How much does it cost to run a steam mop?
EIA data · June 2026About $1.27 a month at the U.S. average price of 18.34¢ per kilowatt-hour — but that figure moves a long way depending on where you live. Set your state below.
6.9 kWh a month at the U.S. average, 18.34¢/kWh for June 2026. Excludes fixed charges, taxes and time-of-use rates, which vary by utility and are on your bill.
Typical 1,000–1,600 W. Use the figure on your own label if you have it.
70% duty cycle applied — it draws power for part of that time.
A steam mop sits mid-table at #63 of 88, which means something else in the house costs more. See whether home & cleaning or something else drives your bill.
Published figures for this appliance disagree by a wide margin. Why other sites price a steam mop so differently.
How many watts a steam mop uses
Steam mops boil water in a small reservoir and are rated 1,000–1,600 W, close to the ceiling for a 120-volt handheld appliance.
- Low
- 1,000 W
- Typical
- 1,300 W
- High
- 1,600 W
What it costs across the country
Same appliance, same usage, different electricity price. Annual cost at 1,300 W and the default usage above.
| State | ¢/kWh | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 52.72 | $43.78 |
| California | 34.74 | $28.85 |
| Massachusetts | 29.61 | $24.59 |
| New York | 29.49 | $24.49 |
| Ohio | 19.19 | $15.93 |
| Texas | 15.94 | $13.24 |
| Florida | 15.10 | $12.54 |
| Utah | 13.37 | $11.10 |
| Nebraska | 13.25 | $11.00 |
| Nevada | 13.11 | $10.89 |
Worth knowing
- High wattage, short runtime — mopping a floor twice a week costs a few dollars a year.
- The element runs almost continuously while steaming, so the duty cycle is higher than most heating appliances of the same rating.
- Waiting for it to reach temperature and then not using it is where the electricity actually goes.
Other appliances
- Vacuum cleaner
- Robot vacuum
- Hair dryer
- Air purifier
- Space heater
- Central air conditioner
- Window air conditioner
- Electric water heater
Prices are statewide residential averages for June 2026 from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. They exclude fixed monthly charges, taxes and time-of-use rates. See how these figures are calculated.