Electric Kettle Running Cost Calculator
An electric kettle is one of the cheapest appliances to run, but if you boil water several times a day the pennies add up. This calculator gives you a plain-dollar yearly estimate based on your actual usage, not a generic average.
To use it, fill in three numbers: how many times a week you boil the kettle, how much energy (in kWh) your kettle draws per full boil, and your electricity rate in dollars per kWh. You can find your rate on your utility bill, usually listed as a line item. If you do not know your kettle's energy draw, a typical 1500-watt kettle bringing 1.5 liters to a boil uses roughly 0.11 kWh, so the default is a reasonable starting point.
The calculator multiplies your boils per week by 52 weeks, then by the energy per boil, and finally by your rate. The result is your estimated yearly electricity cost for the kettle alone. Use it to compare what a more efficient kettle would save, or just to settle the "is a kettle really cheaper than the stove" debate once and for all.
How the math works
Yearly cost = boils per week x 52 weeks x kWh per boil x your $/kWh rate
Every spec in this tool comes from the product data behind our best coffee makers; see how we choose.
U.S. residential electricity rates by state
The calculator's state dropdown uses these numbers. Download the full table as CSV.
Show all 51 states & rates
| Alabama | 17.15 |
| Alaska | 27.17 |
| Arizona | 15.59 |
| Arkansas | 13.63 |
| California | 33.35 |
| Colorado | 16.74 |
| Connecticut | 30.47 |
| Delaware | 17.64 |
| District of Columbia | 25.0 |
| Florida | 14.86 |
| Georgia | 15.01 |
| Hawaii | 42.23 |
| Idaho | 13.01 |
| Illinois | 18.86 |
| Indiana | 17.85 |
| Iowa | 13.42 |
| Kansas | 15.34 |
| Kentucky | 14.88 |
| Louisiana | 14.16 |
| Maine | 28.32 |
| Maryland | 22.2 |
| Massachusetts | 30.21 |
| Michigan | 21.2 |
| Minnesota | 15.08 |
| Mississippi | 16.3 |
| Missouri | 13.44 |
| Montana | 13.48 |
| Nebraska | 13.1 |
| Nevada | 14.17 |
| New Hampshire | 26.92 |
| New Jersey | 23.49 |
| New Mexico | 14.81 |
| New York | 28.55 |
| North Carolina | 16.0 |
| North Dakota | 11.95 |
| Ohio | 18.78 |
| Oklahoma | 13.56 |
| Oregon | 14.89 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.92 |
| Rhode Island | 29.91 |
| South Carolina | 16.45 |
| South Dakota | 14.29 |
| Tennessee | 15.08 |
| Texas | 16.39 |
| Utah | 13.17 |
| Vermont | 24.11 |
| Virginia | 17.05 |
| Washington | 14.4 |
| West Virginia | 16.37 |
| Wisconsin | 18.8 |
| Wyoming | 13.59 |
Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A, March 2026. Retrieved 2026-06-10. U.S. average: 18.56 cents/kWh.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find my electricity rate?
Check your monthly utility bill. Look for a line labeled 'energy charge' or 'rate per kWh.' The US average is around $0.17/kWh, but rates vary widely by state and season, so using your actual number gives a more accurate result.
How do I know how much energy my kettle uses per boil?
The spec sheet or bottom of the kettle lists wattage. Divide that by 1000 to get kilowatts, then multiply by the minutes it takes to boil and divide by 60. A 1500W kettle that boils in 4 minutes uses about 0.10-0.11 kWh per boil. A plug-in energy monitor like a Kill A Watt can measure it directly if you want a precise figure.
Is a kettle cheaper to run than heating water on the stove?
Usually yes. An electric kettle converts nearly all its energy directly into heat with little waste. Electric stovetop coils and especially gas burners lose heat to the surrounding air and the pot itself. The calculator lets you compare by entering different kWh values if you want to run the numbers for both.
Why does the yearly cost seem so low?
Electric kettles really are cheap to run. A typical household spending under $10 per year on kettle electricity is normal. The cost only becomes notable if you are running a cafe or boiling large volumes many times a day.
Can I use this to compare two different kettles?
Yes. Run the calculator once with the wattage and boil time for your current kettle, note the result, then change the kWh-per-boil value to reflect the other model and compare. The difference tells you the annual savings from switching.