How much does electric hot water cost to run?
By Sithum Imarsha Last reviewed
About 3,595 kWh a year for a 4-person home: $1,190 a year at NSW's general rate of 33.1c/kWh. Controlled load (off-peak) rates are lower.
Your result
Running cost
$1,150a year
3,594.79 kWh a year × 32c/kWh = $1,150
- Per hour of use
- —
- Energy an hour
- —kWh
- Per day of use
- $3.15
- Energy a day
- 9.85kWh
- Per load
- —
- Energy a load
- —kWh
- Per wash
- —
- Energy a wash
- —kWh
- Rate used
- 32c/kWh ·
Australian average import rate - Worked from
- Preset energy use ·
the energy figure already covers thermostat cycling
Hot water systems run all year, so hours do not apply.
A thermostat switches it on and off, so it does not draw full power all day. Lower the share of time at full power under Advanced settings.
Choosing a heater? Compare heater types, including reverse-cycle air conditioning.
Controlled load? If it is on a controlled-load tariff, type that rate under Advanced settings.
Thinking of switching? Would a heat pump be cheaper? →Would a heat pump be cheaper? →Would a heat pump be cheaper? →Would a heat pump be cheaper? →Would a heat pump be cheaper? →Would a heat pump be cheaper? →Would a heat pump be cheaper? →Would a heat pump be cheaper? →
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How we calculated this
- Energy in a year comes from the watts and the hours of use, or from the energy label scaled to your use.
- It is priced at the usage rate only. The daily supply charge is not a running cost.
- On your own solar, the cost is the feed-in credit you give up.
Full method, tables and sources: Appliance running cost calculator
Energy in a year
3,594.79 kWh a year (preset)
Pick the rate
32c/kWh (Australian average import rate)
Work out the cost
3,594.79 kWh × 32c/kWh = $1,150 a year
Cost an hour of use
— kWh × 32c/kWh = — an hour
| State | Import c/kWh | Feed-in c/kWh | Cost a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | 33.1 | 5 | $1,190 |
| Victoria | 27.2 | 3 | $978 |
| Queensland | 27.9 | 5 | $1,003 |
| South Australia | 41.5 | 5 | $1,492 |
| Western Australia | 33.2621 | 3 | $1,196 |
| Tasmania | 28.8 | 9.276 | $1,035 |
| Australian Capital Territory | 32.1 | 5 | $1,154 |
Uses each state's import rate, or its feed-in rate when Power from is set to solar. Your own rate is not used here. Import rates: Dated third-party source, except Western Australia (Official source). Feed-in rates: Estimate, except Tasmania (Official source).
This version starts with an electric storage system for 4 people, using about 3,595 kWh a year: 150 litres of hot water a day plus the tank's own heat loss. For fewer people, type your own label or bill figure in kWh a year.
Electric hot water: what the sources say
Official source
- Controlled load is a separate circuit the network switches on for set hours at a lower rate (Ausgrid, QCA). If your hot water is on a controlled-load tariff, type that rate under Advanced settings.
Dated third-party source
- In NSW, Ausgrid controlled load 1 is 19.12c/kWh against 33.1c/kWh on the general rate. This tank then costs $687 a year instead of $1,190.
New to running costs? Read how it is worked out on the main appliance running cost calculator.
Questions
Are electric hot water systems expensive to run?
It adds up. A storage system for 4 people uses about 3,595 kWh a year: $1,190 at NSW's general rate. A controlled load rate or solar costs less.
How much hot water does a family use?
We use 150 litres a day for 4 people and 50 litres a day for 1 (Sustainability Victoria, via CHOICE).
Is off-peak hot water cheaper?
Yes. At NSW rates this tank costs $687 a year on controlled load against $1,190 on the general rate. Only a tank wired to the controlled-load circuit gets the lower rate.
What is controlled load?
A separate circuit the network switches on for set hours at a lower rate (Ausgrid, QCA). Only an appliance wired to that circuit gets the rate.
Can solar heat my water?
Yes. A diverter or timer can run the system on midday solar. The cost is then the feed-in credit you give up: about $180 a year in NSW for this system. Set Power from to Solar to see yours.