Energy Cost per Hour & Machinery Duty Cycle Calculator
Calculate electricity running costs per hour, per 8-hour shift, and monthly commercial power bills.
Last reviewed by the myCalculator Editorial Team
Input Parameters
e.g. 3500W compressor, 7500W CNC machine, 1500W air conditioner
Percentage of time the equipment actively draws full power while switched on
Calculation Results
Visual Growth Breakdown
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Formula & How Energy Cost per Hour & Machinery Duty Cycle Calculator Works
Equipment that cycles on and off does not draw its full rating all the time, so the running cost uses the duty cycle. A 3,500 W machine at a 75% duty cycle averages 2.625 kW. At 32.5 cents per kWh that is $0.853 per hour, $6.83 per 8-hour shift and about $34 per 5-day week. Multiply by the number of working weeks for an annual cost, and compare it with the same figure for a more efficient model to see the payback. Demand and time-of-use tariffs can change the real cost, and idle or standby power is extra. Use a power meter on the equipment to measure the actual average if you can.
- Enter Equipment Power Rating (Watts) (W): Input your target parameter value.
- Enter Operational Duty Cycle (%) (%): Input your target parameter value.
- Enter Electricity Tariff (¢/kWh) (¢/kWh): Input your target parameter value.
- Enter Operating Hours per Day (Shift Length) (hrs/day): Input your target parameter value.
- Enter Operating Days per Week (days/wk): Input your target parameter value.
- Apply Formula: Calculate using
Effective kW = (Watts ÷ 1000) × (Duty% ÷ 100) | Hourly Cost = Effective kW × ($/kWh) | Shift Cost = Hourly × Shift Hours. - Review Results: View exact computed answers, metrics, and worked mathematical proofs.
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Cite this Calculator
Are you using our calculation results for a university assignment, research paper, or academic report? Use the auto-generated citations below to accurately reference this tool in your bibliography.
MyCalculator.com.au. (2026). Energy Cost per Hour & Machinery Duty Cycle Calculator. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.mycalculator.com.au/calculators/engineering/energy-cost-per-hour
MyCalculator.com.au. (2026) 'Energy Cost per Hour & Machinery Duty Cycle Calculator'. Available at: https://www.mycalculator.com.au/calculators/engineering/energy-cost-per-hour (Accessed: 24 October 2026).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is duty cycle in power calculation?
Duty cycle is the percentage of time a device actively runs under full load during an operating period. An air compressor that runs for 45 minutes every hour has a 75% duty cycle.
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Authoritative Standards & Verified Reference Citations
Calculations and mathematical logic on this page are grounded in published statutory rules, regulatory standards, and official government data published by the following bodies:
Australian Standards including AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring Rules), AS 3600 (Concrete Structures), and AS 4100 (Steel Structures).
Accreditation and technical guidelines for civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering.
Dedicated Australian home loans, borrowing capacity, mortgage repayments & refinance modeling.