Electricity Cost Calculator
Find out how much energy your 3D printer consumes for each job.
How This Tool Works
Electricity is the "invisible cost" of 3D printing. This tool takes your printer's power draw (in Watts) and your local electricity rate to tell you exactly what that 20-hour helmet print is adding to your utility bill.
- Formula:
(Watts / 1000) x Hours x Rate per kWh - The Logic: Utility companies charge by the "Kilowatt-hour" (kWh). We convert your Watts to Kilowatts and multiply by time.
- Assumptions: We assume an average power draw. Your printer draws less power once it heats up, so this is a "safe" maximum estimate.
How to Use
- Find your Wattage: Check the sticker on your power supply (e.g., 350W).
- Find your Rate: Look at your electric bill. The US average is ~$0.15/kWh.
- Enter Print Time: Put in how long the slice says it will take.
- Calculate.
Example Calculation
You have an Ender 3 Pro rated at 350W.
Your electricity costs $0.15/kWh.
You are printing a 10-hour lithophane.
• Energy Used: 3.5 kWh
• Total Cost: $0.53
Why This Tool Is Accurate
We use the standard physics formula for electrical energy. While actual usage fluctuates (heating up vs. maintaining temp), calculating based on the rated wattage ensures you never underestimate the cost.
Limitations & Disclaimer
This creates an estimate.
• It doesn't account for "idle" power (when the print finishes but the
machine stays on).
• For accurate filament material costs, use the Filament Cost Calculator.
• For resin material costs, use the Resin Cost Calculator.
FAQs
Check the sticker on the back of the power supply or the user manual. Common values: Ender 3 (350W), Prusa MK3S (240W), Resin Printers (50W-100W).
No. The highest draw is during initial heating. Once the bed and nozzle reach temperature, they pulse on and off to maintain heat. This calculator gives you a 'safe upper limit' estimate.
Resin printers don't have a heated bed (usually), which is the biggest power hog. They use a simple LED array and a small motor, consuming significantly less energy than FDM machines.