How electricity cost is calculated
Watts to kWh
Watts × quantity × hours a day ÷ 1000 = kWh a day. A 1,700 W air conditioner running 8 hours: 13.6 kWh a day.
Monthly use
kWh a day × days used: 13.6 × 30 = 408 kWh a month.
Cost
kWh × price per kWh. At $0.15: 408 × 0.15 = $61.20. With tiered tariffs the tiers apply to the month’s total, then any fixed fee and tax are added.
Saudi residential tariff
As announced by Saudi Energy (formerly the Saudi Electricity Company) on 25 October 2026, reported by MEED (26 Oct 2026) and attaqa.net (25 Oct 2026). Prices before 15% VAT; checked 1 November 2026.
| Monthly use | To 31 Dec 2026 | From 1 Jan 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 6,000 kWh | 0.18 SAR per kWh | 0.21 SAR per kWh |
| Above 6,000 kWh | 0.30 SAR per kWh | 0.33 SAR per kWh |
Cost of one hour for common appliances (Saudi tariff)
Typical watts, first tier, before VAT. Your appliance’s label shows its real watts.
| Appliance | Typical watts | Per hour, 2026 | Per hour, 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split AC 18,000 BTU | 1,700 W | 0.306 SAR | 0.357 SAR |
| Window AC 18,000 BTU | 2,000 W | 0.36 SAR | 0.42 SAR |
| Refrigerator | 150 W | 0.027 SAR | 0.0315 SAR |
| Water heater | 1,500 W | 0.27 SAR | 0.315 SAR |
| Washing machine | 500 W | 0.09 SAR | 0.105 SAR |
| Kettle | 2,000 W | 0.36 SAR | 0.42 SAR |
| TV | 100 W | 0.018 SAR | 0.021 SAR |
| LED bulb | 10 W | 0.0018 SAR | 0.0021 SAR |
Tips
Read the label: Real watts are printed on the appliance label or in its manual; the list values are only typical starting points.
AC and fridge: Compressors cycle on and off, so real use is below watts × hours. Enter the hours the compressor actually runs for a closer estimate.
Tiers are monthly: A tier applies to the whole home’s use in the month, not to each appliance, so the cost is shared over appliances by their kWh.
Your price: Choose “My own price”, type the price per kWh from your bill (e.g. 0.15 USD) and pick the currency; tick tax if your bill adds it.
FAQ
How do I calculate electricity cost?
kWh = watts × hours × days ÷ 1000, then multiply by your price per kWh. A 2,000 W heater used 3 hours a day for 30 days uses 180 kWh; at $0.15 per kWh that’s $27.00.
How do I convert watts to kWh?
Divide watts by 1000 and multiply by the hours: a 100 W TV for 5 hours uses 0.5 kWh.
How much does it cost to run an air conditioner?
A 1,700 W split AC whose compressor runs 8 hours a day uses 13.6 kWh a day and about 408 kWh a month; multiply by your price per kWh.
How do I work out my bill from meter readings?
Subtract the previous reading from the current one to get the kWh used, then apply the price (and tiers, fee and tax). Use the “From meter readings” tab.
What does electricity cost in Saudi Arabia?
Residential: 18 halalas per kWh for the first 6,000 kWh a month and 30 above until 31 Dec 2026, then 21 and 33 halalas from 1 Jan 2027 (Saudi Energy announcement, 25 Oct 2026), plus 15% VAT.
Why is my real bill lower than the estimate?
Thermostats switch compressors and heaters on and off, so they draw full power only part of the time. Use real running hours, or compare with a month of meter readings.