2026-27 rates are live. DMO, VDO and solar feed-in tariffs updated for July 2026. See what changed

Around the home

Vacuum Cleaner Running Costs for Corded, Stick and Robot Use

What vacuuming costs on 2026-27 electricity prices, and how corded, cordless and robot vacuums compare on power use.

Checked against regulator sources, October 2026

Typical draw
1,600 W
Corded barrel vacuum
Usage assumed
83 kWh
a year
NSW cost
$28
a year, Ausgrid
Cost an hour
53c
NSW reference rate
watts
hrs
days

Use decimals for short times. 15 minutes is 0.25 hours.

State or territory

Vacuum cleaner: cost a year

$28

53c an hour7.6c a day53c a week$2.30 a month
Energy usedper year83 kWh
Electricity priceAusgrid, flat rate33.14c
Share of a typical homeagainst 4,000 kWh a year2%
Cost a year, GST included$27.65

Appliances on a thermostat cycle on and off, so real use is often lower than the full power draw.

Prices are 2026-27 regulated rates including GST. Market offers can be cheaper. Estimates only.

What vacuuming costs in each state

The table assumes a 1,600 W corded vacuum used for half an hour, twice a week.

Vacuum cleaner: corded barrel vacuum, 1,600 w, 30 minutes a day, 2 days a week
StateRateA monthA year
TasmaniaAurora Energy24.75c$1.72$21
QueenslandEnergex27.97c$1.94$23
Victoriaaverage of five networks28.2c$1.96$24
Northern TerritoryJacana Energy31.68c$2.20$26
New South WalesAusgrid33.14c$2.30$28
Western AustraliaSynergy33.26c$2.31$28
Australian Capital TerritoryEvoenergy network36.95c$2.57$31
South AustraliaSA Power Networks41.91c$2.91$35
Flat regulated usage rate for each state's main network in 2026-27, including GST. Victoria uses the average of its five networks.

Corded, cordless and robot vacuums

Running costs by type, 30 minutes a day, 2 days a week
TypePowerCost an hourA year
Robot vacuum40 W1c$1
Corded barrel vacuum, 1,600 W1,600 W53c$28
Cordless stick, charging100 W3c$2
Priced at the Ausgrid reference rate of 33.14c/kWh. Use the calculator for your own state and hours.

Corded barrel or upright

  • Strong, steady suction
  • No battery to wear out
  • Highest power draw per hour

Best for: Large homes and thick carpet.

Cordless stick

  • Low energy per clean
  • Quick to grab for small jobs
  • Limited run time on high power
  • Battery replacement cost

Best for: Hard floors and quick daily cleans.

Robot

  • Very low power use
  • Runs on a schedule
  • Dock draws standby power all day

Best for: Keeping floors tidy between proper cleans.

Empty the bin and clean the filter

A full bin or blocked filter cuts suction, so you vacuum for longer. For other small appliances around the home, see all appliance running costs.

Questions about vacuum running costs

About 53c with a 1,600 W corded vacuum on the Ausgrid reference rate.

Yes. They run on small batteries charged at low power, so the energy per clean is usually much lower than a corded vacuum.

Very little. Charging draws a small amount, and the dock uses some standby power all day. Even with the dock left on, a robot vacuum usually costs only a few dollars a year to run.

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.