How much does it cost to run a vacuum cleaner?
A vacuum cleaner costs about 22¢ per hour, 3.1¢ a day, $0.94 a month and $11 a year at typical use (30 minutes a day, 2 days a week) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Corded upright vacuums draw about 1,000-1,400 W; an hour of vacuuming a week is roughly 60-75 kWh a year.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canister / lightweight | 800 | 14¢ | 2.1¢ | $0.63 | $8 |
| Upright | 1,200 | 22¢ | 3.1¢ | $0.94 | $11 |
At 30 minutes a day, 2 days a week and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.34 | 6.2¢ | $1.88 | $23 |
| 2 hours | 0.69 | 12¢ | $3.75 | $45 |
| 4 hours | 1.37 | 25¢ | $7.51 | $90 |
| 8 hours | 2.74 | 49¢ | $15.02 | $180 |
| 12 hours | 4.11 | 74¢ | $22.53 | $270 |
| 24 hours | 8.23 | $1.48 | $45.06 | $541 |
Cost to run a vacuum cleaner in every state
The same vacuum cleaner costs $8 a year in North Dakota and $27 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¢ | $0.64 | $8 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 15¢ | $0.66 | $8 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 15¢ | $0.67 | $8 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 16¢ | $0.68 | $8 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 16¢ | $0.70 | $8 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 16¢ | $0.70 | $8 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 16¢ | $0.70 | $8 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 16¢ | $0.71 | $8 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 16¢ | $0.71 | $9 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 17¢ | $0.72 | $9 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 17¢ | $0.73 | $9 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 17¢ | $0.73 | $9 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 17¢ | $0.73 | $9 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 17¢ | $0.74 | $9 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 17¢ | $0.74 | $9 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 17¢ | $0.74 | $9 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 18¢ | $0.77 | $9 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 18¢ | $0.77 | $9 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 18¢ | $0.79 | $9 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 18¢ | $0.79 | $9 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 18¢ | $0.80 | $10 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 18¢ | $0.80 | $10 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 18¢ | $0.80 | $10 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 19¢ | $0.81 | $10 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 19¢ | $0.81 | $10 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 19¢ | $0.82 | $10 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 19¢ | $0.83 | $10 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 19¢ | $0.85 | $10 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 20¢ | $0.86 | $10 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 20¢ | $0.86 | $10 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 20¢ | $0.87 | $10 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 20¢ | $0.88 | $11 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 21¢ | $0.93 | $11 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 22¢ | $0.95 | $11 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 22¢ | $0.98 | $12 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 23¢ | $0.98 | $12 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 25¢ | $1.08 | $13 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 25¢ | $1.10 | $13 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 25¢ | $1.10 | $13 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 29¢ | $1.24 | $15 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 29¢ | $1.24 | $15 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 29¢ | $1.26 | $15 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 32¢ | $1.39 | $17 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 32¢ | $1.40 | $17 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 34¢ | $1.46 | $18 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 34¢ | $1.48 | $18 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 35¢ | $1.53 | $18 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 35¢ | $1.53 | $18 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 37¢ | $1.59 | $19 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 40¢ | $1.72 | $21 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 52¢ | $2.27 | $27 |
How to cut the cost
- Empty the bin or change the bag at two-thirds full; full bags reduce suction and lengthen cleaning.
- Clean or replace filters every 3-6 months.
- Use the bare-floor setting (brush roll off) on hard floors.
- Check the brush roll for wrapped hair monthly.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Uses about 0.05-0.1 kWh per charge, a fraction of a corded upright for quick cleanups.
See options on AmazonDaily robot runs use about 20-40 Wh, reducing how often you need the full-size vacuum.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vacuum cleaner | 1,200 | 30 minutes a day, 2 days a week | $0.94 | $11 |
| Cordless stick vacuum | 30 | 3.5 hours a day, 3 days a week | $0.31 | $4 |
| Robot vacuum | 30 | 2 hours a day | $0.69 | $8 |
| Central vacuum | 1,600 | 30 minutes a day, 2 days a week | $1.25 | $15 |
| Carpet cleaner | 1,000 | 15 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.20 | $2 |
| Steam mop | 1,300 | 15 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.18 | $2 |
| Wet dry vacuum mop | 560 | 15 minutes a day, 2 days a week | $0.22 | $3 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a vacuum cleaner per hour?
A vacuum cleaner 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 vacuum cleaner per month?
At typical use (30 minutes a day, 2 days a week), a vacuum cleaner costs about $0.94 a month and $11 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 vacuum cleaner use?
Most vacuum cleaners use 500 to 1,500 watts, depending on the setting (canister / lightweight 800 W, upright 1,200 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a vacuum cleaner use?
About 0.17 kWh a day and 63 kWh a year at typical use (30 minutes a day, 2 days a week).
Does a vacuum cleaner use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 63 kWh a year it's a small share (0.6%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a vacuum cleaner or a cordless stick vacuum?
At typical use, a vacuum cleaner costs about $11 a year versus $4 for a cordless stick vacuum. So the cordless stick vacuum is cheaper by about $8 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a vacuum cleaner?
- Empty the bin or change the bag at two-thirds full; full bags reduce suction and lengthen cleaning.
- Clean or replace filters every 3-6 months.
- Use the bare-floor setting (brush roll off) on hard floors.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.