How To Calculate Your Electricity Bill? – Power Bill Calculator

Electrical Technology

How to Calculate Electricity Charges – Electric Bill Calculator + Solved Examples

Calculating electricity bills and tariffs is generally straightforward for electrical engineering students, electricians and professionals. However, it can be confusing for non-technical individuals and layman persons who are trying to understand the charges mentioned in the electric bill from their electricity service providers.

Below is a simple example and step-by-step calculation of a electrical utility bill. By following this tutorial, you will be able to calculate your power bill with ease. Additionally, we’ve included a handy electrical energy and electricity bill calculator to simplify the process of estimating your power consumption and costs.

How To Calculate Your Electricity Bill Simple Calculation.

Example:

Suppose a consumer uses a 1000-watt load for 1 hour per day over the course of one month. Calculate the total electricity bill if the per-unit rate is 9 (in $, £, €, INR, Rs, DHR, Riyal, etc.). [Assume 1 month = 30 days].

Solution:

1 Unit = 1kWh.

Therefore, the total kWh = 1000 Watts × 24 Hrs. × 30 Days = 720000 … Watts / hour.

We want to convert it into electric units, where 1 Unit = 1kWh.

Hence, the total consumed units by user: = 720000 / 1000 … (k = kilo =1000).

Total Consumed Units = 720 kWh.

As the cost of per unit electricity is 9.

Therefore, the total cost of electricity bill = 720 units × 9 = 6480. (In $, £, €, ¥, INR “₹”, Rs, Peso, AED “Dirham”, SAR “Riyal” etc. or any other currency).

Note: If the unit cost of electricity is in cents or pennies (¢), pence or peso (p), etc., simply divide the overall cost by 100 to get the amount in USD ($), Pounds (£), or any other currency, etc.

That’s it. You have Done :)

Where is the Confusion?

A common question arises: why do we multiply the total consumed watts by 24, even though the daily usage is already specified? It’s important to clarify that the given rate is not a daily rate, but rather a per-unit electricity cost, where 1 unit = 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh) (also known as 1 B.T.U (Board of Trade Unit) in some regions).

For example, if you turn on a 1000-watt (1 kW) bulb for 1 hour, you consume 1 kWh, which equals 1 unit of electricity. If the rate per unit is 16.66¢, then the electricity cost for operating that bulb for one hour would be 16.66¢. So, 1000 watts × 1 hour = 1 kWh = 1 unit, and the bill would be calculated accordingly.

If the same light bulb remains ON for 24 hours, and the electricity rate is 16.66¢/kWh, the service provider will charge you ≈ $4.

Good to know: 1 Board of Trade Unit = 1 B.O.T Unit = 1kWh = 1000Wh = 36 x10⁵ … Joule or Watt-seconds = 3.6 MJ

Electricity Bill Calculator

Select Country:
Typical Appliance:
Power Usage:
Hours of Use per Day:		Hours / Day
1 Unit “kilowatt-hour (kWh)” Cost:

Energy Cost per Day:
Energy Cost per Month:
Energy Cost per Year:

Electric Utility Bill Calculation

Calculation of Electric Energy Consumption

The following formula is used for electrical energy consumption.

E = P × t … (Wh)

E = P × t ÷ 1000 … (kWh)

Consumed Energy = Energy Used in Watts × Time in Hours

Where:

E = Electrical Energy (Consumed in kWh)
P = Power in Watts
t = Time in hours per day

Wh (Watt-hour) is a small unit, so we divide the consumed energy on 1000 to get the value of energy in kWh instead of Wh.

Example: Consumed energy = 2kW × 5 Hours = 10kWh

Calculation of Cost of Electricity and Bill Estimation

The following formula can be used as electric bill estimator per hour in dollars or other local currency.

Cost of electricity per hour = Consumed Energy in kWh x Cost of 1 Unit electricity

Cost Per Hour = kWh x Unit Price

E = P × t … (Wh)

E = P x t ÷ 1000 … (kWh)

Energy Cost = Energy Used in kWh × Time in Hours

Example: Cost Per Hour = 5kWh × .50 Cents per unit = $2.5

Power Consumption of Typical Home Appliances in Watts

The following table shows the estimated value of wattage rating (in Watts) for different and common household devices, appliances and equipment.

Electrical Appliance	Power Wattage in Watts “W”
Fan	80
LED Light Bulb	25
AC – Air Conditioner	900
Refrigerator	250
Electric Heater	2000
Water Heater	4000
Hair Dryer	1500
Clothes Dryer	3000
Clothes Iron	1400
Dishwasher	1300
Electric Kettle	1700
Toaster Oven	1100
Microwave Oven	1000
Desktop Computer	150
Laptop Computer	100
TV – Television	120
Stereo Receiver	300
Vacuum Cleaner	1200
Washing Machine	1500
Coffee Machine	1000
Blender	500
Water Pump	800
Sewing Machine	100
Thankless Water Heater	15000

Isn’t it easy to calculate your electricity bill?

If you face any difficulties with your calculations or need additional information related to your specific electricity usage (whether for home, residential, or commercial purposes) feel free to ask in the comment section below. We’re here to help!

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