How much does it cost to run a central vacuum?
A central vacuum costs about 29¢ per hour, 4.1¢ a day, $1.25 a month and $15 a year at typical use (30 minutes a day, 2 days a week) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Central vacuum power units in a garage or basement draw 1,400-1,800 W at 120 V (larger units 240 V).
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Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.46 | 8.2¢ | $2.50 | $30 |
| 2 hours | 0.91 | 16¢ | $5.01 | $60 |
| 4 hours | 1.83 | 33¢ | $10.01 | $120 |
| 8 hours | 3.66 | 66¢ | $20.03 | $240 |
| 12 hours | 5.49 | 99¢ | $30.04 | $360 |
| 24 hours | 10.97 | $1.97 | $60.08 | $721 |
Cost to run a central vacuum in every state
The same central vacuum costs $10 a year in North Dakota and $36 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 20¢ | $0.86 | $10 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 20¢ | $0.88 | $11 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 21¢ | $0.89 | $11 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 21¢ | $0.90 | $11 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 21¢ | $0.93 | $11 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 21¢ | $0.93 | $11 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 21¢ | $0.93 | $11 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 22¢ | $0.94 | $11 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 22¢ | $0.95 | $11 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 22¢ | $0.96 | $12 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 22¢ | $0.97 | $12 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 22¢ | $0.97 | $12 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 22¢ | $0.97 | $12 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 23¢ | $0.98 | $12 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 23¢ | $0.98 | $12 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 23¢ | $0.99 | $12 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 24¢ | $1.03 | $12 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 24¢ | $1.03 | $12 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 24¢ | $1.05 | $13 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 24¢ | $1.05 | $13 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 25¢ | $1.07 | $13 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 25¢ | $1.07 | $13 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 25¢ | $1.07 | $13 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 25¢ | $1.08 | $13 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 25¢ | $1.08 | $13 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 25¢ | $1.09 | $13 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 26¢ | $1.11 | $13 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 26¢ | $1.13 | $14 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 26¢ | $1.14 | $14 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 26¢ | $1.15 | $14 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 27¢ | $1.15 | $14 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 27¢ | $1.18 | $14 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 28¢ | $1.24 | $15 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 29¢ | $1.27 | $15 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 30¢ | $1.30 | $16 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 30¢ | $1.31 | $16 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 33¢ | $1.44 | $17 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 34¢ | $1.46 | $18 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 34¢ | $1.46 | $18 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 38¢ | $1.65 | $20 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 38¢ | $1.66 | $20 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 39¢ | $1.68 | $20 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 43¢ | $1.86 | $22 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 43¢ | $1.87 | $22 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 45¢ | $1.95 | $23 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 45¢ | $1.98 | $24 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 47¢ | $2.04 | $24 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 47¢ | $2.04 | $24 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 49¢ | $2.12 | $25 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 53¢ | $2.30 | $28 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 70¢ | $3.03 | $36 |
How to cut the cost
- Empty the canister at two-thirds full; suction falls as it fills.
- Clean or replace the filter per the manual, typically yearly.
- Use the shortest hose length and nearest inlet.
- Turn off the unit at the inlet switch between rooms.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Lets you stop the motor between rooms without walking to the unit.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central vacuum | 1,600 | 30 minutes a day, 2 days a week | $1.25 | $15 |
| Vacuum cleaner | 1,200 | 30 minutes a day, 2 days a week | $0.94 | $11 |
| Cordless stick vacuum | 30 | 3.5 hours a day, 3 days a week | $0.31 | $4 |
| Robot vacuum | 30 | 2 hours a day | $0.69 | $8 |
| Steam mop | 1,300 | 15 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.18 | $2 |
| Carpet cleaner | 1,000 | 15 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.20 | $2 |
| Wet dry vacuum mop | 560 | 15 minutes a day, 2 days a week | $0.22 | $3 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a central vacuum per hour?
A central vacuum drawing 1,600 watts uses 1.60 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 29¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 20¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 70¢.
How much does it cost to run a central vacuum per month?
At typical use (30 minutes a day, 2 days a week), a central vacuum costs about $1.25 a month and $15 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a central vacuum use?
Most central vacuums use 1,200 to 2,000 watts. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a central vacuum use?
About 0.23 kWh a day and 83 kWh a year at typical use (30 minutes a day, 2 days a week).
Does a central vacuum use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 83 kWh a year it's a small share (0.8%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a central vacuum or a vacuum cleaner?
At typical use, a central vacuum costs about $15 a year versus $11 for a vacuum cleaner. So the vacuum cleaner is cheaper by about $4 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a central vacuum?
- Empty the canister at two-thirds full; suction falls as it fills.
- Clean or replace the filter per the manual, typically yearly.
- Use the shortest hose length and nearest inlet.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.