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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
- Run it fewer hours or on an eco / lower setting.
- Upgrade to a more efficient model (check the energy label).
- Use a smart plug or timer to kill standby and idle draw.
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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