Aquarium: electricity cost calculator
Quick answer: a typical aquarium costs about $7/month while in use at the U.S. average electricity price (18.44¢/kWh) — about $81 per year. Your number depends on wattage, runtime and your state — calculate it below.
A heated 40-gallon freshwater tank averages 60–150 W across its heater duty cycle, filter and lighting. Large reef tanks with pumps and intense lighting can reach 400 W+.
1.20 kWh/day used · 37 kWh/month in use · 438 kWh/year at 18.44¢ per kWh
Low, typical and heavy use
Monthly cost while in use, at the U.S. average price of 18.44¢/kWh.
| Scenario | Watts | Hours/day | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light use | 30 W | 7.2 h | $1.21 |
| Typical | 100 W | 12.0 h | $6.74 |
| Heavy use | 400 W | 18.0 h | $40.41 |
Common questions
What costs the most in an aquarium?
The heater in a cool room, followed by lighting on reef tanks. Insulating the tank's back and sides and using LED lighting are the two easiest savings.
Cost in every state
Monthly cost of a typical aquarium (100 W, 12h/day) at each state's average residential price, May 2026.
| State | Avg price | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.77¢ | $6.13 |
| Alaska | 28.23¢ | $10.31 |
| Arizona | 15.23¢ | $5.56 |
| Arkansas | 14.36¢ | $5.24 |
| California | 33.25¢ | $12.14 |
| Colorado | 16.16¢ | $5.90 |
| Connecticut | 27.37¢ | $10.00 |
| Delaware | 19.38¢ | $7.08 |
| District of Columbia | 25.40¢ | $9.28 |
| Florida | 15.17¢ | $5.54 |
| Georgia | 15.84¢ | $5.79 |
| Hawaii | 52.00¢ | $18.99 |
| Idaho | 12.35¢ | $4.51 |
| Illinois | 23.85¢ | $8.71 |
| Indiana | 18.15¢ | $6.63 |
| Iowa | 14.14¢ | $5.16 |
| Kansas | 15.13¢ | $5.53 |
| Kentucky | 14.98¢ | $5.47 |
| Louisiana | 14.15¢ | $5.17 |
| Maine | 28.63¢ | $10.46 |
| Maryland | 21.77¢ | $7.95 |
| Massachusetts | 28.82¢ | $10.53 |
| Michigan | 22.01¢ | $8.04 |
| Minnesota | 16.95¢ | $6.19 |
| Mississippi | 16.16¢ | $5.90 |
| Missouri | 13.68¢ | $5.00 |
| Montana | 14.67¢ | $5.36 |
| Nebraska | 13.59¢ | $4.96 |
| Nevada | 13.60¢ | $4.97 |
| New Hampshire | 27.33¢ | $9.98 |
| New Jersey | 23.27¢ | $8.50 |
| New Mexico | 14.12¢ | $5.16 |
| New York | 29.93¢ | $10.93 |
| North Carolina | 15.09¢ | $5.51 |
| North Dakota | 13.61¢ | $4.97 |
| Ohio | 19.52¢ | $7.13 |
| Oklahoma | 13.38¢ | $4.89 |
| Oregon | 16.27¢ | $5.94 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.55¢ | $7.87 |
| Rhode Island | 29.46¢ | $10.76 |
| South Carolina | 16.18¢ | $5.91 |
| South Dakota | 15.73¢ | $5.75 |
| Tennessee | 14.47¢ | $5.29 |
| Texas | 16.44¢ | $6.00 |
| Utah | 12.96¢ | $4.73 |
| Vermont | 24.89¢ | $9.09 |
| Virginia | 17.61¢ | $6.43 |
| Washington | 14.95¢ | $5.46 |
| West Virginia | 16.80¢ | $6.14 |
| Wisconsin | 19.74¢ | $7.21 |
| Wyoming | 14.80¢ | $5.41 |
Related calculators
Pool pump A quiet four-figure annual cost in many sunbelt homes.
~1,100 W · 6h/day →
Hot tub Mostly a water heater that lives outside.
~3,000 W · 3h/day →
Electric sauna A big heater used in short sessions.
~6,000 W · 1h/day →
Heated floor About 12 watts per square foot, every hour it's on.
~1,200 W · 6h/day →
Garage heater Heating an uninsulated garage is the expensive part.
~5,000 W · 4h/day →
Grow lights Long photoperiods make wattage really matter.
~400 W · 14h/day →
Methodology & sources
Cost = watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × price per kWh. Electricity prices are average residential prices by state from the EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (May 2026). EIA averages include delivery charges and taxes but are not any specific utility tariff — for an exact figure, use the rate from your own bill. Wattage presets reflect common product ranges; check your appliance's nameplate or a plug-in power meter for its true draw.
Last verified: July 30, 2026. Prices refresh automatically each month when EIA publishes new data.