Why not just use the connected kilowatts?

Connected load is an upper bound. Motors rarely draw nameplate power for a full period, so multiplying it by hours overstates the bill. The load factor brings the estimate down to the average draw your meter records.

What load factor should I enter?

Start with 75% for a conveyor that runs loaded most of the shift. Light or intermittent duty can sit at 40% to 60%; a clamp meter reading over a representative day is better than a guess.

Do I include standby and idle hours?

Yes if the conveyor motor runs through them. Runtime means hours the drive is powered and turning, including unloaded running, because the meter counts those kilowatt-hours too.

How do I get cost per unit for a different period?

Run the period you want: enter its runtime, its units and the same rate. The per-unit row always divides that run's cost by that run's units, so periods never mix.

Conveyors calculator

Conveyor Energy Cost Calculator

Estimate what a conveyor costs to run over a period from its connected motor load, runtime, electricity rate and average load factor. The result is the energy used, the bill, and the cost per unit moved.

What this calculator does

Conveyor electricity cost for a period from connected load, runtime, rate and average load factor, with cost per unit.

Formula used

Energy used (kWh) = connected motor load (kW) × operating runtime (hr) × average load factor % ÷ 100
Energy cost = energy used × blended electricity rate
Cost per unit moved = energy cost ÷ units moved; blank at zero units
Hourly energy cost = energy cost ÷ runtime; blank at zero runtime; average demand = connected load × load factor % ÷ 100

Inputs explained

Conveyor Connected Motor Load: Connected nameplate power of the conveyor drive motors.
Conveyor Operating Runtime: Hours the conveyor runs in the period, from run logs.
Blended Electricity Rate: Blended electricity price for the site and period.
Units Moved by Conveyor: Units the conveyor moved in the same period.
Average Load Factor: Average draw as a share of connected load; 75% typical.

How to use the result

Best suited to sizing an energy budget for a line, pricing an idle stop or VFD project, allocating conveyor cost per unit.
A period average for one billing basis; a rate change mid-period needs a split run. Connected load is nameplate, so measure the actual draw if a clamp meter is available.

Current U.S. benchmarks

As of Jul 2026, industrial electricity averages 9.8 cents per kWh across the U.S. (EIA), up 4.7% from a year earlier. State averages range widely, so plants should confirm against their own tariff.
The U.S. has 21,668 machinery manufacturing establishments employing about 1,086,146 workers (Census County Business Patterns, 2023).

Common questions

Why not just use the connected kilowatts? Connected load is an upper bound. Motors rarely draw nameplate power for a full period, so multiplying it by hours overstates the bill. The load factor brings the estimate down to the average draw your meter records.
What load factor should I enter? Start with 75% for a conveyor that runs loaded most of the shift. Light or intermittent duty can sit at 40% to 60%; a clamp meter reading over a representative day is better than a guess.
Do I include standby and idle hours? Yes if the conveyor motor runs through them. Runtime means hours the drive is powered and turning, including unloaded running, because the meter counts those kilowatt-hours too.
How do I get cost per unit for a different period? Run the period you want: enter its runtime, its units and the same rate. The per-unit row always divides that run's cost by that run's units, so periods never mix.

Last reviewed 2026-10-01.