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How much does it cost to run electric water heater

3 hours is approximate daily run-time for water heater [depending on usage and temperature of incoming water]
Bath uses 12-15 Gallons hot water <> shower uses 5-9 Gallons hot water > Hot water use chart

Example
5500 Watts x 3 hours = 16,500 watt-hours or 16.5 Kwh per day
For a full 30-day month <=> 30 days x 16.5 Kwh per day = 495 Kwh per month for water heater electricity
Calculate cost <=> 495 Kwh x $.10 per Kwh = $49.50 + tax
Small water heater3 hours a day @ 10¢ per Kwh + tax
5500 Watt tank = $49.50 per month
4500 Watt tank = $40.50 per month
3500 Watt tank = $31.50 per month
1500 Watt tank = $13.50 per month		3 hours a day @ 12¢ per Kwh + tax
5500 Watt tank = $59.40 per month
4500 Watt tank = $48.60 per month
3500 Watt tank = $37.80 per month
1500 Watt tank = $16.20 per month		3 hours a day @ 14¢ per Kwh + tax
5500 Watt tank = $69.30 per month
4500 Watt tank = $56.70 per month
3500 Watt tank = $44.10 per month
1500 Watt tank = $18.90 per month



 How to find wattage of your tank
1. Find label on side of water heater
2. -or- Find owners manual -or- Google brand and model number of heater to find .pdf of manual
3. Voltage & wattage also written on end of each element see example

See label image		 Look for watts on label
1. Watt rating of element(s) is usually 1500, 3500, 4500, or 5500 Watts
2. Element wattage ranges from 600 to 6000
Tank wattage
Larger
If water heater has 2 elements and both elements are 5500, then overall tank Wattage is 5500
If both elements are 3500, then tank wattage is 3500

+++ This is because both elements are never turned on at same time
When replacing elements, use same wattage shown on tank label

Smaller water heaters are cheaper to run if family can conserve Size chart
Read 9 ways to save with a water heater
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See inside main breaker box
 What is a Kwh or Kilowatt-hour?
Kwh is the standard unit for billing used by electric company <=> the cost varies from 10¢ - 14¢ per Kwh
1 Kwh = 1000 watt-hours of electricity
Figure a 100 Watt light bulb turned on for 10 hours <=> 100 Watts x 10 hours = 1000 watt-hours or 1 Kwh
Figure a 40 Watt light bulb turned on for 10 hours <=> 40 Watts x 10 hours = 400 watt-hours or .4 Kwh
To calculate cost, multiply Kwh x price <=>
For example .4 Kwh x  $.10 per Kwh = .04 or just 4¢ for each 10 hours of 60 Watt light

appliance watts
Remember, when everybody conserves electricity, the price remains low and fewer resources are used
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