How much does it cost to run a garbage disposal?
A garbage disposal costs about 9.0¢ per hour, 0.3¢ a day, $0.08 a month and $1 a year at typical use (2 minutes a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. A 1/2 hp disposal draws about 500 W but runs only 1-2 minutes a day, so its electricity cost is a few dollars a year.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/3 hp | 400 | 7.2¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| 1/2 hp | 500 | 9.0¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| 3/4-1 hp | 800 | 14¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
At 2 minutes a day and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.50 | 9.0¢ | $2.74 | $33 |
| 2 hours | 1.00 | 18¢ | $5.48 | $66 |
| 4 hours | 2.00 | 36¢ | $10.95 | $131 |
| 8 hours | 4.00 | 72¢ | $21.90 | $263 |
| 12 hours | 6.00 | $1.08 | $32.85 | $394 |
| 24 hours | 12.00 | $2.16 | $65.71 | $789 |
Cost to run a garbage disposal in every state
The same garbage disposal costs $1 a year in North Dakota and $2 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¢ | 6.2¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 6.3¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 6.4¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 6.5¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 6.7¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 6.7¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 6.7¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 6.8¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 6.8¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 6.9¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 7.0¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 7.0¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 7.0¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 7.1¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 7.1¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 7.1¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 7.4¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 7.4¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 7.5¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 7.6¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 7.7¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 7.7¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 7.7¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 7.7¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 7.8¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 7.8¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 8.0¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 8.1¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 8.2¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 8.2¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 8.3¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 8.5¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 8.9¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 9.1¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 9.4¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 9.4¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 10¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 11¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 11¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 12¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 12¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 12¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 13¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 13¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 14¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 14¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 15¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 15¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 15¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 16¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 22¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
How to cut the cost
- Run cold water during and for 15 seconds after grinding.
- Compost scraps; that cuts disposal run time and water use.
- Feed waste gradually rather than packing the chamber.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Keeps food scraps out of the disposal and the water treatment system.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garbage disposal | 500 | 2 minutes a day | $0.08 | $1 |
| Dishwasher | 1,800 | 4 cycles a week | $3.82 | $46 |
| Trash compactor | 400 | 1 minutes a day | $0.04 | $1 |
| Instant hot water dispenser | 750 | 400 kWh a year | $6.00 | $72 |
| Warming drawer | 450 | 1 hour a day, 2 days a week | $0.28 | $3 |
| Rice cooker | 600 | 45 minutes a day, 4 days a week | $0.97 | $12 |
| Food processor | 600 | 6 minutes a day, 2 days a week | $0.09 | $1 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a garbage disposal per hour?
A garbage disposal drawing 500 watts uses 0.50 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 9.0¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 6.2¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 22¢.
How much does it cost to run a garbage disposal per month?
At typical use (2 minutes a day), a garbage disposal costs about $0.08 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 garbage disposal use?
Most garbage disposals use 300 to 1,000 watts, depending on the setting (1/3 hp 400 W, 1/2 hp 500 W, 3/4-1 hp 800 W). Starting surge can reach 1,500 W. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a garbage disposal use?
About 0.01 kWh a day and 5 kWh a year at typical use (2 minutes a day).
Does a garbage disposal use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 5 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 garbage disposal or a dishwasher?
At typical use, a garbage disposal costs about $1 a year versus $46 for a dishwasher. So the garbage disposal is cheaper by about $45 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a garbage disposal?
- Run cold water during and for 15 seconds after grinding.
- Compost scraps; that cuts disposal run time and water use.
- Feed waste gradually rather than packing the chamber.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.