How much does it cost to run a trash compactor?
A trash compactor costs about 7.2¢ per hour, 0.1¢ a day, $0.04 a month and $1 a year at typical use (1 minutes a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Kitchen trash compactors use a 1/3 hp motor drawing about 400 W for 30-40 seconds per compaction, typically under 5 kWh 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 | 0.40 | 7.2¢ | $2.19 | $26 |
| 2 hours | 0.80 | 14¢ | $4.38 | $53 |
| 4 hours | 1.60 | 29¢ | $8.76 | $105 |
| 8 hours | 3.20 | 58¢ | $17.52 | $210 |
| 12 hours | 4.80 | 86¢ | $26.28 | $315 |
| 24 hours | 9.60 | $1.73 | $52.57 | $631 |
Cost to run a trash compactor in every state
The same trash compactor costs $0 a year in North Dakota and $1 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¢ | 4.9¢ | $0.03 | $0 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 5.1¢ | $0.03 | $0 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 5.1¢ | $0.03 | $0 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 5.2¢ | $0.03 | $0 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 5.3¢ | $0.03 | $0 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 5.3¢ | $0.03 | $0 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 5.4¢ | $0.03 | $0 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 5.4¢ | $0.03 | $0 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 5.5¢ | $0.03 | $0 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 5.5¢ | $0.03 | $0 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 5.6¢ | $0.03 | $0 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 5.6¢ | $0.03 | $0 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 5.6¢ | $0.03 | $0 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 5.6¢ | $0.03 | $0 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 5.7¢ | $0.03 | $0 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 5.7¢ | $0.03 | $0 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 5.9¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 5.9¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 6.0¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 6.0¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 6.1¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 6.2¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 6.2¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 6.2¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 6.2¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 6.3¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 6.4¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 6.5¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 6.6¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 6.6¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 6.6¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 6.8¢ | $0.04 | $0 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 7.1¢ | $0.04 | $1 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 7.3¢ | $0.04 | $1 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 7.5¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 7.5¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 8.3¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 8.4¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 8.4¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 9.5¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 9.5¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 9.7¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 11¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 11¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 11¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 11¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 12¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 12¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 12¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 13¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 17¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
How to cut the cost
- Compact only when the bag is half full or more.
- Use it to cut trash pickups or bag use, which is where the savings are.
- Turn off the odor-control fan or deodorizer light if your model has one running continuously.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Heavy-duty bags avoid tears and repeat cycles.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trash compactor | 400 | 1 minutes a day | $0.04 | $1 |
| Garbage disposal | 500 | 2 minutes a day | $0.08 | $1 |
| Dishwasher | 1,800 | 4 cycles a week | $3.82 | $46 |
| Frozen drink maker | 400 | 1.5 hours a day, 1 days a week | $0.33 | $4 |
| Warming drawer | 450 | 1 hour a day, 2 days a week | $0.28 | $3 |
| Stand mixer | 325 | 15 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.06 | $1 |
| Rice cooker | 600 | 45 minutes a day, 4 days a week | $0.97 | $12 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a trash compactor per hour?
A trash compactor drawing 400 watts uses 0.40 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 7.2¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 4.9¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 17¢.
How much does it cost to run a trash compactor per month?
At typical use (1 minutes a day), a trash compactor costs about $0.04 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 trash compactor use?
Most trash compactors use 300 to 600 watts. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a trash compactor use?
About 0.01 kWh a day and 3 kWh a year at typical use (1 minutes a day).
Does a trash compactor use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 3 kWh a year it's a small share (0.0%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a trash compactor or a garbage disposal?
At typical use, a trash compactor costs about $1 a year versus $1 for a garbage disposal. So the trash compactor is cheaper by about $0 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a trash compactor?
- Compact only when the bag is half full or more.
- Use it to cut trash pickups or bag use, which is where the savings are.
- Turn off the odor-control fan or deodorizer light if your model has one running continuously.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.