WattCost

Data through April 2026

Cost to run · Tennessee · 14.9¢/kWh residential average

How much does it cost to run an electric water heater in Tennessee?

$162/yr · median certified model

Residential electricity in Tennessee runs 14.9¢/kWh — 21% under the U.S. average — putting the median certified electric water heater at about $162 a year, versus $204 nationally.

Tennessee ranks 15 of 51 jurisdictions for electric water heater running costs — solidly mid-table. Model choice matters as much as geography: at Tennessee rates the most efficient certified model (Friedrich PROH40 T2 FD400-15) costs $96 a year while the most power-hungry (Smart Solar SSG2-ES 120) costs $260 — a spread of $164 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.

Tennessee
$162
US average
$204
North Dakota
$134
Hawaii
$504
Median certified electric water heater (1,082 kWh/yr) per year, at each rate

The cheapest water heaters (electric) to run at Tennessee rates

Price any model at Tennessee rates

Your rate, your numbers

Per day
44¢
Per month
$13.47
Per year
$162

1,082 kWh/yr × 14.9¢/kWh = $162/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 Tennessee?
About $162 a year for the median ENERGY STAR certified electric water heater, at Tennessee's average residential rate of 14.9¢/kWh — that's $13.47 a month.
Is electricity expensive in Tennessee?
Tennessee's residential average of 14.9¢/kWh is 21% below the U.S. average of 18.8¢/kWh, ranking 15 of 51 jurisdictions (1 = cheapest).
What's the cheapest electric water heater to run in Tennessee?
Among currently certified models, the Friedrich PROH40 T2 FD400-15 costs the least at about $96 a year at Tennessee rates (643 kWh/yr).
How does Tennessee 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). Tennessee sits at $162.

Keep digging

Rate source: US EIA, average residential price of electricity, see methodology.