How much does it cost to run a shop vac?
A shop vac costs about 22¢ per hour, 0.8¢ a day, $0.23 a month and $3 a year at typical use (15 minutes a day, 1 days a week) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Shop vacs draw 8-12 A (about 1,000-1,400 W) while running; most are used only minutes a week.
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 hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.17 | 3.1¢ | $0.94 | $11 |
| 2 hours | 0.34 | 6.2¢ | $1.88 | $23 |
| 4 hours | 0.69 | 12¢ | $3.75 | $45 |
| 8 hours | 1.37 | 25¢ | $7.51 | $90 |
| 12 hours | 2.06 | 37¢ | $11.26 | $135 |
| 24 hours | 4.11 | 74¢ | $22.53 | $270 |
Cost to run a shop vac in every state
The same shop vac costs $2 a year in North Dakota and $7 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¢ | 15¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 15¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 15¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 16¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 16¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 16¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 16¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 16¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 16¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 17¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 17¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 17¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 17¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 17¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 17¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 17¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 18¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 18¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 18¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 18¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 18¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 18¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 18¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 19¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 19¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 19¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 19¢ | $0.21 | $2 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 19¢ | $0.21 | $3 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 20¢ | $0.21 | $3 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 20¢ | $0.21 | $3 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 20¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 20¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 21¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 22¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 22¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 23¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 25¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 25¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 25¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 29¢ | $0.31 | $4 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 29¢ | $0.31 | $4 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 29¢ | $0.32 | $4 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 32¢ | $0.35 | $4 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 32¢ | $0.35 | $4 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 34¢ | $0.37 | $4 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 34¢ | $0.37 | $4 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 35¢ | $0.38 | $5 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 35¢ | $0.38 | $5 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 37¢ | $0.40 | $5 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 40¢ | $0.43 | $5 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 52¢ | $0.57 | $7 |
How to cut the cost
- Empty the canister and clean the filter often; clogged filters waste suction and run time.
- Use a smaller-diameter hose only when needed; full-size hoses clean faster.
- Use a cyclone separator to keep the filter clean.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Keeps the filter clear so suction stays high.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shop vac | 1,200 | 15 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.23 | $3 |
| Air compressor | 1,500 | 1 hour a day, 1 days a week | $0.59 | $7 |
| Table saw | 1,800 | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.35 | $4 |
| Pressure washer | 1,800 | 1 hour a day, 1 days a week for 6 months a year | $1.41 | $8 |
| Circular saw | 1,500 | 15 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.29 | $4 |
| Welder | 2,400 | 1 hour a day, 1 days a week | $0.56 | $7 |
| Bench grinder | 400 | 15 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.08 | $1 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a shop vac per hour?
A shop vac drawing 1,200 watts uses 1.20 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 22¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 15¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 52¢.
How much does it cost to run a shop vac per month?
At typical use (15 minutes a day, 1 days a week), a shop vac costs about $0.23 a month and $3 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 shop vac use?
Most shop vacs use 600 to 1,500 watts. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a shop vac use?
About 0.04 kWh a day and 16 kWh a year at typical use (15 minutes a day, 1 days a week).
Does a shop vac use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 16 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 shop vac or an air compressor?
At typical use, a shop vac costs about $3 a year versus $7 for an air compressor. So the shop vac 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 shop vac?
- Empty the canister and clean the filter often; clogged filters waste suction and run time.
- Use a smaller-diameter hose only when needed; full-size hoses clean faster.
- Use a cyclone separator to keep the filter clean.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.