How much does it cost to run a water dispenser?
A water dispenser costs about 20¢ a day, $6.00 a month and $72 a year at typical use (400 kWh a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. A hot-and-cold water cooler keeps a reservoir hot (about 500 W heater) and cold (about 100 W compressor) around the clock; standard units use 300-500 kWh a year, ENERGY STAR models about 120-300.
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Cost to run a water dispenser in every state
The same water dispenser costs $49 a year in North Dakota and $174 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | $4.11 | $49 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | $4.22 | $51 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | $4.29 | $51 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | $4.33 | $52 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | $4.44 | $53 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | $4.45 | $53 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | $4.48 | $54 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | $4.52 | $54 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | $4.57 | $55 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | $4.61 | $55 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | $4.64 | $56 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | $4.65 | $56 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | $4.67 | $56 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | $4.71 | $56 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | $4.71 | $57 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | $4.73 | $57 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | $4.92 | $59 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | $4.92 | $59 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | $5.03 | $60 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | $5.04 | $60 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | $5.11 | $61 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | $5.13 | $62 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | $5.13 | $62 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | $5.16 | $62 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | $5.17 | $62 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | $5.21 | $63 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | $5.32 | $64 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | $5.41 | $65 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | $5.48 | $66 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | $5.49 | $66 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | $5.53 | $66 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | $5.65 | $68 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | $5.93 | $71 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | $6.08 | $73 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | $6.25 | $75 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | $6.26 | $75 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | $6.90 | $83 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | $7.01 | $84 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | $7.02 | $84 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | $7.93 | $95 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | $7.93 | $95 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | $8.07 | $97 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | $8.89 | $107 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | $8.95 | $107 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | $9.33 | $112 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | $9.46 | $114 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | $9.76 | $117 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | $9.77 | $117 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | $10.14 | $122 |
| California | 32.99¢ | $11.00 | $132 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | $14.50 | $174 |
How to cut the cost
- Switch off the hot water tank switch on the back if you don't use hot water; it can be half the cooler's energy.
- Turn the unit off over weekends or vacations.
- Keep it away from heat sources and out of direct sun.
- Clean the rear condenser coils every 6 months.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Certified hot/cold coolers use about 30% less energy thanks to better tank insulation.
See options on AmazonSkipping the always-hot tank cuts energy use by roughly half.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water dispenser | 100 | 400 kWh a year | $6.00 | $72 |
| Mini fridge | 80 | 270 kWh a year | $4.05 | $49 |
| Electric kettle | 1,500 | 6 minutes a day | $0.82 | $10 |
| Instant hot water dispenser | 750 | 400 kWh a year | $6.00 | $72 |
| Beverage cooler | 100 | 350 kWh a year | $5.25 | $63 |
| Chest freezer | 100 | 250 kWh a year | $3.75 | $45 |
| Kegerator | 100 | 350 kWh a year | $5.25 | $63 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a water dispenser per hour?
A water dispenser is usually measured per year rather than per hour. It uses about 400 kWh a year, which works out to 20¢ a day.
How much does it cost to run a water dispenser per month?
At typical use (400 kWh a year), a water dispenser costs about $6.00 a month and $72 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 water dispenser use?
Most water dispensers use 70 to 600 watts. Plugged in but off, it still draws about 1 W of standby power. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a water dispenser use?
About 1.10 kWh a day and 400 kWh a year at typical use (400 kWh a year).
Does a water dispenser use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: 400 kWh a year is about 4% of the average U.S. home's yearly use.
Is it cheaper to run a water dispenser or a mini fridge?
At typical use, a water dispenser costs about $72 a year versus $49 for a mini fridge. So the mini fridge is cheaper by about $23 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a water dispenser?
- Switch off the hot water tank switch on the back if you don't use hot water; it can be half the cooler's energy.
- Turn the unit off over weekends or vacations.
- Keep it away from heat sources and out of direct sun.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.