Water Heaters / California
Cost to run a water heater in California
A typical ENERGY STAR water heater costs about $360.30 a year to run in California, or $30.02 a month, at the state’s average residential price of 33.61 cents per kWh (July 2026).
- Typical yearly cost
- $360.30
- Over ten years
- $3603 today’s price
- Price in California
- 33.61 ¢/kWh
“Typical” means the median annual energy use of 712 current ENERGY STAR certified water heaters (1072 kWh a year), multiplied by the price. It is a standardized figure, not a measurement of your home.
By type of water heater
| Type | Models | Median kWh/yr | Cost per year | Per month | Range per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 240 Volt Integrated HPWH | 539 | 970 | $326.02 | $27.17 | $216.11 to $493.06 |
| Split System HPWH | 101 | 923 | $310.22 | $25.85 | $228.88 to $585.15 |
| 120 Volt Integrated HPWH | 72 | 1082 | $363.66 | $30.31 | $243.34 to $555.91 |
Costs use each type’s median listing; the range runs from its lowest to its highest listed energy use. Source: ENERGY STAR certified water heaters dataset (EPA) and EIA residential prices.
How California compares
California’s average residential price is 109% above the median US state, ranking 2 of 51 from highest to lowest. The same typical water heater would cost $136.36 a year in Louisiana, the cheapest state, and $514.56 in Hawaii, the most expensive. Over the last 12 months California’s price rose 2.9%.
Cost to run a water heater in every state · California electricity price history · Replacing an old water heater? Savings calculator
Lowest running cost by type
The published model with the lowest listed annual energy use in each type, with its cost at California’s price:
- Richmond 10E40-HP5U15 (240 volt integrated hpwh): 643 kWh a year, about $216.11 in California
- GSW WATER HEATERS GHPCO-45 1**+GXST-50LBTTP 1** (split system hpwh): 915 kWh a year, about $307.53 in California
- GE Profile PF40S10FPY01 (120 volt integrated hpwh): 724 kWh a year, about $243.34 in California
These are the lowest among the models published on this site, not among every certified model. Browse all water heaters by energy use.
Questions
How much does it cost to run a water heater in California?
A typical ENERGY STAR water heater (the median of 712 current listings, 1072 kWh a year) costs about $360.30 a year, or $30.02 a month, at California's average residential price of 33.61 cents per kWh. By type it ranges from $310.22 (split system hpwh) to $363.66 (120 volt integrated hpwh).
Is electricity expensive in California?
California's average residential price is 33.61 cents per kWh (July 2026, EIA), 109% above the median state and 2 of 51 when states are ranked from highest to lowest price. The same typical water heater would cost $136.36 a year in Louisiana, the cheapest state, and $514.56 in Hawaii.
Will my water heater cost the same?
Probably not exactly. The annual figure is a standardized ENERGY STAR value, and your own price per kWh may differ from the statewide average. Enter your rate in the calculator on any water heater page for a closer number.