💧 Water, Pool & Spa
How Much Does a Electric Water Heater Cost to Run?
At the current U.S. average rate of 18.8¢/kWh (April 2026), a electric water heater costs about $74.58 per month at typical usage — 2.9 hours/day.
Per hour
$0.85
at 3,500–5,500 W
Per day
$2.45
2.9 hours/day
Per month
$74.58
397 kWh
Per year
$895
4,763 kWh
A standard electric tank water heater is typically the second-largest energy user in an all-electric home, burning 10–15 kWh a day for a family's showers, laundry, and dishes. Its 4,500-watt elements run about three hours a day in aggregate.
Calculate it for your home
Per hour
$0.85
Per day
$2.45
Per month
$74.58
Per year
$895
Uses 397 kWh/month at 18.8¢ per kWh.
Cheapest and most expensive states
Monthly cost at typical usage, using each state's current average residential rate.
Cost in every state
| State | Rate (¢/kWh) | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.4 | $0.56 | $49.19 | $591 |
| Idaho | 12.7 | $0.57 | $50.38 | $605 |
| Nebraska | 13.3 | $0.60 | $52.76 | $634 |
| Oklahoma | 13.3 | $0.60 | $52.76 | $634 |
| Utah | 13.3 | $0.60 | $52.76 | $634 |
| Iowa | 13.9 | $0.63 | $55.14 | $662 |
| Montana | 13.9 | $0.63 | $55.14 | $662 |
| Missouri | 14.0 | $0.63 | $55.54 | $667 |
| Arkansas | 14.2 | $0.64 | $56.33 | $676 |
| Nevada | 14.3 | $0.64 | $56.73 | $681 |
| Louisiana | 14.4 | $0.65 | $57.13 | $686 |
| Washington | 14.4 | $0.65 | $57.13 | $686 |
| South Dakota | 14.5 | $0.65 | $57.52 | $691 |
| Wyoming | 14.7 | $0.66 | $58.32 | $700 |
| Tennessee | 14.9 | $0.67 | $59.11 | $710 |
| Kentucky | 15.0 | $0.67 | $59.51 | $714 |
| New Mexico | 15.2 | $0.68 | $60.30 | $724 |
| Florida | 15.4 | $0.69 | $61.09 | $734 |
| Georgia | 15.4 | $0.69 | $61.09 | $734 |
| Arizona | 15.5 | $0.70 | $61.49 | $738 |
| Kansas | 15.8 | $0.71 | $62.68 | $753 |
| Oregon | 15.8 | $0.71 | $62.68 | $753 |
| West Virginia | 16.1 | $0.72 | $63.87 | $767 |
| North Carolina | 16.3 | $0.73 | $64.67 | $776 |
| Minnesota | 16.4 | $0.74 | $65.06 | $781 |
| Colorado | 16.5 | $0.74 | $65.46 | $786 |
| Mississippi | 16.8 | $0.76 | $66.65 | $800 |
| Texas | 17.0 | $0.77 | $67.44 | $810 |
| South Carolina | 17.1 | $0.77 | $67.84 | $815 |
| Alabama | 17.4 | $0.78 | $69.03 | $829 |
| Virginia | 17.4 | $0.78 | $69.03 | $829 |
| Indiana | 17.9 | $0.81 | $71.01 | $853 |
| Delaware | 18.8 | $0.85 | $74.58 | $895 |
| Wisconsin | 19.2 | $0.86 | $76.17 | $915 |
| Ohio | 19.5 | $0.88 | $77.36 | $929 |
| Illinois | 20.5 | $0.92 | $81.33 | $976 |
| Michigan | 21.4 | $0.96 | $84.90 | $1,019 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.5 | $0.97 | $85.29 | $1,024 |
| Maryland | 22.1 | $0.99 | $87.68 | $1,053 |
| New Jersey | 23.5 | $1.06 | $93.23 | $1,119 |
| Vermont | 24.6 | $1.11 | $97.59 | $1,172 |
| Washington, D.C. | 25.4 | $1.14 | $101 | $1,210 |
| New Hampshire | 27.2 | $1.22 | $108 | $1,296 |
| Alaska | 27.4 | $1.23 | $109 | $1,305 |
| Rhode Island | 28.3 | $1.27 | $112 | $1,348 |
| Maine | 28.4 | $1.28 | $113 | $1,353 |
| Massachusetts | 29.5 | $1.33 | $117 | $1,405 |
| New York | 29.5 | $1.33 | $117 | $1,405 |
| Connecticut | 32.2 | $1.45 | $128 | $1,534 |
| California | 35.3 | $1.59 | $140 | $1,681 |
| Hawaii | 46.6 | $2.10 | $185 | $2,220 |
How to lower the cost
- Set the thermostat to 120°F — hotter settings cost more and raise scald risk.
- Low-flow showerheads pay for themselves in weeks on electric hot water.
- If your utility offers a water-heater timer or off-peak program, a tank stores heat beautifully — enroll.
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does a electric water heater use?
A typical electric water heater draws about 4,500 watts in use. At 2.9 hours/day, that works out to roughly 13 kWh per day, or 397 kWh per month.
How much does it cost to run a electric water heater for 1 hour?
At the current U.S. average residential rate of 18.8¢/kWh, one hour costs about $0.85. In North Dakota (12.4¢/kWh) it's $0.56, while in Hawaii (46.6¢/kWh) it's $2.10.
How much does a electric water heater cost to run per month?
With typical usage (2.9 hours/day), expect about $74.58 per month at the U.S. average rate — from $49.19 in North Dakota up to $185 in Hawaii. Rates are as of April 2026.
Does a electric water heater use a lot of electricity?
Yes — at typical usage it accounts for roughly 45% of an average U.S. home's monthly consumption (885 kWh), which makes it one of the larger loads in the house.