Appliance Electricity Cost

When to use it

Plan the running cost of one appliance over a week, month or any chosen whole number of days. The example uses USD and a single constant tariff; it is simulated, not a current electricity quote. Download the canvas to replace the inputs in Calvance.

Inputs

USD

Calculation method

Average operating power × daily operating time gives daily energy, converted to kWh. Multiply by the number of days, then by the tariff per kWh. The canvas uses real W, h and kWh units; do not also divide by 1,000. At 1,200 W for 3 h daily, consumption is 3.6 kWh per day and 108 kWh over 30 days. Days is a count of repeated daily usage, not another time unit. All money uses the same currency without exchange rates.

Units now participate in the calculation. Enter each number with its actual compatible unit; changing a label alone does not convert a value. Results convert to the displayed units.

1,200 [Power W] × 3 [Daily use h] → Daily energy kWh

Daily energy kWh × 30 [Days] → Period energy kWh

Period energy kWh × 0.18 [Tariff USD/kWh] → Electricity cost USD

Change one input

Change daily use from 3 to 5 hours, keeping power, days and tariff unchanged. Energy and cost both rise by two thirds; the comparison below uses the same tariff.

Results are displayed to at most two decimal places; later formulas use unrounded values.

Scope and limits

• Use average power during the entered operating hours, not necessarily maximum rated power.
• Daily hours: 0–24. Power, tariff and whole-number days must be nonnegative.
• Prices are illustrative; use a consistent tariff throughout.

This estimates the energy charge for one device, not the entire utility bill. Standing charges, tiered rates, time-of-use prices and standby consumption outside the entered hours are excluded. Use measured power or a meter reading for cycling appliances.

Download and import into Calvance to edit the numbers. The canvas does not reject every invalid input; check the stated ranges.

Common questions

Can I use the wattage on the label?

Only if it represents power during the hours entered. A heater or refrigerator may cycle off; using peak power for every elapsed hour can overestimate usage.

Why use days instead of a fixed month?

Enter the actual period: 7, 28, 30 or 31 days, for example. The calculation does not assume every month or year has the same length.

References

EIA · Measuring electricity

How to import your template

We recommend using the latest version of Calvance.

1. Save the file. Choose Download template and save the .calvx file to Files on your iPhone or iPad. From a computer, you can send it to your device with AirDrop.
2. Open Import. In All Canvases in Calvance, tap the add button to open the template screen, then choose Import.
3. Choose the file. Select the saved .calvx file to create your own canvas. Importing uses one canvas from your allowance.
4. Edit and check. Check the results against the worked example, then add your numbers. Duplicate the canvas to keep different versions.

Download .calvx file