Knowing how much your appliances cost to run can help you manage your energy bill. This guide provides a step-by-step process to calculate the energy consumption and cost of any appliance, helping you make informed decisions about your energy usage. Need help with your bill or understanding your energy usage? Contact Arizona Public Service customer service for personalized assistance.
How to Calculate Appliance Energy Costs
Follow these steps to determine the energy use and cost for any appliance:
1. Locate the Appliance Data Plate
Find the data plate on your appliance. It’s usually located near the power cord, outlet, or safety certifications like UL® or CE®. If the appliance uses an adapter, the data plate might be on the adapter.
2. Find the Power Rating (Watts)
Look for the power rating, also known as input power, listed in watts (W). If watts aren’t listed, find the voltage (V) and amperage (A). Multiply volts by amps to calculate watts (V x A = W).
3. Determine Usage Time
Estimate how many hours per day and days per month you use the appliance. For instance, a slow cooker might run for five hours daily but only three days a month.
4. Convert Watts to Kilowatts
Divide the wattage by 1,000 to convert it to kilowatts (kW). Example: 240 watts / 1,000 = 0.24 kW.
5. Calculate Daily Kilowatt-Hours (kWh)
Multiply the kW by the daily usage hours to get kilowatt-hours (kWh), representing daily energy consumption. Example: 0.24 kW x 5 hours = 1.2 kWh. Remember that Arizona Public Service may have time-of-use plans where energy used during peak hours (4-7 PM weekdays) contributes to a demand charge. Contact Arizona Public Service customer service for more details about your specific plan.
6. Calculate Monthly Kilowatt-Hours (kWh)
Multiply the daily kWh by the number of days you use the appliance per month. Example: 1.2 kWh x 3 days/month = 3.6 kWh.
7. Calculate the Monthly Cost
Multiply the total monthly kWh by the energy charge per kWh in your rate plan. Example: 3.6 kWh x $0.10873/kWh (off-peak rate) = $0.39. This means running the slow cooker in this example would cost approximately $0.39 per month. For accurate pricing, refer to your Arizona Public Service bill or contact customer service.
Conclusion
Calculating appliance energy costs empowers you to understand and manage your energy consumption. By following these steps, you can identify energy-saving opportunities and potentially lower your monthly bills. For specific questions regarding your energy usage or rate plan, contact the Arizona Public Service Customer Service Number. They can provide personalized support and answer questions about your account.
