How many watts does a water heater use?
Most water heaters use 3,000–5,500 watts while running (typically about 4,500 W). At the U.S. average rate of 18.16¢/kWh, a typical one costs about $74.57 a month ($895 a year).
Figures are for an electric tank water heater. The element only runs while reheating water, typically a few hours a day in total.
Cost to run a water heater: calculator
Running vs starting watts
Running watts are what it draws while operating; they drive your electricity bill. It has no significant start-up surge, so size a generator or power station on running watts alone.
| Source | Running | Starting |
|---|---|---|
| Champion Power Equipment generator wattage chart | 3,000–4,500 W | — |
| EcoFlow appliance wattage chart | 3,000–4,500 W | — |
| U.S. DOE Energy Saver, typical appliance wattages (archived) | 4,500–5,500 W | — |
Will a power station run it?
It draws too much power to run long on a battery: a 1,000 Wh power station would last only about 11 minutes (assuming 85% conversion efficiency). Look for at least 5,500 W continuous output. Check your power station or generator →
Cost by state
Based on 4,500 W for 3 hours a day, 365 days a year (4,928 kWh/yr).
Cost to run a water heater in every state
| State | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $67.06 | $805 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $121 | $1,449 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $61.80 | $742 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $59.01 | $708 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $122 | $1,466 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $70.50 | $846 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $101 | $1,208 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $76.79 | $921 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $107 | $1,280 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $61.55 | $739 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $65.29 | $783 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $194 | $2,325 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $54.90 | $659 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $79.33 | $952 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $69.89 | $839 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $70.05 | $841 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $63.52 | $762 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $56.67 | $680 |
| Louisiana | 12.87¢ | $52.85 | $634 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $132 | $1,582 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $87.87 | $1,054 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $125 | $1,502 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $94.40 | $1,133 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $70.63 | $848 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $59.25 | $711 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $65.78 | $789 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $63.93 | $767 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $55.60 | $667 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $52.23 | $627 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $113 | $1,362 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $101 | $1,213 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $67.79 | $814 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $118 | $1,412 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $61.39 | $737 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $54.65 | $656 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $79.58 | $955 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $60.85 | $730 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $65.37 | $784 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $89.39 | $1,073 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $116 | $1,389 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $64.71 | $777 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $62.21 | $747 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $55.11 | $661 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $65.33 | $784 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $54.65 | $656 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $97.89 | $1,175 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $72.43 | $869 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $60.07 | $721 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $66.97 | $804 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $79.70 | $956 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $59.25 | $711 |
FAQ
How many watts does a water heater use?
Most water heaters use 3,000–5,500 watts while running (typically about 4,500 W). At the U.S. average rate of 18.16¢/kWh, a typical one costs about $74.57 a month ($895 a year).
How much does it cost to run a water heater?
About $74.57 a month at the U.S. average rate (18.16¢/kWh, August 2026), based on 4,500 W for 3 hours a day, 365 days a year (4,928 kWh/yr). In the cheapest state it's about $52.23 a month; in the most expensive, $194.
How many kWh does a water heater use?
About 4,928 kWh a year (411 kWh a month), based on 4,500 W for 3 hours a day, 365 days a year (4,928 kWh/yr).
Can a power station or generator run a water heater?
It draws too much power to run long on a battery: a 1,000 Wh power station would last only about 11 minutes. Look for at least 5,500 W continuous output.