How much does it cost to run an electric water heater?
An electric water heater costs about $2.22 a day, $67.46 a month and $810 a year at typical use (4,500 kWh a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. A 40-50 gallon electric tank serving 3-4 people typically uses 4,000-5,000 kWh a year, including 400-600 kWh of standby heat loss. Water heating is often the second-largest electric load in a home.
Calculate your cost
Add as many devices as you like to compare them side by side. Search again to add another, or use Duplicate to compare two settings.
Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,000 W element | 3,000 | $1.46 | $44.35 | $532 |
| 4,500 W element | 4,500 | $2.19 | $66.53 | $798 |
| 5,500 W element | 5,500 | $2.67 | $81.31 | $976 |
At 4,500 kWh a year and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost to run an electric water heater in every state
The same electric water heater costs $554 a year in North Dakota and $1,958 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | $46.20 | $554 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | $47.44 | $569 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | $48.22 | $579 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | $48.71 | $585 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | $49.95 | $599 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | $50.10 | $601 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | $50.36 | $604 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | $50.85 | $610 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | $51.37 | $616 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | $51.90 | $623 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | $52.20 | $626 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | $52.31 | $628 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | $52.54 | $630 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | $52.95 | $635 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | $52.99 | $636 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | $53.25 | $639 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | $55.39 | $665 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | $55.39 | $665 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | $56.59 | $679 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | $56.70 | $680 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | $57.45 | $689 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | $57.71 | $693 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | $57.75 | $693 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | $58.05 | $697 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | $58.13 | $698 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | $58.65 | $704 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | $59.85 | $718 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | $60.82 | $730 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | $61.65 | $740 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | $61.80 | $742 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | $62.17 | $746 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | $63.53 | $762 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | $66.71 | $801 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | $68.44 | $821 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | $70.27 | $843 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | $70.46 | $846 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | $77.63 | $932 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | $78.86 | $946 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | $78.94 | $947 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | $89.18 | $1,070 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | $89.25 | $1,071 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | $90.75 | $1,089 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | $100 | $1,200 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | $101 | $1,208 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | $105 | $1,260 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | $106 | $1,278 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | $110 | $1,317 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | $110 | $1,319 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | $114 | $1,369 |
| California | 32.99¢ | $124 | $1,485 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | $163 | $1,958 |
Most efficient electric water heater models
The lowest-energy ENERGY STAR certified models in the most common size (50.2–67.9 gal), out of 609 certified models. In this class, the best model costs $160 a year to run. The least efficient costs $262. Same size, $103 a year apart.
| Brand | Model | Tank | kWh/yr | Cost/yr | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friedrich | PROH65 T2 FD400-15 | 59 | 887 | $160 | Amazon |
| Rheem | PROPH65 T2 RH375-15 +2 variants | 59 | 887 | $160 | Amazon |
| Richmond | 10E65-HP515 +2 variants | 59 | 887 | $160 | Amazon |
| Ruud | PROUH65 T2 RU375-15 +1 variant | 59 | 887 | $160 | Amazon |
| Smart Solar | SSG2-ES 65 | 65 | 893 | $161 | Amazon |
| Friedrich | PROH65 T2 FD310BM +3 variants | 59 | 900 | $162 | Amazon |
| Rheem | PRO H65 T2 RH310BM +3 variants | 59 | 900 | $162 | Amazon |
| Ruud | PRO H65 T2 RU310BM +3 variants | 59 | 900 | $162 | Amazon |
| Friedrich | PROH65 T0 FD120-M +1 variant | 59 | 971 | $175 | Amazon |
| Rheem | PROPH65 T0 RH120-M +3 variants | 59 | 971 | $175 | Amazon |
Yearly cost from the official annual energy use and 17.99¢/kWh. Look up any model in the calculator with “Look up my exact model”. Source: ENERGY STAR, updated 2026-10-21. Amazon links search for the exact model; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
How to cut the cost
- Set the thermostat to 120°F instead of the common factory 140°F; this cuts standby loss and use by 4-10%.
- Install low-flow showerheads (1.5-1.8 gpm); showers are the largest hot water use.
- Wash clothes in cold water; about 90% of a washer's energy is heating water.
- Insulate the first 6 ft of hot and cold pipes and add a water heater blanket if the tank is older than 2004.
- Add a timer or smart controller to avoid heating water during peak-rate hours on time-of-use plans.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Uses 60-70% less electricity, saving roughly 2,500-3,000 kWh a year.
See options on AmazonCuts shower hot water use by 25-40%.
See options on AmazonPrevents heating water during expensive peak hours and while away.
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 water heater | 4,500 | 4,500 kWh a year | $67.46 | $810 |
| Heat pump water heater | 450 | 1,300 kWh a year | $19.49 | $234 |
| Tankless electric water heater | 24,000 | 3,700 kWh a year | $55.47 | $666 |
| Point-of-use water heater | 3,500 | 15 minutes a day | $4.79 | $57 |
| Washing machine | 500 | 6 loads a week | $4.82 | $58 |
| Hot water recirculation pump | 25 | 24 hours a day | $3.29 | $39 |
| Mini tank water heater | 1,440 | 450 kWh a year | $6.75 | $81 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run an electric water heater per hour?
An electric water heater is usually measured per year rather than per hour. It uses about 4,500 kWh a year, which works out to $2.22 a day.
How much does it cost to run an electric water heater per month?
At typical use (4,500 kWh a year), an electric water heater costs about $67.46 a month and $810 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 water heater use?
Most electric water heaters use 3,000 to 5,500 watts, depending on the setting (3,000 w element 3,000 W, 4,500 w element 4,500 W, 5,500 w element 5,500 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does an electric water heater use?
About 12.32 kWh a day and 4,500 kWh a year at typical use (4,500 kWh a year).
Does an electric water heater use a lot of electricity?
Yes. At 4,500 kWh a year it's one of the bigger loads in a home, about 43% of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh a year.
Is it cheaper to run an electric water heater or a heat pump water heater?
At typical use, an electric water heater costs about $810 a year versus $234 for a heat pump water heater. So the heat pump water heater is cheaper by about $576 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running an electric water heater?
- Set the thermostat to 120°F instead of the common factory 140°F; this cuts standby loss and use by 4-10%.
- Install low-flow showerheads (1.5-1.8 gpm); showers are the largest hot water use.
- Wash clothes in cold water; about 90% of a washer's energy is heating water.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.