How Much Does It Cost to Run a Security Camera in District of Columbia? (May 2026 Rates)
A security camera costs more when wattage is high and when it runs for more hours each day. This calculator uses a typical 6-watt setting with editable runtime, so compare the low, typical, and high rows before deciding what changed your bill. In District of Columbia, the latest EIA residential price in this build is 25.40 cents/kWh for May 2026.
Quick Calculator
Formula: watts x hours x days x price / 1000. Because the EIA price is in cents, the calculator converts cents to dollars.
Typical monthly cost: $1.10
Low, Typical, and High Cost
| Use case | Watts | Daily | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 3 W | $0.02 | $0.55 | $6.68 |
| Typical | 6 W | $0.04 | $1.10 | $13.35 |
| High | 12 W | $0.07 | $2.19 | $26.70 |
What changes the bill?
Runtime matters as much as wattage. A lower-watt device left on all day can cost more than a high-watt device used briefly.
Wattage source: DOE Energy Saver. Price source: EIA Open Data, period 2026-05.
Efficient Alternatives
Use a watt meter or timer before replacing an appliance. It shows actual runtime and standby draw.
More comparisons
Compare Security Camera costs in every state or see all appliance costs for District of Columbia.