How Many kWh Does a Electric Tank Water Heater Use?
Electric Tank Water Heater energy cost calculator — see your exact daily, monthly, and yearly electricity cost.
US national average. Edit for your local rate.
Daily Energy Use
13.50
kWh / day
Monthly Cost
$76.26
Yearly Cost
$927.85
Electric Tank Water Heater — Cost Breakdown
| Period | kWh Used | Cost ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Per Hour | 4.5000 | $0.8473 |
| Per Day | 13.50 | $2.54 |
| Per Month (30 days) | 405.00 | $76.26 |
| Per Year (365 days) | 4927.50 | $927.85 |
Running an electric water heater for 3 hours uses about the same energy as running a central AC for nearly 4 hours.
3 Ways to Cut Your Electric Tank Water Heater Energy Bill
- 🌱
Lower the thermostat from 140°F to 120°F — this alone saves 6–10% on water heating costs with no noticeable comfort loss.
- 💡
Insulate the tank with a water heater blanket (R-24 or higher) to reduce standby heat loss by 25–45%.
- ⚡
Install heat traps on the inlet and outlet pipes to prevent convective heat loss when not drawing water.
Electric tank water heaters use large resistance elements with no motor, so they draw steady, high wattage with no surge.