Cost to Run a 4,000-watt heat pump for 1 hour in California
Running a 4,000-watt heat pump for 1 hour 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.
Calculate your own cost
- Per hour
- $1.284 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 4,000-watt heat pump cost per hour?
At $0.32/kWh, it costs $1.28 per hour. The maths: 4,000 W ÷ 1,000 = 4 kWh per hour, × $0.32 = $1.28.
How much does it cost per month?
Used 1 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 1 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?
Clean filters and keep outdoor coils clear; use the equipment label for a better estimate. Check your bill for the exact rate and enter it above.
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 day | Energy per day | Cost per day | Cost per month | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 4 kWh | $1.28 | $38.40 | $467.20 |
| 2 hours | 8 kWh | $2.56 | $76.80 | $934.40 |
| 3 hours | 12 kWh | $3.84 | $115.20 | $1,401.60 |
| 4 hours | 16 kWh | $5.12 | $153.60 | $1,868.80 |
| 5 hours | 20 kWh | $6.40 | $192.00 | $2,336.00 |
| 6 hours | 24 kWh | $7.68 | $230.40 | $2,803.20 |
| 7 hours | 28 kWh | $8.96 | $268.80 | $3,270.40 |
| 8 hours | 32 kWh | $10.24 | $307.20 | $3,737.60 |
| 9 hours | 36 kWh | $11.52 | $345.60 | $4,204.80 |
| 10 hours | 40 kWh | $12.80 | $384.00 | $4,672.00 |
| 11 hours | 44 kWh | $14.08 | $422.40 | $5,139.20 |
| 12 hours | 48 kWh | $15.36 | $460.80 | $5,606.40 |
| 13 hours | 52 kWh | $16.64 | $499.20 | $6,073.60 |
| 14 hours | 56 kWh | $17.92 | $537.60 | $6,540.80 |
| 15 hours | 60 kWh | $19.20 | $576.00 | $7,008.00 |
| 16 hours | 64 kWh | $20.48 | $614.40 | $7,475.20 |
| 17 hours | 68 kWh | $21.76 | $652.80 | $7,942.40 |
| 18 hours | 72 kWh | $23.04 | $691.20 | $8,409.60 |
| 19 hours | 76 kWh | $24.32 | $729.60 | $8,876.80 |
| 20 hours | 80 kWh | $25.60 | $768.00 | $9,344.00 |
| 21 hours | 84 kWh | $26.88 | $806.40 | $9,811.20 |
| 22 hours | 88 kWh | $28.16 | $844.80 | $10,278.40 |
| 23 hours | 92 kWh | $29.44 | $883.20 | $10,745.60 |
| 24 hours | 96 kWh | $30.72 | $921.60 | $11,212.80 |
How we worked it out
- Energy per hour: 4,000 W ÷ 1,000 = 4 kWh
- Cost per hour: 4 kWh × $0.32 = $1.28
- Cost per day: × 1 hours = $1.28
- 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 heat pump would cost $21.00 a month at the national average.
What it costs in different places
Same 4,000-watt heat pump, 1 hours a day. Only the local electricity rate changes.
| Place | Rate per kWh | Cost 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 |
About heat pump running costs
A heat pump moves heat rather than making all heat with resistance elements. Its electrical draw varies with outdoor temperature and system size.
Typical sizes: 1,500 W, 2,000 W, 3,000 W, 4,000 W.
How to spend less: Clean filters and keep outdoor coils clear; use the equipment label for a better estimate.
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.