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How much does it cost to run an electric water heater? ($61.20/mo)
Running an electric water heater costs about $61.20 / month
($2.04/day at 3 h/day, $0.17/kWh).
($2.04/day at 3 h/day, $0.17/kWh).
Running cost calculator
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A tank electric water heater is one of the largest steady energy users in a home, reheating stored water throughout the day.
Cost at different electricity rates
| Electricity rate | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.10/kWh | $1.20 | $36.00 | $438.00 |
| $0.15/kWh | $1.80 | $54.00 | $657.00 |
| $0.20/kWh | $2.40 | $72.00 | $876.00 |
| $0.25/kWh | $3.00 | $90.00 | $1,095.00 |
| $0.30/kWh | $3.60 | $108.00 | $1,314.00 |
| $0.40/kWh | $4.80 | $144.00 | $1,752.00 |
Cost over time
| Per hour of use | $0.68 |
| Per day (3 h) | $2.04 |
| Per month | $61.20 |
| Per year | $744.60 |
How to spend less running an electric water heater
- Cut the hours: An electric water heater at 3 h/day runs about $61.20/month — trimming one hour saves roughly $20.40/month.
- Lower the setting: running an electric water heater on a lower or eco setting drops the wattage directly.
- Upgrade efficiency: a newer electric water heater near 3,000 W uses far less than an old 5,500 W one.
Want the raw figure? See how many watts an electric water heater uses.
FAQ
How many watts does an electric water heater use?
Tank models use about 3000-5500 watts while the element is heating.
How can I cut water heating costs?
Lower the thermostat to 120F, insulate the tank and fix hot-water leaks.
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