How much does it cost to run a vacuum cleaner?
A typical vacuum cleaner draws about 1400 watts. Used 0.3 hours a day, that works out to roughly $0.07 per day, $0.60 per month, and $7.14 per year on an average electricity rate of 17¢ per kWh. High wattage offset by occasional, short use sessions.
Vacuum Cleaner running cost calculator
- Per day
- $0.07
- Per month
- $0.60
- Per year
- $7.14
- CO₂ / year
- 16.8 kg
Based on 42 kWh per year. Adjust the price per kWh to match your latest electricity bill for an exact figure.
The number that matters most is your own electricity rate. Rates range from under 11¢ per kWh in some regions to over 30¢ in others, so the same vacuum cleaner can cost two or three times as much depending on where you live. Enter your exact rate in the calculator above to get a figure tailored to your bill.
Over a full year this vacuum cleaner uses about 42 kWh of electricity and is responsible for roughly 16.8 kg of CO₂ emissions on an average grid. Reducing run time, or switching to a more efficient model, lowers both the cost and the footprint.
If this vacuum cleaner is one you use daily, even small efficiency gains compound. Cutting its usage or wattage by 20% would save around $1.43 every year — money that an efficient replacement can recover over its lifetime.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to run a vacuum cleaner per hour?
- At 1400 watts and a 17¢/kWh rate, a vacuum cleaner costs about $0.24 per hour to run.
- How much electricity does a vacuum cleaner use per month?
- Running 0.3 hours a day, a vacuum cleaner uses roughly 3.5 kWh per month, costing about $0.60.
- Is a vacuum cleaner expensive to run?
- Not particularly — at around $7.14 per year, a vacuum cleaner is a relatively minor part of most electricity bills.
- How can I reduce my vacuum cleaner running costs?
- Use it during off-peak hours if your utility offers time-of-use pricing, reduce daily run time, and consider an ENERGY STAR rated vacuum cleaner, which uses less power for the same job.