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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Table Saw in California? (2026)
A table saw motor draws 1,200 to 3,000 watts under load but only while cutting. Even a busy hobbyist workshop uses only a few kWh a month on saws.
A typical table saw (1,800 W) costs $0.63 per hour, or about $9.45 per month at 0.5 hours a day in California. Average running cost
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (1,200 W) | $0.42 | $0.21 | $6.30 | $76.65 |
| Typical (1,800 W) | $0.63 | $0.32 | $9.45 | $114.97 |
| High (3,000 W) | $1.05 | $0.52 | $15.75 | $191.62 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 0.5 h/day ≈ 328 kWh per year.
In California, with electricity at $0.35 per kWh (source: EIA Table 5.6.A, 2026-06), a typical table saw costs $0.63 per hour and about $114.97 per year at 0.5 hours a day. That is about 94% more than the US national average of $4.86 per month, because electricity in California costs $0.35 per kWh against $0.18 nationally. Each $1.00 of electricity buys roughly 1.6 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running a table saw
- Keep blades sharp. A dull blade draws more current and burns wood.
- Let the saw reach full speed before feeding stock.
- Turn dust extraction off between cuts. It often draws as much as the saw.
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does a table saw use?
About 0.9 kWh for 30 minutes of cutting time, which is a long session.
Do power tools use a lot of electricity?
No. They have high ratings but run briefly.
What uses more, the saw or the dust collector?
Often the dust collector, because it runs continuously while the saw runs intermittently.
Cost by region
- United States (average)
- California
- Texas
- New York
- Florida
- Canada (average)
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- France
- Australia
- India