How much does it cost to run a sous vide?
A sous vide costs about 4.5¢ per hour, 1.9¢ a day, $0.59 a month and $7 a year at typical use (3 hours a day, 1 days a week) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Sous vide circulators draw 800-1,200 W while heating water, then 100-300 W to hold temperature. Insulation makes a large difference.
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Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.04 | 0.6¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| 2 hours | 0.07 | 1.3¢ | $0.39 | $5 |
| 4 hours | 0.14 | 2.6¢ | $0.78 | $9 |
| 8 hours | 0.29 | 5.1¢ | $1.56 | $19 |
| 12 hours | 0.43 | 7.7¢ | $2.35 | $28 |
| 24 hours | 0.86 | 15¢ | $4.69 | $56 |
Cost to run a sous vide in every state
The same sous vide costs $5 a year in North Dakota and $17 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¢ | 3.1¢ | $0.40 | $5 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 3.2¢ | $0.41 | $5 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 3.2¢ | $0.42 | $5 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 3.2¢ | $0.42 | $5 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 3.3¢ | $0.43 | $5 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 3.3¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 3.4¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 3.4¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 3.4¢ | $0.45 | $5 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 3.5¢ | $0.45 | $5 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 3.5¢ | $0.45 | $5 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 3.5¢ | $0.45 | $5 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 3.5¢ | $0.46 | $5 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 3.5¢ | $0.46 | $6 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 3.5¢ | $0.46 | $6 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 3.5¢ | $0.46 | $6 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 3.7¢ | $0.48 | $6 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 3.7¢ | $0.48 | $6 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 3.8¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 3.8¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 3.8¢ | $0.50 | $6 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 3.8¢ | $0.50 | $6 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 3.9¢ | $0.50 | $6 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 3.9¢ | $0.50 | $6 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 3.9¢ | $0.51 | $6 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 3.9¢ | $0.51 | $6 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 4.0¢ | $0.52 | $6 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 4.1¢ | $0.53 | $6 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 4.1¢ | $0.54 | $6 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 4.1¢ | $0.54 | $6 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 4.1¢ | $0.54 | $6 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 4.2¢ | $0.55 | $7 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 4.4¢ | $0.58 | $7 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 4.6¢ | $0.60 | $7 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 4.7¢ | $0.61 | $7 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 4.7¢ | $0.61 | $7 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 5.2¢ | $0.68 | $8 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 5.3¢ | $0.69 | $8 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 5.3¢ | $0.69 | $8 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 5.9¢ | $0.78 | $9 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 6.0¢ | $0.78 | $9 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 6.0¢ | $0.79 | $9 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 6.7¢ | $0.87 | $10 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 6.7¢ | $0.88 | $11 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 7.0¢ | $0.91 | $11 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 7.1¢ | $0.93 | $11 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 7.3¢ | $0.95 | $11 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 7.3¢ | $0.96 | $11 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 7.6¢ | $0.99 | $12 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 8.2¢ | $1.08 | $13 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 11¢ | $1.42 | $17 |
How to cut the cost
- Cover the container with a lid or ping-pong balls; it can cut holding energy by 50% or more.
- Use an insulated cooler as the water bath for long cooks.
- Start with hot tap water to shorten heat-up.
- Use the smallest container that fits the food.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Reduces heat loss so the circulator cycles less over long cooks.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sous vide | 1,000 | 3 hours a day, 1 days a week | $0.59 | $7 |
| Slow cooker | 200 | 8 hours a day, 2 days a week | $2.00 | $24 |
| Instant Pot | 1,000 | 45 minutes a day, 3 days a week | $0.83 | $10 |
| Electric oven | 3,000 | 3 hour of bakings a week | $3.75 | $45 |
| Hot plate | 1,000 | 45 minutes a day | $2.46 | $30 |
| Drip coffee maker | 1,000 | 30 minutes a day | $1.22 | $15 |
| Waffle maker | 1,000 | 15 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.12 | $1 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a sous vide per hour?
A sous vide drawing 1,000 watts uses 0.25 kWh per hour while running (25% duty cycle). At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 4.5¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 3.1¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 11¢.
How much does it cost to run a sous vide per month?
At typical use (3 hours a day, 1 days a week), a sous vide costs about $0.59 a month and $7 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 sous vide use?
Most sous vides use 800 to 1,200 watts. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a sous vide use?
About 0.11 kWh a day and 39 kWh a year at typical use (3 hours a day, 1 days a week).
Does a sous vide use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 39 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 a sous vide or a slow cooker?
At typical use, a sous vide costs about $7 a year versus $24 for a slow cooker. So the sous vide is cheaper by about $17 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a sous vide?
- Cover the container with a lid or ping-pong balls; it can cut holding energy by 50% or more.
- Use an insulated cooler as the water bath for long cooks.
- Start with hot tap water to shorten heat-up.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.