How much does it cost to run an electric gate opener?
An electric gate opener costs about 4.5¢ per hour, 2.4¢ a day, $0.72 a month and $9 a year at typical use (3 minutes a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Residential gate openers draw 100-500 W for about 15-20 seconds per cycle; standby electronics and battery charging (3-10 W) dominate annual use.
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Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.36 | 6.6¢ | $2.00 | $24 |
| 2 hours | 0.61 | 11¢ | $3.34 | $40 |
| 4 hours | 1.10 | 20¢ | $6.02 | $72 |
| 8 hours | 2.08 | 37¢ | $11.39 | $137 |
| 12 hours | 3.06 | 55¢ | $16.76 | $201 |
| 24 hours | 6.00 | $1.08 | $32.85 | $394 |
Cost to run an electric gate opener in every state
The same electric gate opener costs $6 a year in North Dakota and $21 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¢ | 3.1¢ | $0.50 | $6 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 3.2¢ | $0.51 | $6 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 3.2¢ | $0.52 | $6 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 3.2¢ | $0.52 | $6 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 3.3¢ | $0.54 | $6 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 3.3¢ | $0.54 | $6 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 3.4¢ | $0.54 | $6 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 3.4¢ | $0.55 | $7 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 3.4¢ | $0.55 | $7 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 3.5¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 3.5¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 3.5¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 3.5¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 3.5¢ | $0.57 | $7 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 3.5¢ | $0.57 | $7 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 3.5¢ | $0.57 | $7 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 3.7¢ | $0.59 | $7 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 3.7¢ | $0.59 | $7 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 3.8¢ | $0.61 | $7 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 3.8¢ | $0.61 | $7 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 3.8¢ | $0.62 | $7 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 3.8¢ | $0.62 | $7 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 3.9¢ | $0.62 | $7 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 3.9¢ | $0.62 | $7 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 3.9¢ | $0.62 | $7 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 3.9¢ | $0.63 | $8 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 4.0¢ | $0.64 | $8 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 4.1¢ | $0.65 | $8 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 4.1¢ | $0.66 | $8 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 4.1¢ | $0.66 | $8 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 4.1¢ | $0.67 | $8 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 4.2¢ | $0.68 | $8 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 4.4¢ | $0.72 | $9 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 4.6¢ | $0.73 | $9 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 4.7¢ | $0.75 | $9 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 4.7¢ | $0.76 | $9 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 5.2¢ | $0.83 | $10 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 5.3¢ | $0.85 | $10 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 5.3¢ | $0.85 | $10 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 5.9¢ | $0.96 | $11 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 6.0¢ | $0.96 | $11 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 6.0¢ | $0.97 | $12 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 6.7¢ | $1.07 | $13 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 6.7¢ | $1.08 | $13 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 7.0¢ | $1.13 | $14 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 7.1¢ | $1.14 | $14 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 7.3¢ | $1.18 | $14 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 7.3¢ | $1.18 | $14 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 7.6¢ | $1.22 | $15 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 8.2¢ | $1.33 | $16 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 11¢ | $1.75 | $21 |
How to cut the cost
- Use a solar panel and battery kit for low-use gates.
- Lubricate hinges and wheels so the motor runs less.
- Reduce photo-eye and accessory loads like always-on lights.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Runs off a small panel, no utility power needed.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric gate opener | 250 | 3 minutes a day | $0.72 | $9 |
| Garage door opener | 450 | 2 minutes a day | $0.60 | $7 |
| Security camera | 5 | 24 hours a day | $0.66 | $8 |
| Water pressure booster pump | 700 | 45 minutes a day | $2.87 | $34 |
| Septic aerator | 80 | 24 hours a day | $10.51 | $126 |
| Sump pump | 800 | 18 minutes a day | $1.31 | $16 |
| Sewage ejector pump | 1,000 | 15 minutes a day | $1.37 | $16 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run an electric gate opener per hour?
An electric gate opener drawing 250 watts uses 0.25 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 4.5¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 3.1¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 11¢.
How much does it cost to run an electric gate opener per month?
At typical use (3 minutes a day), an electric gate opener costs about $0.72 a month and $9 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does an electric gate opener use?
Most electric gate openers use 100 to 600 watts. Plugged in but off, it still draws about 5 W of standby power. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does an electric gate opener use?
About 0.13 kWh a day and 48 kWh a year at typical use (3 minutes a day).
Does an electric gate opener use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 48 kWh a year it's a small share (0.5%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run an electric gate opener or a garage door opener?
At typical use, an electric gate opener costs about $9 a year versus $7 for a garage door opener. So the garage door opener 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 an electric gate opener?
- Use a solar panel and battery kit for low-use gates.
- Lubricate hinges and wheels so the motor runs less.
- Reduce photo-eye and accessory loads like always-on lights.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.