How much electricity does your household really use?

Estimate annual units (kWh) and monthly bill by household size, home type, and appliances. Indian rates and home types built in. No sign-up, works for any state.

Free No sign-up Works for any Indian state Indian defaults built in

Electricity Cost Calculator

Get a practical electricity bill estimate in under a minute. Start with a household template, then only adjust the parts that are actually different for you.

Free, no sign-up
Ready in about 30 seconds
1. Pick the closest householdStart with single, couple, or family.
2. Only change what is differentRate, home type, and AC matter most.

1. Choose a household type

Tap the closest starting point.

2. Adjust usage level

Optional, only if your home is clearly below or above typical usage.

1 = very efficient, 5 = typical Indian household, 10 = well above average. Good for matching the model to your actual bill.

3. Check the basics

4. Check your electricity rate

Indian electricity rates vary by state and consumption slab. This calculator uses a flat effective rate for estimation. Check your DISCOM tariff for exact slab details.

Rate This is the effective per-unit price. Your actual DISCOM bill may have multiple slabs; use your average effective rate here.
Fixed charge Most DISCOMs charge a fixed monthly amount (meter rent, demand charge, etc.) regardless of consumption.
Additional settings, only if the estimate still looks off

Kitchen & Laundry

A standard Indian fridge uses about 300 units/year. Star-rated models use less.

Entertainment & Devices

What to do with this estimate

If your result is higher than expected, check the advanced settings. AC, geyser, and desert cooler are usually the biggest levers. If you want updates when we add new calculators:

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How the estimate works

  • Base usage: Depends on household size and home type (lighting, standby, basic devices)
  • Appliance add-ons: Additive values for AC, geyser, ceiling fans, cooler, washing machine, etc.
  • Month adjustment: Proportional correction if occupied less than 12 months
  • Range: Low and high estimates (plus/minus ~18%) account for habits, climate zone, and appliance efficiency
  • Cost: Estimated units times your per-unit rate plus the monthly fixed charge

Reference values for Indian household electricity

  • Small flat, 1-2 people: often about 100-200 units/month (1,200-2,400 units/year)
  • Larger flat, 3-4 people: often about 200-400 units/month (2,400-4,800 units/year)
  • Independent house with AC: often about 400-600 units/month (4,800-7,200 units/year)
  • Bungalow / villa: often about 500-800+ units/month (6,000-9,600+ units/year)
Indian household consumption is significantly lower than US or European averages. AC usage is the single biggest differentiator between low and high consumption homes.
Based on DISCOM data across states. Actual values vary widely by region, climate, and lifestyle.

Frequently asked questions

How much electricity does an average Indian household use? It varies widely. A small urban flat typically uses 150-300 units/month. Larger homes with air conditioning can use 400-800+ units/month. Rural homes without AC often use under 100 units/month.
How do electricity slab rates work in India? Indian DISCOMs charge electricity in tiered slabs. The first slab (e.g. 0-100 units) is charged at the lowest rate. As consumption increases, higher slabs are charged at progressively higher per-unit rates. This means your effective rate rises with total consumption. Each state has different slab structures.
What uses the most electricity in an Indian home? Air conditioning is by far the biggest driver, often accounting for 40-60% of the bill. Electric geysers (water heaters), desert coolers, and ceiling fans are the next biggest consumers. Homes without AC use far less overall.
How can I reduce my electricity bill? Switch to inverter ACs (save 30-50% vs non-inverter), use LED lights everywhere, buy BEE star-rated appliances, use a solar water heater instead of an electric geyser, and run ACs at 24-26 degrees C. Rooftop solar panels can also offset a large portion of your bill.