How Much Electricity Does a Water Heater Use? (2026)
A typical water heater costs
about $17 a month
$203 a year, at the US average of 18.0¢ per kWh
The sticker on the box says $157. It is worked out at one national rate, so it moves once you choose your state.
Averaged across 510 water heaters on sale in the US. An estimate at your state's average rate — not a guarantee of your bill.
How much electricity a water heater uses
The average one uses 1123 kWh a year, which costs $203 a year at the US average rate. Averaged across 510 water heaters on sale in the US, running from 681 to 1741 kWh. The yearly figure assumes a hot water draw of 10, 38, 55 or 84 gallons a day, set by the heater's first-hour rating — what the federal test procedure uses.
Cheapest to run
- 1Eco-Logical OMNI-50HP1-1A46 gallons$123a year
- 2GE Profile PF40S10FPY0140 gallons$131a year
- 3Eco-Logical OMNI-50HP2-1A46 gallons$139a year
- 4GE Profile PH40S10BPY0140 gallons$139a year
- 5Friedrich PROH40 T0 FD120-M36 gallons$141a year
- 6Friedrich PROH40 T0 FD120-MSO36 gallons$141a year
- 7Rheem PROPH40 T0 RH120-M36 gallons$141a year
- 8Rheem PROPH40 T0 RH120-MSO36 gallons$141a year
- 9Rheem XE40T10HM00U036 gallons$141a year
- 10Rheem XE40T10HMS00U036 gallons$141a year
- 11Richmond 10E40-HP120M36 gallons$141a year
- 12Richmond 10E40-HP120MS36 gallons$141a year
- 13Ruud PROUH40 T0 RU120-M36 gallons$141a year
- 14Ruud PROUH40 T0 RU120-MSO36 gallons$141a year
A year at the U.S. average rate. See the least efficient water heaters