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Energy consumption calculator (kWh & cost)

Find out how much each appliance adds to your electricity bill, in kWh and money. Example: a 1,000 W air conditioner running 8 h a day uses 240 kWh a month.

W
h/day
days
$
Monthly cost
$90.00
Monthly consumption120 kWh
Cost per day$3.00
Cost per year$1,080.00

The kWh rate varies by utility; check your power bill.

Interactive lesson: The villain on your power bill The shower draws 5,500 W and costs R$19/month. The AC draws 1,000 W and costs R$204. See why.

How the calculation works

Your power bill is charged per kWh (kilowatt-hour) — energy used over time. To find an appliance's cost:

kWh = (power in W ÷ 1000) × hours per day × days

cost = kWh × price per kWh

Step-by-step example

A 1,400 W AC, 8 h/day for 30 days, at R$0.90/kWh:

  • kWh: (1400 ÷ 1000) × 8 × 30 = 336 kWh
  • Cost: 336 × 0.90 = R$302.40/month

The big consumers

Appliances that heat or cool draw the most: electric shower, AC, iron, dryer. A 10 W LED costs pennies; a 5,500 W shower adds up in minutes.

Examples

  • Fridge 150 W running 24h/day for 30 days: ~108 kWh.
  • A 10 W LED, 5 h/day for 30 days: 1.5 kWh.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the appliance power?

On the product label or manual, in watts (W).

What is the price per kWh?

It is on your bill (tariff + taxes + flag). It varies by region and utility — use your bill's value.

Does standby use energy?

Yes, a little ("phantom load"). TVs, microwaves and plugged-in chargers draw a few watts even off.

Which tariff should I use?

The most accurate is to divide the total bill by the kWh consumed that month — it already includes taxes, distribution charges and the tariff flag.

What weighs most on an electricity bill?

It depends on climate. In summer, usually air conditioning: 1,000 W for 8 hours is 240 kWh a month. Electric showers draw far more power but run only minutes a day.

Is there a minimum charge with no consumption?

Yes, an availability charge: 30 kWh for single-phase, 50 for two-phase and 100 for three-phase connections.

Where do I find an appliance's power rating?

On the manufacturer label, the manual or the Inmetro energy label, which also gives estimated monthly kWh.

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Updated on June 17, 2026 · by Rafael Rossi · Methodology & sources