How much does it cost to run an electric kettle?
An electric kettle costs about 27¢ per hour, 2.7¢ a day, $0.82 a month and $10 a year at typical use (6 minutes a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. US electric kettles draw 1,200-1,500 W and boil 1 liter in about 4-5 minutes, using about 0.1 kWh per liter.
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Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 1.50 | 27¢ | $8.21 | $99 |
| 2 hours | 3.00 | 54¢ | $16.43 | $197 |
| 4 hours | 6.00 | $1.08 | $32.85 | $394 |
| 8 hours | 12.00 | $2.16 | $65.71 | $789 |
| 12 hours | 18.00 | $3.24 | $98.56 | $1,183 |
| 24 hours | 36.00 | $6.48 | $197 | $2,366 |
Cost to run an electric kettle in every state
The same electric kettle costs $7 a year in North Dakota and $24 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¢ | 18¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 19¢ | $0.58 | $7 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 19¢ | $0.59 | $7 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 19¢ | $0.59 | $7 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 20¢ | $0.61 | $7 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 20¢ | $0.61 | $7 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 20¢ | $0.61 | $7 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 20¢ | $0.62 | $7 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 21¢ | $0.63 | $8 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 21¢ | $0.63 | $8 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 21¢ | $0.64 | $8 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 21¢ | $0.64 | $8 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 21¢ | $0.64 | $8 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 21¢ | $0.64 | $8 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 21¢ | $0.65 | $8 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 21¢ | $0.65 | $8 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 22¢ | $0.67 | $8 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 22¢ | $0.67 | $8 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 23¢ | $0.69 | $8 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 23¢ | $0.69 | $8 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 23¢ | $0.70 | $8 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 23¢ | $0.70 | $8 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 23¢ | $0.70 | $8 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 23¢ | $0.71 | $8 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 23¢ | $0.71 | $8 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 23¢ | $0.71 | $9 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 24¢ | $0.73 | $9 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 24¢ | $0.74 | $9 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 25¢ | $0.75 | $9 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 25¢ | $0.75 | $9 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 25¢ | $0.76 | $9 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 25¢ | $0.77 | $9 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 27¢ | $0.81 | $10 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 27¢ | $0.83 | $10 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 28¢ | $0.86 | $10 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 28¢ | $0.86 | $10 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 31¢ | $0.95 | $11 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 32¢ | $0.96 | $12 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 32¢ | $0.96 | $12 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 36¢ | $1.09 | $13 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 36¢ | $1.09 | $13 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 36¢ | $1.10 | $13 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 40¢ | $1.22 | $15 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 40¢ | $1.23 | $15 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 42¢ | $1.28 | $15 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 43¢ | $1.30 | $16 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 44¢ | $1.34 | $16 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 44¢ | $1.34 | $16 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 46¢ | $1.39 | $17 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 49¢ | $1.51 | $18 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 65¢ | $1.99 | $24 |
How to cut the cost
- Boil only the water you need; boiling a full 1.7 L for one cup wastes 80% of the energy.
- Use variable-temperature settings: 175°F for green tea instead of a full boil.
- Descale monthly in hard-water areas; scale slows heating.
- Use the kettle instead of a stovetop burner to boil water for pasta, then transfer it.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Heats to the exact temperature needed instead of always boiling.
See options on AmazonKeeps boiled water hot for hours so you don't reboil.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric kettle | 1,500 | 6 minutes a day | $0.82 | $10 |
| Electric stove burner | 1,500 | 1 hour a day | $4.93 | $59 |
| Drip coffee maker | 1,000 | 30 minutes a day | $1.22 | $15 |
| Instant hot water dispenser | 750 | 400 kWh a year | $6.00 | $72 |
| Microwave | 1,200 | 15 minutes a day | $1.90 | $23 |
| Air fryer | 1,500 | 24 minutes a day | $1.97 | $24 |
| Electric griddle | 1,500 | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.35 | $4 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run an electric kettle per hour?
An electric kettle drawing 1,500 watts uses 1.50 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 27¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 18¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 65¢.
How much does it cost to run an electric kettle per month?
At typical use (6 minutes a day), an electric kettle costs about $0.82 a month and $10 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 kettle use?
Most electric kettles use 1,000 to 1,500 watts. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does an electric kettle use?
About 0.15 kWh a day and 55 kWh a year at typical use (6 minutes a day).
Does an electric kettle use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 55 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 kettle or an electric stove burner?
At typical use, an electric kettle costs about $10 a year versus $59 for an electric stove burner. So the electric kettle is cheaper by about $49 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running an electric kettle?
- Boil only the water you need; boiling a full 1.7 L for one cup wastes 80% of the energy.
- Use variable-temperature settings: 175°F for green tea instead of a full boil.
- Descale monthly in hard-water areas; scale slows heating.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.