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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Microwave in California? (2026)
Microwaves draw a lot of power but only for minutes at a time, so they are one of the cheapest ways to heat food. Note the rated cooking power is often lower than the wattage pulled from the wall.
A typical microwave (1,000 W) costs $0.35 per hour, or about $2.62 per month at 0.25 hours a day in California. Cheap to run
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (700 W) | $0.24 | $0.061 | $1.84 | $22.36 |
| Typical (1,000 W) | $0.35 | $0.087 | $2.62 | $31.94 |
| High (1,500 W) | $0.52 | $0.13 | $3.94 | $47.91 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 0.25 h/day ≈ 91 kWh per year.
In California, with electricity at $0.35 per kWh (source: EIA Table 5.6.A, 2026-06), a typical microwave costs $0.35 per hour and about $31.94 per year at 0.25 hours a day. That is about 94% more than the US national average of $1.35 per month, because electricity in California costs $0.35 per kWh against $0.18 nationally. Each $1.00 of electricity buys roughly 2.9 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running a microwave
- Cover food so it heats evenly and faster.
- Use the microwave instead of the oven for reheating and small portions.
- Unplug it or use a switched outlet if the clock display bothers you. Standby draw can exceed cooking use over a year.
- Keep the interior clean. Food residue absorbs energy.
In standby it draws about 3 W, which adds roughly 26 kWh ($9.20) per year if it is never unplugged.
Frequently asked questions
Does a microwave use a lot of electricity?
Per minute, yes. Per meal, no. Fifteen minutes a day at 1,000 W is only 0.25 kWh.
Does a microwave use electricity when not in use?
Yes, 2 to 4 watts for the clock and control panel. That adds up to 20 to 35 kWh per year.
Why does my 800 W microwave draw 1,200 W?
The rated figure is the cooking output. Converting mains power to microwaves is roughly 65 percent efficient.
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