Question 1

Where do I find my printer's wattage?

Accepted Answer

Check the manufacturer's spec sheet or product page — it usually lists the power supply's rated wattage. Real average draw during printing is lower than peak, but the rated value is fine for an estimate. Quick presets are provided for resin, standard FDM, and large-format FDM printers.

Question 2

Why are resin printers cheaper to run than FDM?

Accepted Answer

FDM spends most of its power heating the hotend and bed, while resin/LCD printers have no hotend — just UV backlight and electronics, so their draw is several times lower (typically 40-60W vs 150-250W for FDM).

Question 3

Which electricity rate should I enter?

Accepted Answer

Use the current rate from your electricity bill (in your currency per kWh) — commercial/business rates are usually higher than residential, so use your actual rate rather than a regional average for accurate costing.

Question 4

Is electricity a big share of print cost?

Accepted Answer

Usually not — at typical residential rates and print times, electricity is a few percent up to 10-15% of the full cost; filament/resin and operator time dominate. See the main calculator for the full breakdown.

Print Electricity Cost

FAQ