Electricity Cost Calculator
Calculate what any appliance costs to run — per day, month, and year
Quick answer: A 150W refrigerator running 24h at 16¢/kWh costs $0.58/day or $211/year. An electric kettle (2000W) boiled for 5 min costs just 0.03¢ per use.
Electricity Rates by Country (2024 averages)
| Country | Avg rate/kWh | Structure |
|---|---|---|
| 🇩🇪 Germany | ~€0.38 | Highest in Europe; heavy renewables levy |
| 🇬🇧 UK | ~29p (£0.29) | Energy Price Guarantee applies |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | ~33c (A$) | Varies by state; QLD cheapest, SA most expensive |
| 🇪🇺 EU average | ~€0.28 | Ranges widely: France ~€0.22, Spain ~€0.25 |
| 🇺🇸 USA | ~$0.16 | State variation: LA ~10¢, CA ~28¢, HI ~43¢ |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | ~C$0.15 | Quebec cheapest (hydro); Ontario peak pricing |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | ~¥27 (≈$0.18) | Rising due to LNG imports after Fukushima |
| 🇮🇳 India | ~₹8 (≈$0.10) | Subsidised residential tariffs; varies by state |
| 🇨🇳 China | ~¥0.55 (≈$0.08) | Time-of-use pricing common in major cities |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a kWh and a Watt?
A Watt (W) is a unit of power — how fast energy is used at any instant. A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a unit of energy — how much energy is consumed over time. Your electricity bill charges for kWh. A 1000W (1 kW) appliance running for 1 hour uses 1 kWh.
How does time-of-use pricing affect electricity costs?
Many countries are rolling out time-of-use (TOU) tariffs where electricity is cheaper at off-peak hours (often overnight) and more expensive during peak demand periods (evening). UK Octopus Agile, US utilities in California, and Australian retailers all offer TOU plans. Shifting appliance use to off-peak can cut bills by 20-30%.
Why is electricity so much more expensive in Germany and Australia?
Germany has high electricity prices due to renewable energy levies (EEG-Umlage), grid fees, and taxes. Australia combines high infrastructure costs over a vast low-density grid with coal phase-out pressures. By contrast, countries with abundant hydro power (Norway, Canada, Brazil) have very low electricity prices.