WattCostCalc

Cost to Run a 2,000-watt appliance for 2 hours in California

Running a 2,000-watt appliance for 2 hours uses 4 kWh and costs $1.28 at $0.32/kWh in California. Do that every day and it adds up to $38.40 a month.

$1.28 for 2 hoursat $0.32/kWh

Calculate your own cost

Hours per day:
$1.28per day
Per hour
$0.642 kWh
Per day
$1.284 kWh
Per week
$8.9628 kWh
Per month (30 days)
$38.40120 kWh
Per year
$467.201,460 kWh

Formula: watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × rate. Edit any box and every number updates instantly.

People also ask

How much does a 2,000-watt appliance cost per hour?

At $0.32/kWh, it costs $0.64 per hour. The maths: 2,000 W ÷ 1,000 = 2 kWh per hour, × $0.32 = $0.64.

How much does it cost per month?

Used 2 hours a day for 30 days, it costs about $38.40 per month and uses 120 kWh. Change the hours in the calculator above to match how you use it.

How many kWh does it use?

4 kWh per day, 120 kWh per month and 1,460 kWh per year at 2 hours a day. A kWh is one kilowatt (1,000 W) used for one hour. It is the unit on your electricity bill.

How can I lower the cost?

Use it for fewer hours, switch to a lower-wattage model, and check whether your utility offers cheaper off-peak rates. Enter your own rate above to see the effect.

Does my electricity rate change the answer?

Yes, a lot. At 10¢ per kWh the monthly cost is $12.00 and at 30¢ it is $36.00. Find your rate on your bill (total cost ÷ kWh used) and type it into the calculator.

Cost by hours of use in California

Used per dayEnergy per dayCost per dayCost per monthCost per year
1 hour2 kWh$0.64$19.20$233.60
2 hours4 kWh$1.28$38.40$467.20
3 hours6 kWh$1.92$57.60$700.80
4 hours8 kWh$2.56$76.80$934.40
5 hours10 kWh$3.20$96.00$1,168.00
6 hours12 kWh$3.84$115.20$1,401.60
7 hours14 kWh$4.48$134.40$1,635.20
8 hours16 kWh$5.12$153.60$1,868.80
9 hours18 kWh$5.76$172.80$2,102.40
10 hours20 kWh$6.40$192.00$2,336.00
11 hours22 kWh$7.04$211.20$2,569.60
12 hours24 kWh$7.68$230.40$2,803.20
13 hours26 kWh$8.32$249.60$3,036.80
14 hours28 kWh$8.96$268.80$3,270.40
15 hours30 kWh$9.60$288.00$3,504.00
16 hours32 kWh$10.24$307.20$3,737.60
17 hours34 kWh$10.88$326.40$3,971.20
18 hours36 kWh$11.52$345.60$4,204.80
19 hours38 kWh$12.16$364.80$4,438.40
20 hours40 kWh$12.80$384.00$4,672.00
21 hours42 kWh$13.44$403.20$4,905.60
22 hours44 kWh$14.08$422.40$5,139.20
23 hours46 kWh$14.72$441.60$5,372.80
24 hours48 kWh$15.36$460.80$5,606.40

How we worked it out

  1. Energy per hour: 2,000 W ÷ 1,000 = 2 kWh
  2. Cost per hour: 2 kWh × $0.32 = $0.64
  3. Cost per day: × 2 hours = $1.28
  4. Month and year: × 30 days = $38.40, × 365 days = $467.20

California electricity prices

California pays about $0.32 per kWh, which is 83% higher than the US average of $0.175. The same appliance would cost $21.00 a month at the national average.

What it costs in different places

Same 2,000-watt appliance, 2 hours a day. Only the local electricity rate changes.

PlaceRate per kWhCost per month
United States$0.175$21.00
California$0.32$38.40
Texas$0.155$18.60
New York$0.25$30.00
Florida$0.155$18.60
Illinois$0.17$20.40
Pennsylvania$0.18$21.60
Ohio$0.17$20.40
Washington$0.115$13.80

What this estimate assumes

  • The appliance draws its full stated wattage the whole time it is on. Real units with a thermostat cycle off and cost less.
  • Wattage is the typical label value, not a measured value. Check the label on your own appliance.
  • The rate is an approximate residential average in California. Your bill may include fixed fees, tiers or time-of-use pricing. Edit the rate above.
  • A month is 30 days and a year is 365 days.

Read the full calculation methodology

Keep exploring

Other wattages

Appliances that use 2,000 watts

Cost for different run times

Cost in other places