Where do I find the wattage of my appliance?

Check the label on the back or bottom of the appliance, the product manual, or the manufacturer's website. Many appliances also list wattage (or amps × volts = watts) near the power cord.

Where do I find my electricity rate?

Look at your utility bill — it's usually listed as cents or dollars per kWh. The US average is around $0.16/kWh, but rates vary widely by state and provider.

Why is the payback period "Never"?

If the new appliance costs more to run than the old one, or if annual savings are zero, there is no payback. This can happen if the new appliance uses more watts or runs fewer hours.

Does this account for demand charges or tiered rates?

No — this calculator uses a flat per-kWh rate. For a precise bill forecast, use your actual blended rate (total bill ÷ total kWh used that month).

What is a good payback period for an appliance upgrade?

Generally under 3 years is excellent, 3–7 years is reasonable for long-lived appliances like HVAC units, and over 10 years is hard to justify unless the appliance needs replacing anyway.

Energy Savings Calculator

Name: Energy Savings Calculator
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Enter old and new appliance wattage, daily usage, and your electricity rate to see annual savings and how long before the upgrade pays for itself.

Appliance Details

Old Appliance Wattage (W)

Current or old unit wattage

New Appliance Wattage (W)

Replacement or upgraded unit wattage

Hours Used Per Day

Electricity Rate ($/kWh)

US average ~$0.16/kWh

New Appliance Cost (optional, $)

Leave blank to skip payback period

Enter appliance details and click Calculate Savings

Summary

Enter old and new appliance wattage, daily usage, and your electricity rate to see annual savings and how long before the upgrade pays for itself.

How it works

Enter the wattage of your old appliance (check the label or manual).
Enter the wattage of the new, more efficient replacement.
Set how many hours per day the appliance runs.
Enter your electricity rate in dollars per kWh (check your utility bill).
Optionally enter the cost of the new appliance to see the payback period.
Read the annual savings and payback period instantly.

Use cases

Decide whether upgrading to an Energy Star refrigerator or AC is worth the upfront cost.
Estimate savings from switching from incandescent bulbs to LED lighting.
Compare two HVAC units with different efficiency ratings before buying.
Calculate how long insulation or a smart thermostat takes to pay off.
Justify energy-efficiency investments to landlords or property managers.
Track cumulative savings over 5 or 10 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-11 · Reviewed by Nham Vu