The Problem
An appliance has two price tags: what you pay to take it home and how much it costs for the energy and water it uses everyday. Energy Star qualified appliances use up to 50% less energy and water than standard models. These savings pay-back the higher costs associated with a more expensive but more efficient model in a short period of time.
The electricity used by most appliances is stamped its bottom or back. The wattage listed is the maximum power draw. Since many appliances have a range of settings (for example, the levels on a desktop fan), the actual amount of power consumed depends on the setting used at any one time. Most appliances in the United States use around 120 volts. Larger appliances, such as clothes dryers and electric cooktops, use 240 volts.
Example: A 120 volt appliance run for one hour at a rate of $.17/kWh would cost $7.42. A similar appliance which runs at 240 volts would cost $14.48.
Typical Wattages of Various Appliances
Here are some examples of the range of nameplate wattages for various electrical devices: 
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