How much does it cost to run a paper shredder?
A paper shredder costs about 3.6¢ per hour, 0.3¢ a day, $0.10 a month and $1 a year at typical use (6 minutes a day, 2 days a week) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Home shredders draw 150-300 W while running but are used minutes a week, so they cost well under $5 a year.
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Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.07 | 1.2¢ | $0.38 | $5 |
| 2 hours | 0.13 | 2.3¢ | $0.69 | $8 |
| 4 hours | 0.24 | 4.3¢ | $1.31 | $16 |
| 8 hours | 0.47 | 8.4¢ | $2.56 | $31 |
| 12 hours | 0.70 | 13¢ | $3.81 | $46 |
| 24 hours | 1.38 | 25¢ | $7.56 | $91 |
Cost to run a paper shredder in every state
The same paper shredder costs $1 a year in North Dakota and $3 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¢ | 2.5¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 2.5¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 2.6¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 2.6¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 2.7¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 2.7¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 2.7¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 2.7¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 2.7¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 2.8¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 2.8¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 2.8¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 2.8¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 2.8¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 2.8¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 2.8¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 3.0¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 3.0¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 3.0¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 3.0¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 3.1¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 3.1¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 3.1¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 3.1¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 3.1¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 3.1¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 3.2¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 3.2¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 3.3¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 3.3¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 3.3¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 3.4¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 3.6¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 3.6¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 3.7¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 3.8¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 4.1¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 4.2¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 4.2¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 4.8¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 4.8¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 4.8¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 5.3¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 5.4¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 5.6¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 5.7¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 5.9¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 5.9¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 6.1¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 6.6¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 8.7¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
How to cut the cost
- Shred in batches rather than a sheet at a time.
- Unplug it between uses; some models draw 0.5-1 W idle.
- Oil cross-cut blades every few full bins to reduce motor load.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Keeps blades lubricated so the motor draws less and lasts longer.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper shredder | 200 | 6 minutes a day, 2 days a week | $0.10 | $1 |
| Laser printer | 500 | 6 minutes a day, 5 days a week | $0.46 | $5 |
| Inkjet printer | 15 | 6 minutes a day, 3 days a week | $0.20 | $2 |
| 3D printer | 120 | 4 hours a day, 3 days a week | $1.74 | $21 |
| Starlink | 55 | 24 hours a day | $7.23 | $87 |
| NAS | 35 | 24 hours a day | $4.60 | $55 |
| Mesh Wi-Fi system | 24 | 24 hours a day | $3.15 | $38 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a paper shredder per hour?
A paper shredder drawing 200 watts uses 0.20 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 3.6¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 2.5¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 8.7¢.
How much does it cost to run a paper shredder per month?
At typical use (6 minutes a day, 2 days a week), a paper shredder costs about $0.10 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 paper shredder use?
Most paper shredders use 100 to 500 watts. Plugged in but off, it still draws about 0.5 W of standby power. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a paper shredder use?
About 0.02 kWh a day and 6 kWh a year at typical use (6 minutes a day, 2 days a week).
Does a paper shredder use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 6 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 paper shredder or a laser printer?
At typical use, a paper shredder costs about $1 a year versus $5 for a laser printer. So the paper shredder is cheaper by about $4 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a paper shredder?
- Shred in batches rather than a sheet at a time.
- Unplug it between uses; some models draw 0.5-1 W idle.
- Oil cross-cut blades every few full bins to reduce motor load.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.