Appliance Electricity Cost Calculator

In a typical Indian household, the air conditioner (AC) is the single largest electricity consumer, drawing 1,000–2,000W and often running 6–10 hours/day in summer. Among appliances that run continuously, the refrigerator (150–250W, 24 hours/day) is a significant contributor. The water heater/geyser at 2,000W is very high-power but usually used for short durations (30–60 minutes/day). Use this calculator to see the exact cost breakdown for your specific appliances and usage.

Use this formula: Monthly Units (kWh) = (Wattage ÷ 1000) × Hours per day × Days per month. Then multiply by your electricity rate. Example: A 1,500W AC running 8 hours/day for 30 days uses (1500 ÷ 1000) × 8 × 30 = 360 kWh. At ₹7.5/unit, monthly cost = ₹2,700. The wattage is printed on the appliance label or in the manual.

A 200-litre 3-star refrigerator typically draws about 150W on average (accounting for compressor cycling), running 24 hours/day. Monthly consumption = (150 ÷ 1000) × 24 × 30 ≈ 108 kWh. At ₹7.5/unit, that is approximately ₹810/month. A 5-star rated refrigerator of the same size consumes 25–35% less, saving ₹200–₹300/month.

The highest-impact steps: (1) Replace incandescent/CFL bulbs with LED — saves up to 80% of lighting cost. (2) Set your AC to 24–26°C and use a 5-star model — saves ₹3,000–₹6,000/year vs 3-star. (3) Install a solar water heater to replace your electric geyser — saves ₹1,500–₹2,500/year. (4) Run washing machine on full loads only, use cold water. (5) Unplug devices in standby — TVs, chargers, and set-top boxes draw 5–15W even when off. (6) Upgrade to a 5-star refrigerator during next replacement. Use the calculator above to see exactly which appliances give the best return on switching.

One unit of electricity equals 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh), which is the energy used by a 1,000W appliance running for one hour. In India, electricity bills are charged per unit (kWh). Residential rates typically range from ₹3 to ₹10/unit depending on state and consumption slab — higher consumption often attracts higher slab rates.