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Estimating Electricity Use & Cost 

Step 1: Your electric bill is determined by the number of kilowatt-hours (kWh) used during a billing period. For 2021, the average kWh cost was 12.8¢.

Step 2: Wattage determines electrical use per hour and can be found on the serial plate of the appliance. Electric load may also be expressed in volts and amps, rather than watts. If so, multiply volts times amperes to determine the wattage.
120 volts x 12.1 amps = 1,452 watts.

Step 3: Use the formula shown in the following example to estimate use and cost. A light uses 100 watts and is left on for 15 hours. How many kWh are used and what does it cost you?
kWh used = (100 watts x 15 hours) ÷ 1,000 watts = 1.5 kWh.
Your cost = 1.5 kWh x 12.8¢ = 19.2¢.

Average Home Energy Use Donut Chart
Energy Use by Appliance Table

Figures are based on the average use of an appliance in good working condition. Actual use will vary based on the number of hours used and the age and condition of the equipment. 

Receive electricity at a discounted rate by participating in an Energy Wise® load management program. To enroll, contact the Energy Experts® at 651-463-6243. 

Visit our programs and rebates page for more ways to save! 

Pricing is subject to change as rates increase during the summer months. 
*Calculations based on average cooling hours (500) per cooling season. 
**Run time of eight hours per day.