3D Print Electricity Cost Calculator
Enter your printer power draw in watts, the print time in hours and your electricity rate per kWh to estimate the energy used and the cost of running the print.
How to calculate print electricity cost
- Enter the average printer power draw in watts.
- Enter the print time in hours.
- Enter your electricity price per kWh.
- Read the energy used in kWh and the dollar cost.
Examples
A 10 hour print
150 W, 10 h, $0.15 per kWh
1.5 kWh, about $0.23
A long 24 hour print
120 W, 24 h, $0.12 per kWh
2.88 kWh, about $0.35
Frequently asked questions
How is print electricity cost calculated?
Energy in kWh equals watts divided by 1000, times hours. Cost equals that energy times your price per kWh. For example 150 W for 10 h is 1.5 kWh, a raw $0.225 that rounds to $0.23.
What wattage should I use?
Use the average draw, not the peak heater rating. A small FDM printer averages roughly 70 to 150 W once the bed and hotend reach temperature. A plug-in power meter gives the real figure.
Why is the cost rounded to cents?
The dollar cost is rounded to two decimals for display. The kWh value is kept to four decimals so you can recompute the exact raw cost if you need it.
Does a heated bed change the cost much?
Yes. The heated bed is often the largest continuous load. Higher bed temperatures for ABS or PETG raise the average watts and the total energy used.
Where do I find my price per kWh?
It is on your electricity bill, usually labeled as the energy charge or supply rate per kWh. Rates vary by region and time of day.
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