What is this appliance costing me?
Use appliance presets, local electricity rates and daily runtime.
Calculate electricity cost →
Free calculators • Transparent assumptions • U.S. energy data
Calculate energy costs before they hit your bill
Estimate electricity use, compare home upgrades and understand contractor costs with tools that show the math instead of hiding it.
88+ practical pagesCalculators and decision guides
Editable assumptionsUse your own rates and project inputs
Primary-source preferenceEIA, DOE, NREL and technical documentation
No hidden quote formTools work before you share personal data
Traffic engines
Electricity
Solar
HVAC
Projects
Start with the question you actually have
Will solar pay back?
Estimate savings, system size and simple payback before requesting quotes.
Estimate solar payback →Heat pump or gas furnace?
Compare simplified annual heating costs using your own utility prices.
Compare heating costs →Which contractor quote is stronger?
Compare scope, warranties, permits and exclusions side by side.
Compare quotes →
New in V13
Find your highest-value home energy opportunity
Answer a few non-personal questions and WattCostLab will point you to the most useful calculator or guide.
High-intent project guides
Understand the expensive part before you buy
Heat Pump Installation Cost
Capacity, electrical work, backup heat, ductwork and commissioning.
Read guide →HVAC Replacement Cost
Compare equipment, ducts, controls and full installation scope.
Read guide →Solar Panel Installation Cost
Separate system hardware, electrical scope, permitting and add-ons.
Read guide →Home EV Charger Installation Cost
Circuit length, panel capacity, trenching and permits.
Read guide →200 Amp Panel Upgrade Cost
Panel replacement versus a complete electrical service upgrade.
Read guide →Heat Pump Water Heater Installation Cost
Electrical compatibility, drainage, location and operating-cost tradeoffs.
Read guide →
Appliance cost cluster
Turn everyday energy use into searchable answers
Plan a project
Build the budget before talking to contractors
Use the project planner to combine solar, battery, HVAC, electrical, EV charging, water heating and efficiency work into one budget.
Open Project Budget PlannerAlready have quotes?
Compare price, warranty, permits, electrical scope, commissioning and exclusions without uploading personal documents.
Compare up to 3 quotes
Trust & transparency
See the assumptions behind the answer
Methodology
How equations, defaults and examples are handled.
Read methodology →Sources & Data
Primary sources and reference datasets used by the site.
View sources →Editorial Policy
How content is reviewed and separated from commercial relationships.
Read policy →Funding & Disclosure
How advertising, affiliate or referral revenue may support the site.
Read disclosure →
Decision comparisons
Compare the options people actually choose between
Heat Pump vs Gas Furnace
Operating cost, cold-weather performance and installation scope.
Compare heating systems →Home Battery vs Generator
Runtime, power, fuel, noise, maintenance and solar integration.
Compare backup power →Tankless vs Heat Pump Water Heater
Efficiency, retrofit complexity, space and hot-water demand.
Compare water heaters →