It's easy to determine the costs of running your appliances. You can use this tool to determine the approximate energy usage and cost of most major electric appliances. The Electric Appliance Calculator is an estimate cost of appliances. Actual costs may vary between customers. For the most accurate estimate of your home, complete an Energy Analysis. Electricity is measured in kilowatt-hours (abbreviated kWh). equal to the power used by ten 100-watt bulbs for one hour. The current urban charge for electricity from WPS isIf you would like to change the rate used in the calculations above, enter a new rate below and click the "Update" button. Knowing that your bill varies for a number of reasons helps you understand the "why" of increased energy use. But it doesn't give you the "how" of managing your costs. chart to the right shows how we use energy in our homes. Managing your use of these items will have the greatest impact on your bill. Your local library can also be a great place to learn more about energy efficiency.