Can I use the machine nameplate power?

Use a measured average when available. Nameplate power describes a rating and may overstate or understate the average for this particular run.

Where do monthly demand charges belong?

Enter the documented share assigned to this run as an allocated fee. A run’s peak does not necessarily set the utility billing peak.

Should idle time be included?

Include it when it belongs to the run, and measure average power over that same interval. Do not combine running-only power with hours that include idle time.

Why can the unit or hourly cost be blank?

A per-part cost needs produced parts, and an hourly cost needs elapsed hours. Known charges remain visible when either denominator is zero.

Energy calculator

Power Cost Calculator

Allocate electricity charges to one production run. Enter mean metered power, run hours, the energy price, separate billed fees and the matching part count.

What this calculator does

Calculate a run’s electricity cost from measured power and a documented allocation of additional utility charges.

Formula used

Energy used = average electrical input × run duration
Energy charge = energy used × energy price
Power cost = energy charge + allocated demand and fixed fees
Cost per part = power cost ÷ produced parts
Average hourly cost = power cost ÷ run duration

Inputs explained

Average Electrical Input: Mean metered electrical input throughout the selected run.
Run Duration: Elapsed hours represented by the measured average power.
Energy Price: Applicable energy tariff, excluding separately allocated demand charges.
Allocated Demand and Fixed Fees: Run allocation from the bill, excluded from the energy price.
Produced Parts: Whole parts produced during this same run.

How to use the result

Best suited to job electricity Allocation, machine energy comparison.
This does not reconstruct a utility demand ratchet or time-of-use bill. One power reading may not represent a variable production cycle. Positive run duration must be at least 1e-06 hour.

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.
U.S. manufacturing runs at 75.7% of capacity (Federal Reserve, Aug 2026). New factory orders are up 8.5% year over year (Census).

Common questions

Can I use the machine nameplate power? Use a measured average when available. Nameplate power describes a rating and may overstate or understate the average for this particular run.
Where do monthly demand charges belong? Enter the documented share assigned to this run as an allocated fee. A run’s peak does not necessarily set the utility billing peak.
Should idle time be included? Include it when it belongs to the run, and measure average power over that same interval. Do not combine running-only power with hours that include idle time.
Why can the unit or hourly cost be blank? A per-part cost needs produced parts, and an hourly cost needs elapsed hours. Known charges remain visible when either denominator is zero.

Related guides

Last reviewed 2026-10-06.