Electric Water Heater running cost, by state
A electric water heater drawing 4000W costs about $361 a year at the US average electricity rate — but that average hides a fourfold spread. Pick your state for a real figure.
At the US average rate
4000W at a 45% duty cycle, 3 hours a day, at 18.34¢/kWh.
About this appliance
Typically the second-largest load in a home after heating and cooling. Tank models reheat continuously to counter standby loss; heat pump water heaters cut consumption by roughly two-thirds.
- Nameplate wattage is not running cost. This electric water heater draws about 4000W when active, but cycles roughly 45% of the time it is switched on, so effective consumption is near 1800W.
- At typical use this is a major load - around 1,971 kWh a year. Efficiency upgrades here pay back faster than on any small appliance.
- If your utility offers time-of-use pricing, shifting this load off-peak can cut its cost substantially without using any less energy.
Annual cost in every state
Sorted cheapest first. Click any state for the full calculation with that state’s rate loaded.
| State | Rate /kWh | Per month | Per year | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | 13.11¢ | $21.55 | $258 | |
| Nebraska | 13.25¢ | $21.78 | $261 | |
| Utah | 13.37¢ | $21.98 | $264 | |
| Louisiana | 13.49¢ | $22.17 | $266 | |
| Tennessee | 14.07¢ | $23.13 | $277 | |
| Arkansas | 14.12¢ | $23.21 | $278 | |
| North Dakota | 14.12¢ | $23.21 | $278 | |
| Kentucky | 14.26¢ | $23.44 | $281 | |
| Oklahoma | 14.33¢ | $23.56 | $282 | |
| Idaho | 14.37¢ | $23.62 | $283 | |
| North Carolina | 14.74¢ | $24.23 | $291 | |
| Mississippi | 14.88¢ | $24.46 | $293 | |
| Washington | 14.91¢ | $24.51 | $294 | |
| New Mexico | 15.06¢ | $24.76 | $297 | |
| Florida | 15.10¢ | $24.82 | $298 | |
| Montana | 15.14¢ | $24.89 | $298 | |
| Arizona | 15.18¢ | $24.95 | $299 | |
| Wyoming | 15.24¢ | $25.05 | $300 | |
| South Dakota | 15.36¢ | $25.25 | $303 | |
| West Virginia | 15.45¢ | $25.40 | $305 | |
| South Carolina | 15.55¢ | $25.56 | $306 | |
| Kansas | 15.71¢ | $25.82 | $310 | |
| Iowa | 15.93¢ | $26.19 | $314 | |
| Texas | 15.94¢ | $26.20 | $314 | |
| Missouri | 16.22¢ | $26.66 | $320 | |
| Oregon | 16.32¢ | $26.83 | $322 | |
| Georgia | 16.36¢ | $26.89 | $322 | |
| Alabama | 16.40¢ | $26.96 | $323 | |
| Colorado | 17.13¢ | $28.16 | $338 | |
| Virginia | 17.22¢ | $28.31 | $339 | |
| Indiana | 17.51¢ | $28.78 | $345 | |
| Minnesota | 17.52¢ | $28.80 | $345 | |
| Ohio | 19.19¢ | $31.54 | $378 | |
| Delaware | 19.29¢ | $31.71 | $380 | |
| Wisconsin | 19.56¢ | $32.15 | $386 | |
| Illinois | 19.89¢ | $32.69 | $392 | |
| Pennsylvania | 21.73¢ | $35.72 | $428 | |
| Maryland | 21.84¢ | $35.90 | $430 | |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $37.79 | $453 | |
| Connecticut | 24.32¢ | $39.98 | $479 | |
| District of Columbia | 24.39¢ | $40.09 | $481 | |
| Vermont | 24.44¢ | $40.17 | $482 | |
| New Jersey | 24.95¢ | $41.01 | $492 | |
| New Hampshire | 27.01¢ | $44.40 | $532 | |
| Alaska | 28.21¢ | $46.37 | $556 | |
| Rhode Island | 29.23¢ | $48.05 | $576 | |
| New York | 29.49¢ | $48.47 | $581 | |
| Maine | 29.59¢ | $48.64 | $583 | |
| Massachusetts | 29.61¢ | $48.67 | $584 | |
| California | 34.74¢ | $57.10 | $685 | |
| Hawaii | 52.72¢ | $86.66 | $1,039 |
Common questions
How many watts does a electric water heater use?
A typical electric water heater draws about 4000 watts while running, with most models falling between 3000W and 5500W. Check the nameplate label or manual for your specific unit - the range is wide enough that averages can mislead.
How much electricity does a electric water heater use per day?
At around 3 hours of use a day and a 45% duty cycle, that works out to roughly 5.4 kWh per day, or about 162 kWh a month. Your actual figure depends on your usage and model.
Why does the cost differ so much between states?
Residential electricity rates across the US range from about 12.35 cents per kWh in North Dakota to 46.62 cents in Hawaii - nearly a fourfold difference. The same electric water heater, used identically, therefore costs almost four times as much to run in the most expensive state as in the cheapest.
Is it cheaper to run a electric water heater at night?
Only if you are on a time-of-use or variable tariff. On a flat rate, the time of day makes no difference to cost. If you are on time-of-use pricing, off-peak hours are typically materially cheaper, and shifting this load can reduce its cost without reducing usage.