Electricity Cost Calculator
Pick an appliance or enter its watts, say how long it runs and enter your rate to see the running cost in CAD per hour, day, month and year.
Formulas shown on this page · Last reviewed October 2026
How the electricity cost calculator works
kWh = watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × quantity
cost = kWh × rate per kWh
Appliance wattage is on the rating label or in the manual. Fridges and heat pumps cycle on and off, so the presets use an average draw rather than the maximum. Presets are typical for Canada, for example a 1.5 kW kettle or a 1.5 kW heater; edit the watts and hours to match your own.
Your electricity rate
The default rate is $0.17 per kWh, which is typical but only a guide. Electricity is regulated provincially, so rates, tiers and time-of-use periods differ widely between provinces and utilities. The rate is quoted in cents per kWh on most bills, so divide by 100 to enter it here, and check your latest bill for the exact figure.
| Example | kWh/day | Cost/day | Cost/year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle (1.5 kW, 120 V), 0.25 h/day | 0.38 | $0.06 | $23 |
| Space heater (1.5 kW, 120 V), 4 h/day | 6 | $1.02 | $372 |
| EV charger (7 kW, 240 V), 3 h/day | 21 | $3.57 | $1,303 |
Fixed charges
Many Canadian bills add a fixed daily fixed charge that varies by utility; it is set to zero by default and shown separately if you enter one. Standard North American plugs on 120 V circuits limit portable appliances to about 1.5 kW, while electric dryers and EV chargers run on 240 V.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 1.5 kW kettle cost to run?
Used 15 minutes a day it draws 0.38 kWh, costing about $0.06 a day or $23 a year at $0.17 per kWh.
What does a 1.5 kW heater cost per hour?
1.5 kWh × $0.17 = $0.26 per hour. Running 4 hours a day that is $1.02 a day.
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home?
A 7 kW charger running 3 hours delivers 21 kWh for about $3.57 at the default rate. Time-of-use tariffs can lower this.
How do I convert watts to kWh?
Divide the watts by 1,000 and multiply by the hours used. For example, 2,000 W for 3 hours is 2 × 3 = 6 kWh.