Guides
Short explanations of how electricity costs work, with the numbers behind them.
- How to calculate what an appliance costs to run
The two-step math behind every number on this site, with a worked example. - What is a kWh? The unit on your electric bill
Watts measure how fast electricity is used. Kilowatt-hours measure how much. Your bill charges for the second one. - Why electricity costs so much more in some states
Hawaii pays more than three times what North Dakota pays per kWh. Here is what drives the gap. - Is an efficient appliance worth the higher price?
It depends on three things: the gap in kWh, your state rate and how long you keep it. - How to read the yellow EnergyGuide label
The dollar figure on the label uses a national average rate. The kWh figure is the one to take home.