WattCost

Data through June 2026

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

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

$180/yr · median certified model

Residential electricity in Washington runs 14.9¢/kWh — 19% under the U.S. average — putting the median certified electric water heater at about $180 a year, versus $222 nationally.

In the national ranking, Washington lands at 13 of 51 for what an electric water heater costs to run. At local rates, certified models span $102 (Eco-Logical OMNI-50HP1-1A) to $260 (Smart Solar SSG2-ES 120) per year — $158 of annual headroom that depends entirely on which unit you buy. For reference, the national extremes are Nevada (13.1¢/kWh) and Hawaii (52.7¢/kWh); the same median electric water heater would cost $159 and $638 a year there.

Washington
$180
US average
$222
Nevada
$159
Hawaii
$638
Median certified electric water heater (1,210 kWh/yr) per year, at each rate

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

Price any model at Washington rates

Your rate, your numbers

Per day
49¢
Per month
$15.03
Per year
$180

1,210 kWh/yr × 14.9¢/kWh = $180/yr

Prefilled with the median certified electric water heater (1,210 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 Washington?
About $180 a year for the median ENERGY STAR certified electric water heater, at Washington's average residential rate of 14.9¢/kWh — that's $15.03 a month.
Is electricity expensive in Washington?
Washington's residential average of 14.9¢/kWh is 19% below the U.S. average of 18.3¢/kWh, ranking 13 of 51 jurisdictions (1 = cheapest).
What's the cheapest electric water heater to run in Washington?
Among currently certified models, the Eco-Logical OMNI-50HP1-1A costs the least at about $102 a year at Washington rates (681 kWh/yr).
How does Washington compare with other states?
The same median electric water heater costs $159 a year in Nevada (the cheapest state) and $638 in Hawaii (the priciest). Washington sits at $180.

Keep digging

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