Plug-in electricity usage monitor
Plugs in between the wall and any single appliance to show its real, measured electricity use instead of an estimate.
Compare on AmazonCost to Run a Electric water heater (standard tank)
The heating element only runs when actively heating water, not continuously — 3 hours is a rough daily average for a typical household's hot water use, not the unit's nameplate wattage times 24.
At the national average rate
$2.54Per day
$76.14Per month
$926.37Per year
Based on 4500W, 3.0 hours/day, at 18.8¢/kWh (national average).
Typical wattage
| Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|
| 1500W | 4500W | 4500W |
Get your exact number
Use your own wattage, hours per day, and electricity rate for a precise figure.
Cost by state
Alabama
17.4¢/kWh
Alaska
27.4¢/kWh
Arizona
15.5¢/kWh
Arkansas
14.2¢/kWh
California
35.2¢/kWh
Colorado
16.5¢/kWh
Connecticut
32.2¢/kWh
Delaware
18.8¢/kWh
Florida
15.4¢/kWh
Georgia
15.4¢/kWh
Hawaii
46.6¢/kWh
Idaho
12.7¢/kWh
Illinois
20.5¢/kWh
Indiana
17.9¢/kWh
Iowa
13.9¢/kWh
Kansas
15.8¢/kWh
Kentucky
15.0¢/kWh
Louisiana
14.4¢/kWh
Maine
28.4¢/kWh
Maryland
22.1¢/kWh
Massachusetts
29.4¢/kWh
Michigan
21.4¢/kWh
Minnesota
16.4¢/kWh
Mississippi
16.8¢/kWh
Missouri
14.0¢/kWh
Montana
13.9¢/kWh
Nebraska
13.3¢/kWh
Nevada
14.3¢/kWh
New Hampshire
27.2¢/kWh
New Jersey
23.5¢/kWh
New Mexico
15.2¢/kWh
New York
29.4¢/kWh
North Carolina
16.2¢/kWh
North Dakota
12.3¢/kWh
Ohio
19.5¢/kWh
Oklahoma
13.3¢/kWh
Oregon
15.8¢/kWh
Pennsylvania
21.5¢/kWh
Rhode Island
28.3¢/kWh
South Carolina
17.1¢/kWh
South Dakota
14.5¢/kWh
Tennessee
14.9¢/kWh
Texas
17.0¢/kWh
Utah
13.3¢/kWh
Vermont
24.6¢/kWh
Virginia
17.4¢/kWh
Washington
14.4¢/kWh
West Virginia
16.1¢/kWh
Wisconsin
19.2¢/kWh
Wyoming
14.7¢/kWh
Save on this appliance
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Frequently asked questions
Why does this differ from my actual utility bill?
Nameplate wattage is often a maximum, not a constant draw. Cycling appliances like fridges and freezers, your exact usage pattern, and your utility's rate structure can all shift the real number.
Where do I find my appliance's actual wattage?
Check the nameplate or label on the unit itself, usually on the back or bottom, or the manufacturer spec sheet.
Should I use a plug-in energy monitor instead of estimating?
If you want an exact figure rather than an estimate, yes — a plug-in monitor measures actual draw over time, which accounts for cycling and real usage patterns an estimate cannot.
Does time-of-use electricity pricing change this?
Yes, if your utility charges different rates by time of day, your actual cost can differ from a flat-rate estimate — check your specific rate plan.