HOME/FREE TOOLS/POWER CONSUMPTION
Electrical

Power consumption calculator

Turn an appliance’s wattage and run time into the energy it uses and what it costs to run — per day, week and year at your electricity tariff.

The appliance
Its power draw, how long it runs and your tariff.
Running cost per year
$1,198
2,400 W for 6 hrs/day uses 14.40 kWh a day — about $4.61 daily and $23 a week.
Energy per day14.40 kWh
Energy per year3,744 kWh
Cost per day$4.61
Cost per week$23
Cost per year$1,198

Doing an energy assessment for a client? traqR turns your findings into a tidy quote and report you can send on the spot.

Start free trial

How it works

1

Watts to kilowatt-hours

Power in watts divided by 1,000 gives kilowatts. Multiply by the hours it runs to get kilowatt-hours (kWh) — the unit you’re billed on.

2

Scale up the usage

Multiply the daily energy by the days per week and weeks per year to get total annual consumption for the appliance.

3

Apply the tariff

Multiply kWh by your electricity rate (cents per kWh) to turn energy use into a dollar cost per day, week and year.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate the running cost of an appliance?

Multiply its power (kW) by the hours it runs to get kilowatt-hours, then multiply by your electricity tariff. For example, a 2,400 W tool run 6 hours a day uses 14.4 kWh — about $4.61 a day at 32c per kWh.

Where do I find an appliance’s wattage?

On the compliance or nameplate label, usually near the power inlet, or in the manual. If only amps and volts are shown, multiply them (W = V × A). For motors and heaters the running wattage may differ from the peak start-up draw.

What tariff should I use?

Use the usage (consumption) rate from your electricity bill in cents per kWh — commonly 25–40c in Australia, though it varies by retailer, plan and time of use. Don’t forget that time-of-use plans charge more in peak periods.

Does this include standby power?

No — this calculates power while the appliance is actively running. Many devices also draw standby power around the clock, which can add up across a workshop or office. For those, estimate the standby watts running 24/7 separately.

This calculator is a general estimate. Actual energy use varies with load, duty cycle, standby draw and appliance condition, and tariffs vary by retailer and time of use. Use nameplate figures and your own tariff for the closest result.

From assessment to quote

Doing an energy assessment for a client? traqR turns your findings into a tidy quote and report. Try it free for 14 days.

Start free trial View pricing