Data through April 2026
Cost to run · South Carolina · 17.1¢/kWh residential average
How much does it cost to run an electric water heater in South Carolina?
$185/yr · median certified model
South Carolina's residential rate of 17.1¢/kWh tracks the national average (18.8¢) closely, so national cost figures translate almost directly: a median certified electric water heater runs about $185 a year here.
South Carolina ranks 29 of 51 jurisdictions for electric water heater running costs — solidly mid-table. Model choice matters as much as geography: at South Carolina rates the most efficient certified model (Friedrich PROH40 T2 FD400-15) costs $110 a year while the most power-hungry (Smart Solar SSG2-ES 120) costs $297 — a spread of $187 every year. For reference, the national extremes are North Dakota (12.3¢/kWh) and Hawaii (46.6¢/kWh); the same median electric water heater would cost $134 and $504 a year there.
The cheapest water heaters (electric) to run at South Carolina rates
| # | Model | kWh/yr | $/yr in SC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Friedrich PROH40 T2 FD400-15 | 643 | $110 |
| 2 | Rheem PROPH40 T2 RH375-15 | 643 | $110 |
| 3 | Rheem PROPH40 T2 RH400-15 | 643 | $110 |
| 4 | Rheem XE40T10H22U0 | 643 | $110 |
| 5 | Rheem XE40T10H22U1 | 643 | $110 |
| 6 | Richmond 10E40-HP515 | 643 | $110 |
| 7 | Richmond 10E40-HP5U15 | 643 | $110 |
| 8 | Ruud PROUH40 T2 RU375-15 | 643 | $110 |
| 9 | Ruud PROUH40 T2 RU400-15 | 643 | $110 |
| 10 | Eco-Logical OMNI-50HP1-1A | 681 | $116 |
Price any model at South Carolina rates
Your rate, your numbers
- Per day
- 51¢
- Per month
- $15.38
- Per year
- $185
1,082 kWh/yr × 17.1¢/kWh = $185/yr
Prefilled with the median certified electric water heater (1,082 kWh/yr). Every model page on this site carries its exact certified figure.
Questions, answered with the data
- How much does it cost to run an electric water heater in South Carolina?
- About $185 a year for the median ENERGY STAR certified electric water heater, at South Carolina's average residential rate of 17.1¢/kWh — that's $15.38 a month.
- Is electricity expensive in South Carolina?
- South Carolina's residential average of 17.1¢/kWh is 9% below the U.S. average of 18.8¢/kWh, ranking 29 of 51 jurisdictions (1 = cheapest).
- What's the cheapest electric water heater to run in South Carolina?
- Among currently certified models, the Friedrich PROH40 T2 FD400-15 costs the least at about $110 a year at South Carolina rates (643 kWh/yr).
- How does South Carolina compare with other states?
- The same median electric water heater costs $134 a year in North Dakota (the cheapest state) and $504 in Hawaii (the priciest). South Carolina sits at $185.
Keep digging
- All certified water heaters (electric) compared
- Water Heaters (Electric) costs in Mississippi (rank 27 of 51)
- Water Heaters (Electric) costs in Texas (rank 28 of 51)
- Water Heaters (Electric) costs in Virginia (rank 30 of 51)
- Water Heaters (Electric) costs in Alabama (rank 31 of 51)
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Rate source: US EIA, average residential price of electricity, see methodology.