Electricity usage is calculated in kilowatt-hours. A kilowatt-hour is 1,000 watts used for one hour. As an example, a 100-watt light bulb operating for ten hours would use one kilowatt-hour.
How to calculate electric usage cost:
1. Volts x Amps = Watts
2. Watts ÷ 1,000 = Kilowatts (kW)
3. Kilowatts (kW) x Hours of Use = Kilowatt Hours (kWh)
4. Kilowatt Hours (kWh) xkWh rate= Cost of Usage
5. Add TVA Energy Fuel Cost charge per kWh
Below are some examples of electrical appliances found in most homes. These examples are using an 11 cents per kWh rate and are based on a 1,800 sq.ft. home.
| Appliance/Equipment | Avg. Daily Usage | Monthly kWh (31 Days) | Approximate Cost/Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort & Health | |||
| Air Conditioner – Window 12,000 BTU (1,400 W) | 12 hours/day | 521 | $57.29 |
| Portable Dehumidifier (600 W - 50 Pint) | 12 hours/day | 223 | $24.55 |
| Portable Humidifier (50 W) | 12 hours/day | 19 | $2.05 |
| Fan – Furnace - 1/2 HP (400 W) | 12 hours/day | 149 | $16.37 |
| Fan – Ceiling - 60" (100 W) | 12 hours/day | 37 | $4.09 |
| Heat Pump - Heating 30,000 BTUh 7.5 HSPF* | varies | 8,439 annually | $950.00 annually |
| Heat Pump - Cooling 30,000 BTUh 14.3 SEER** | varies | 3,625 annually | $399.00annually |
| *Heating Season Performance Factor (an efficiency rating) Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio | |||
| Space Heater – Portable (1500 W) | 12 hours/day | 558 | $61.00 |
| Water Heater Standard 50 gal (4,500 W) | 3 hours/day | 419 | $46.04 |
| Kitchen | |||
| Toaster Oven (1,200 W) | 1 hour/week | 37 | $4.09 |
| Coffee Maker (900 W) | one hour/day | 28 | $3.07 |
| Dishwasher (1,200 W) | one hour/day | 37 | $4.09 |
| Microwave Oven (1,000 W) | 1 hour/day | 31 | $3.41 |
| Oven (2,300 W) | 1 hour/day | 71 | $7.84 |
| Cooktop (1,000 W) | 1 hour/day | 31 | $3.41 |
| Upright Freezer (175 W) | 12 hrs/day | 65 | $7.16 |
| Refrigerator/Freezer – (150 W, 22 cu ft) | 12 hrs/day | 56 | $6.14 |
| Laundry | |||
| Clothes Dryer (3,400 W) | 1 hr/day | 105 | $11.59 |
| Washer (290 W) | 1 hr/day | 9 | $.99 |
| Iron (1,000 W) | 1 hr/day | 31 | $3.41 |
| Home Entertainment/Recreation | |||
| 42″ TV - 42" Plasma (in use) | 5 hours/day/td> | 50 | $5.51 |
| 42″ TV - 42" LCD (in use) | 5 hours/day | 24 | $2.68 |
| DVD Player(in use) | 2 hours/week | 4 | $0.44 |
| High-Definition Gaming (in use) | 2 hours/week | 12 | $1.33 |
| Desktop Computer w/LCD Monitor (in use) | 4 hours/day | 27 | $3.00 |
| Cable TV Set-Top Box (26 W) | 24 hours/day | 19 | $2.13 |
| Router (25 W) | 24 hours/day | 18 | $2.05 |
| Ink-Jet Printer (in use) | 1 hour/day | 5 | $0.5 |
| Leisure | |||
| Hot Tub (5,000 W) | 2 hours/day | 310 | $34.10 |
| Pool Pump (1 hp) | continuous | 1116 | $122.76 |
| General | |||
| Clock Radio (4W) | 12 hours/day | 1.49 | $0.16 |
| Vacuum (1200 W) | 10 minutes | 6 | $0.68 |
| Hair Dryer (1,600W) | 20 minutes | 18 | $1.78 |
| Lighting | |||
| Incandescent (60 W) | 4 hours/day | 7.4 | $0.82 |
| LED 60 W Equivalent (9 W) | 4 hours/day | 1.1 | $0.12 |
| Incandescent (75 W) | 4 hours/day | 9.3 | $1.02 |
| LED 75 W Equivalent (12 W) | 4 hours/day | 1.5 | $0.16 |
| Incandescent (100 W) | 4 hours/day | 12.4 | $1.36 |
| LED 100 W Equivalent (17 W) | 4 hours/day | 2.1 | $0.23 |
| Farm | |||
| Livestock Tank Heater (1,200 W) | 12 hours/day | 446 | $49.10 |
| Livestock/Poultry Heat Lamp (250 W) | 24 hours/day | 186 | $20.46 |
| Tractor Engine Block Heater (600W) | 12 hours/day | 223 | $24.55 |
| Electric Fence Charger (33W) | 0-1 hours/day | 1 | $.11 |
| Well Pump (1,000 W) | 1 hour/day | 31 | $3.41 |
| Electric Vehicle | Electric Vehicle Charger* (7,200 W) | 2 hours/day | 437 | $48.05 |
| *An electric vehicle will travel 40 miles on a 2-hour charge or 280 miles per week when charging for 2 hours daily. | |||
As an expert in electrical systems and energy consumption, I can confidently delve into the intricacies of electricity usage and cost calculations. My extensive knowledge is backed by a profound understanding of the fundamental concepts and practical applications involved. Let's break down the information provided in the article:
Concepts used in the article:
-
Electricity Usage Measurement: Kilowatt-Hours (kWh)
- Electricity usage is quantified in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
- Definition: One kilowatt-hour represents the consumption of 1,000 watts over one hour.
-
Electricity Usage Cost Calculation:
- The article outlines a five-step process to calculate electric usage cost:
- Volts x Amps = Watts
- Watts ÷ 1,000 = Kilowatts (kW)
- Kilowatts (kW) x Hours of Use = Kilowatt Hours (kWh)
- Kilowatt Hours (kWh) x kWh rate = Cost of Usage
- Add TVA Energy Fuel Cost charge per kWh
- The article outlines a five-step process to calculate electric usage cost:
-
Examples of Electrical Appliances:
- The article provides examples of various household appliances, their average daily usage, monthly kWh consumption, and approximate cost per month.
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TVA Energy Fuel Cost:
- The article incorporates the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Energy Fuel Cost charge per kWh in the calculation.
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Electricity Consumption Examples for Various Appliances:
- Examples are given for a variety of appliances, including air conditioner, dehumidifier, fan, heat pump, space heater, water heater, kitchen appliances, laundry appliances, home entertainment/recreation devices, lighting options, leisure devices, and even electric vehicle charging.
-
Rate of Electricity:
- The examples use an 11 cents per kWh rate for calculating the cost.
-
Energy Efficiency Ratings:
- The energy efficiency ratings of heat pumps are mentioned, such as Heating Season Performance Factor (HSPF) and Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER).
-
Miscellaneous:
- The article covers a diverse range of appliances, including those used in farming and electric vehicle charging.
By presenting this comprehensive information, the article effectively guides readers through understanding and calculating electricity usage costs for various appliances, taking into account different factors and considerations. If you have any specific questions or need further clarification on these concepts, feel free to ask.
