How much does a toaster cost to run in Washington?
$0.50 a month
- A day of use
- $0.02
- An hour of running
- $0.16
- A year
- $5.99
1,100 W, 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 minutes a day typical | $0.02 | $0.50 | $5.99 |
| 1 hour a day | $0.16 | $4.99 | $59.86 |
| 2 hours a day | $0.33 | $9.98 | $119.73 |
| 4 hours a day | $0.66 | $19.95 | $239.45 |
| 8 hours a day | $1.31 | $39.91 | $478.91 |
| 24 hours a day | $3.94 | $119.73 | $1,436.73 |
Models range from 800 W to 1,400 W (Virginia Cooperative Extension). We use 1,100 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
- Toast in a toaster, not the oven or toaster oven; it heats only the bread.
- Empty the crumb tray; built-up crumbs slow it down.
- Toast both slices at once.
Questions
How much does it cost to run a toaster per hour?
About $0.16 an hour in Washington. A toaster at 1,100 W uses 1.10 kWh per hour, and at Washington’s average of 14.9¢ per kWh that comes to $0.16.
How much does a toaster add to your electric bill?
Used 6 minutes a day, about $0.50 a month in Washington, or $5.99 a year.
How much does it cost to run a toaster 24 hours a day?
Running nonstop, a toaster would use 26.4 kWh a day and cost $3.94 a day, or $119.73 over an average month in Washington.
How many watts does a toaster use?
Models range from 800 W to 1,400 W (Virginia Cooperative Extension). We use 1,100 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 toaster 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.