How much does it cost to run a cordless drill (charging)?
A cordless drill (charging) costs about 1.3¢ per hour, 0.4¢ a day, $0.12 a month and $1 a year at typical use (1 hour a day, 1 days a week) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Charging a 20 V 2-5 Ah battery takes 0.05-0.12 kWh; weekly charging costs under $1 a year.
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Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.02 | 0.4¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
| 2 hours | 0.03 | 0.6¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| 4 hours | 0.05 | 0.9¢ | $0.28 | $3 |
| 8 hours | 0.09 | 1.6¢ | $0.50 | $6 |
| 12 hours | 0.13 | 2.4¢ | $0.72 | $9 |
| 24 hours | 0.25 | 4.5¢ | $1.37 | $16 |
Cost to run a cordless drill (charging) in every state
The same cordless drill (charging) costs $1 a year in North Dakota and $3 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¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 1.0¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 1.0¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 1.0¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 1.0¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 1.0¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 1.0¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 1.0¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 1.0¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 1.0¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 1.0¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 1.1¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 1.1¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 1.1¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 1.1¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 1.1¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 1.1¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 1.1¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 1.1¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 1.1¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 1.1¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 1.2¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 1.2¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 1.2¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 1.2¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 1.2¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 1.3¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 1.3¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 1.3¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 1.4¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 1.5¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 1.5¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 1.7¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 1.7¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 1.7¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 1.9¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 1.9¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 2.0¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 2.0¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 2.0¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 2.1¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 2.1¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 2.3¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 3.0¢ | $0.29 | $3 |
How to cut the cost
- Unplug the charger once batteries are full; some draw 0.5-2 W idle.
- Store batteries at room temperature to retain capacity.
- Use a corded drill for long hole-saw jobs.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Brushless motors are 10-30% more efficient, extending runtime per charge.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cordless drill (charging) | 70 | 1 hour a day, 1 days a week | $0.12 | $1 |
| Tool battery charger | 100 | 1 hour a day, 2 days a week | $0.29 | $3 |
| Circular saw | 1,500 | 15 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.29 | $4 |
| Table saw | 1,800 | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.35 | $4 |
| Bench grinder | 400 | 15 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.08 | $1 |
| Battery tender / trickle charger | 10 | 24 hours a day for 5 months a year | $1.31 | $7 |
| Shop vac | 1,200 | 15 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.23 | $3 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a cordless drill (charging) per hour?
A cordless drill (charging) drawing 70 watts uses 0.07 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 1.3¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.9¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 3.0¢.
How much does it cost to run a cordless drill (charging) per month?
At typical use (1 hour a day, 1 days a week), a cordless drill (charging) costs about $0.12 a month and $1 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 cordless drill (charging) use?
Most cordless drill (charging)s use 30 to 150 watts. Plugged in but off, it still draws about 0.5 W of standby power. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a cordless drill (charging) use?
About 0.02 kWh a day and 8 kWh a year at typical use (1 hour a day, 1 days a week).
Does a cordless drill (charging) use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 8 kWh a year it's a small share (0.1%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a cordless drill (charging) or a tool battery charger?
At typical use, a cordless drill (charging) costs about $1 a year versus $3 for a tool battery charger. So the cordless drill (charging) is cheaper by about $2 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a cordless drill (charging)?
- Unplug the charger once batteries are full; some draw 0.5-2 W idle.
- Store batteries at room temperature to retain capacity.
- Use a corded drill for long hole-saw jobs.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.