How much does it cost to run a drip coffee maker?
A drip coffee maker costs about 7.2¢ per hour, 4.0¢ a day, $1.22 a month and $15 a year at typical use (30 minutes a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Drip coffee makers draw 900-1,200 W for about 8-10 minutes to brew, then 60-100 W to keep the hot plate warm. Leaving the warmer on for hours often doubles the energy.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brewing | 1,000 | 7.2¢ | 4.0¢ | $1.22 | $15 |
| Warming plate | 80 | 0.6¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
At 30 minutes a day and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.42 | 7.6¢ | $2.32 | $28 |
| 2 hours | 0.82 | 15¢ | $4.50 | $54 |
| 4 hours | 1.62 | 29¢ | $8.87 | $106 |
| 8 hours | 3.22 | 58¢ | $17.61 | $211 |
| 12 hours | 4.81 | 87¢ | $26.35 | $316 |
| 24 hours | 9.60 | $1.73 | $52.57 | $631 |
Cost to run a drip coffee maker in every state
The same drip coffee maker 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¢ | 4.9¢ | $0.84 | $10 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 5.1¢ | $0.86 | $10 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 5.1¢ | $0.87 | $10 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 5.2¢ | $0.88 | $11 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 5.3¢ | $0.91 | $11 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 5.3¢ | $0.91 | $11 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 5.4¢ | $0.91 | $11 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 5.4¢ | $0.92 | $11 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 5.5¢ | $0.93 | $11 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 5.5¢ | $0.94 | $11 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 5.6¢ | $0.95 | $11 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 5.6¢ | $0.95 | $11 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 5.6¢ | $0.95 | $11 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 5.6¢ | $0.96 | $12 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 5.7¢ | $0.96 | $12 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 5.7¢ | $0.97 | $12 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 5.9¢ | $1.00 | $12 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 5.9¢ | $1.00 | $12 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 6.0¢ | $1.03 | $12 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 6.0¢ | $1.03 | $12 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 6.1¢ | $1.04 | $13 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 6.2¢ | $1.05 | $13 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 6.2¢ | $1.05 | $13 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 6.2¢ | $1.05 | $13 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 6.2¢ | $1.05 | $13 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 6.3¢ | $1.06 | $13 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 6.4¢ | $1.09 | $13 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 6.5¢ | $1.10 | $13 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 6.6¢ | $1.12 | $13 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 6.6¢ | $1.12 | $13 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 6.6¢ | $1.13 | $14 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 6.8¢ | $1.15 | $14 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 7.1¢ | $1.21 | $15 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 7.3¢ | $1.24 | $15 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 7.5¢ | $1.27 | $15 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 7.5¢ | $1.28 | $15 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 8.3¢ | $1.41 | $17 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 8.4¢ | $1.43 | $17 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 8.4¢ | $1.43 | $17 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 9.5¢ | $1.62 | $19 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 9.5¢ | $1.62 | $19 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 9.7¢ | $1.65 | $20 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 11¢ | $1.81 | $22 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 11¢ | $1.83 | $22 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 11¢ | $1.90 | $23 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 11¢ | $1.93 | $23 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 12¢ | $1.99 | $24 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 12¢ | $1.99 | $24 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 12¢ | $2.07 | $25 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 13¢ | $2.24 | $27 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 17¢ | $2.96 | $36 |
How to cut the cost
- Pour coffee into an insulated carafe or thermos and turn off the hot plate.
- Set auto-shutoff to 30 minutes if your model allows it.
- Descale monthly with vinegar; scale slows brewing and lengthens heat-up.
- Brew only the cups you will drink.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Keeps coffee hot for hours with no warming plate power.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drip coffee maker | 1,000 | 30 minutes a day | $1.22 | $15 |
| Keurig | 1,400 | 10 cups a week | $0.73 | $9 |
| Espresso machine | 1,400 | 30 minutes a day | $1.85 | $22 |
| Electric kettle | 1,500 | 6 minutes a day | $0.82 | $10 |
| Nespresso | 1,300 | 10 cups a week | $0.26 | $3 |
| Hot plate | 1,000 | 45 minutes a day | $2.46 | $30 |
| Instant Pot | 1,000 | 45 minutes a day, 3 days a week | $0.83 | $10 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a drip coffee maker per hour?
A drip coffee maker drawing 1,000 watts uses 0.40 kWh per hour while running (40% duty cycle). At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 7.2¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 4.9¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 17¢.
How much does it cost to run a drip coffee maker per month?
At typical use (30 minutes a day), a drip coffee maker costs about $1.22 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 drip coffee maker use?
Most drip coffee makers use 60 to 1,500 watts, depending on the setting (brewing 1,000 W, warming plate 80 W). Plugged in but off, it still draws about 1 W of standby power. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a drip coffee maker use?
About 0.22 kWh a day and 82 kWh a year at typical use (30 minutes a day).
Does a drip coffee maker use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 82 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 drip coffee maker or a Keurig?
At typical use, a drip coffee maker costs about $15 a year versus $9 for a Keurig. So the Keurig is cheaper by about $6 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a drip coffee maker?
- Pour coffee into an insulated carafe or thermos and turn off the hot plate.
- Set auto-shutoff to 30 minutes if your model allows it.
- Descale monthly with vinegar; scale slows brewing and lengthens heat-up.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.