time-of-use period where a regulated one exists, controlled load, or type in the rate from your own bill.
Appliances on a thermostat, such as heaters, ovens, fridges and air conditioners, switch on and off once they reach temperature, so they do not draw full power all the time. Lower settings also use less. A plug-in power meter shows real use.
On a flat rate, no. On a time-of-use plan, running big loads outside the evening peak can cut their cost a lot, and free midday plans such as the Solar Sharer Offer make the middle of the day cheapest.
Sources
Every rate on this page comes from the regulator or the regulated retailer. Last checked October 2026. Prices include GST unless we say otherwise.
- SA Government, calculate appliance running costs
- SA Government, save energy in the kitchen
- SA Government, clothes washers and dryers
- SA Government, TVs, computers and electronics
- energy.gov.au, heating and cooling
- energy.gov.au, hot water systems
- energy.gov.au, appliances
- Energy Rating, compare appliance energy use