How much does it cost to run an electric snow blower?
An electric snow blower costs about 31¢ per hour, 6.6¢ a day, $1.99 a month and $8 a year at typical use (45 minutes a day, 2 days a week for 4 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Corded electric snow blowers draw 13-15 A (about 1,600-1,800 W); battery models use about 0.3-0.5 kWh per charge.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snow shovel (corded) | 1,200 | 22¢ | 4.6¢ | $1.41 | $6 |
| Single-stage corded | 1,700 | 31¢ | 6.6¢ | $1.99 | $8 |
At 45 minutes a day, 2 days a week for 4 months a year and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.49 | 8.7¢ | $2.66 | $32 |
| 2 hours | 0.97 | 17¢ | $5.32 | $64 |
| 4 hours | 1.94 | 35¢ | $10.64 | $128 |
| 8 hours | 3.89 | 70¢ | $21.28 | $255 |
| 12 hours | 5.83 | $1.05 | $31.92 | $383 |
| 24 hours | 11.66 | $2.10 | $63.83 | $766 |
Cost to run an electric snow blower in every state
The same electric snow blower costs $5 a year in North Dakota and $19 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¢ | 21¢ | $1.37 | $5 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 22¢ | $1.40 | $6 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 22¢ | $1.43 | $6 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 22¢ | $1.44 | $6 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 23¢ | $1.48 | $6 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 23¢ | $1.48 | $6 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 23¢ | $1.49 | $6 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 23¢ | $1.50 | $6 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 23¢ | $1.52 | $6 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 24¢ | $1.53 | $6 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 24¢ | $1.54 | $6 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 24¢ | $1.55 | $6 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 24¢ | $1.55 | $6 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 24¢ | $1.57 | $6 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 24¢ | $1.57 | $6 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 24¢ | $1.57 | $6 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 25¢ | $1.64 | $7 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 25¢ | $1.64 | $7 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 26¢ | $1.67 | $7 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 26¢ | $1.68 | $7 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 26¢ | $1.70 | $7 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 26¢ | $1.71 | $7 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 26¢ | $1.71 | $7 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 26¢ | $1.72 | $7 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 26¢ | $1.72 | $7 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 27¢ | $1.73 | $7 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 27¢ | $1.77 | $7 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 28¢ | $1.80 | $7 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 28¢ | $1.82 | $7 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 28¢ | $1.83 | $7 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 28¢ | $1.84 | $7 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 29¢ | $1.88 | $8 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 30¢ | $1.97 | $8 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 31¢ | $2.02 | $8 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 32¢ | $2.08 | $8 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 32¢ | $2.08 | $8 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 35¢ | $2.30 | $9 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 36¢ | $2.33 | $9 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 36¢ | $2.33 | $9 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 40¢ | $2.64 | $11 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 40¢ | $2.64 | $11 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 41¢ | $2.68 | $11 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 45¢ | $2.96 | $12 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 46¢ | $2.98 | $12 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 48¢ | $3.10 | $12 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 48¢ | $3.15 | $13 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 50¢ | $3.25 | $13 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 50¢ | $3.25 | $13 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 52¢ | $3.37 | $13 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 56¢ | $3.66 | $15 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 74¢ | $4.82 | $19 |
How to cut the cost
- Clear snow while it's fresh and light; heavy wet snow raises motor load.
- Spray the chute with nonstick spray to reduce clogs.
- Use a heavy-gauge cold-weather extension cord.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
No cord to manage and similar energy use per clearing.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric snow blower | 1,700 | 45 minutes a day, 2 days a week for 4 months a year | $1.99 | $8 |
| Engine block heater | 750 | 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 3 months a year | $23.47 | $70 |
| Leaf blower | 1,200 | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 6 months a year | $0.47 | $3 |
| Electric chainsaw | 1,800 | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 6 months a year | $0.70 | $4 |
| Pressure washer | 1,800 | 1 hour a day, 1 days a week for 6 months a year | $1.41 | $8 |
| Electric lawn mower (corded) | 1,400 | 45 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 7 months a year | $0.82 | $6 |
| String trimmer | 500 | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 7 months a year | $0.20 | $1 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run an electric snow blower per hour?
An electric snow blower drawing 1,700 watts uses 1.70 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 31¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 21¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 74¢.
How much does it cost to run an electric snow blower per month?
At typical use (45 minutes a day, 2 days a week for 4 months a year), an electric snow blower costs about $1.99 a month while in use and $8 a year over the 4 months it's typically used, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does an electric snow blower use?
Most electric snow blowers use 500 to 1,800 watts, depending on the setting (snow shovel (corded) 1,200 W, single-stage corded 1,700 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does an electric snow blower use?
About 0.36 kWh a day and 44 kWh a year at typical use (45 minutes a day, 2 days a week for 4 months a year).
Does an electric snow blower use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 44 kWh a year it's a small share (0.4%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run an electric snow blower or an engine block heater?
At typical use, an electric snow blower costs about $8 a year versus $70 for an engine block heater. So the electric snow blower is cheaper by about $62 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running an electric snow blower?
- Clear snow while it's fresh and light; heavy wet snow raises motor load.
- Spray the chute with nonstick spray to reduce clogs.
- Use a heavy-gauge cold-weather extension cord.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.