What Does It Cost to Run an Iron in Pennsylvania?

Running an iron in Pennsylvania costs about $3.77 a month ($45.81 a year) at the state's average rate of 20.92 ¢/kWh. That assumes a typical 1,200-watt iron running 0.5 hours/day. These are electricity-only estimates, before delivery fees and taxes.

Average wattage assumption
1,200 W
Typical usage assumption
0.5 hours/day
Estimated monthly electricity use
18.0 kWh
Estimated monthly cost
$3.77
Estimated yearly cost
$45.81

Key metrics

MetricValue
Average wattage assumption1,200 W
Typical usage assumption0.5 hours/day
Estimated monthly electricity use18.0 kWh
Estimated monthly cost$3.77
Estimated yearly cost$45.81

Iron cost vs U.S. average

Pennsylvania average rate
20.92 ¢/kWh
Pennsylvania monthly cost
$3.77
U.S. monthly cost
$3.45
Monthly difference
+$0.32

At the statewide average residential rate, running an iron in Pennsylvania costs more per month by $0.32 than the same usage pattern priced at the current U.S. average electricity rate.

How much electricity does an iron use?

This estimate uses a typical wattage range of 800-1,500 W, and we assume 1,200 watts for 0.5 hours/day. Using the formula kWh = (watts × hours) / 1000, that works out to 0.60 kWh per day, 18.0 kWh per 30-day month, and 219.0 kWh per year.

Irons draw high wattage while heating but cycle their element to maintain temperature. Total cost depends on how often and how long you iron. In Pennsylvania, that energy is priced using the statewide residential average of 20.92 ¢/kWh, with a national average of 19.16 ¢/kWh for comparison.

Iron operating cost estimate in Pennsylvania

Time periodEnergy useCost
Per hour1.20 kWh$0.25
Per day0.60 kWh$0.13
Per month18.0 kWh$3.77
Per year219.0 kWh$45.81

These estimates isolate electricity usage only. Real utility bills can be higher because delivery charges, taxes, seasonal pricing, and fixed monthly fees are not included in this appliance model.

What changes the cost the most?

The biggest cost drivers for an iron are the local electricity rate and real-world usage intensity. For this appliance, the main swing factors are steam vs dry setting, ironing frequency, session length.

If your usage is lighter or heavier than the assumption on this page, the linked state calculator and usage-cost pages below are the fastest way to model a custom scenario with the same state electricity rate.

For calculator-style comparisons, use the Iron calculator in Pennsylvania to compare light, typical, and heavy usage profiles.

Comparison entry points

Browse related comparisons from the energy comparison hub:

City pages for selected metros in Pennsylvania

These city pages add local rate context for the same appliance assumptions. City values are estimates.

CityCity rateMonthly estimateYearly estimateMore detail
Philadelphia21.76 ¢/kWh$3.92$46.99City electricity context
Pittsburgh21.13 ¢/kWh$3.80$45.64City electricity context
Allentown20.92 ¢/kWh$3.77$45.19City electricity context

City electricity pages focus on local rate context. The table above uses the statewide average rate.

Related appliance cost pages for Pennsylvania

State cost and bill pathways for Pennsylvania

Historical and trend pages

Fixed-usage and calculator pathways

Appliance and estimator pathways

State comparison pathways for Pennsylvania

Discovery and navigation hubs

Consumer electricity drivers

Source & Method

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Retail Sales of Electricity. Updated: March 2026. Estimates are energy-only and exclude delivery charges, taxes, and fixed utility fees. For how rates and estimates are defined, see the methodology hub.

Disclaimers

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