How much does a microwave cost to run in Washington?
$1.05 a month
- A day of use
- $0.03
- An hour of running
- $0.14
- A year
- $12.58
925 W, 15 minutes a day, at Washington’s average rate of 14.9¢ per kWh (EIA, June 2026). How we calculate this
Change the watts, hours or rate
What it costs at other usage levels
| Use | A day | A month | A year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 minutes a day typical | $0.03 | $1.05 | $12.58 |
| 1 hour a day | $0.14 | $4.19 | $50.34 |
| 2 hours a day | $0.28 | $8.39 | $100.68 |
| 4 hours a day | $0.55 | $16.78 | $201.36 |
| 8 hours a day | $1.10 | $33.56 | $402.72 |
| 24 hours a day | $3.31 | $100.68 | $1,208.16 |
Models range from 750 W to 1,100 W (Virginia Cooperative Extension). We use 925 W, the middle of that range.
Washington compared with other states
Washington’s residential rate is the 13th cheapest of 51 states and DC, 3.4¢ below the US average of 18.3¢ (−19%). Washington’s rate is up 2.0¢ from June 2025 (13.0¢, +15.0%).
Ways to spend less
- Reheat in the microwave instead of the oven; it heats the food, not a box of air.
- Cover dishes so they heat faster.
- Unplug it if you never use the clock; the display draws a little power all day.
Questions
How much does it cost to run a microwave per hour?
About $0.14 an hour in Washington. A microwave at 925 W uses 0.925 kWh per hour, and at Washington’s average of 14.9¢ per kWh that comes to $0.14.
How much does a microwave add to your electric bill?
Used 15 minutes a day, about $1.05 a month in Washington, or $12.58 a year.
How much does it cost to run a microwave 24 hours a day?
Running nonstop, a microwave would use 22.2 kWh a day and cost $3.31 a day, or $100.68 over an average month in Washington.
How many watts does a microwave use?
Models range from 750 W to 1,100 W (Virginia Cooperative Extension). We use 925 W, the middle of that range. Check the label on yours: cost scales directly with watts, so a 20% lower wattage means a 20% lower bill.
Why does a microwave cost more or less to run in Washington than elsewhere?
Washington’s residential rate is the 13th cheapest of 51 states and DC, 3.4¢ below the US average of 18.3¢ (−19%). Washington’s rate is up 2.0¢ from June 2025 (13.0¢, +15.0%). The appliance uses the same energy everywhere; only the price per kWh changes.
Sources
- Virginia Cooperative Extension: Estimating appliance and home electronic energy use (reproduces U.S. Department of Energy sample wattages)
- Penn State EGEE 102: Typical range of power consumption (wattage)
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A: average price of electricity to ultimate customers, residential, June 2026 Figures transcribed from republications of this table on September 26, 2026; pending direct verification from the EIA API.
- Carrier page: June 2026 residential average price, citing EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A
Usage assumptions (hours a day, season) are ours and listed on the methodology page. Found an error? Tell us.