How Much Power Do Your Appliances Use?

These figures serve as rough estimates, and the actual power consumption of your appliances may differ significantly. To obtain precise measurements, check the power tags or use tools such as a clamp-on ammeter or a home energy monitor like a Kill-A-Watt meter. These meters are commonly available at hardware stores or online. Multiply the average daily usage hours by the wattage provided below to calculate the watt-hours consumed per day.

Keep in mind that certain items, like garage door openers, may only be in use for a fraction of an hour or minute each day. For example, a 300-watt item used for 5 minutes daily will consume only 25 watt-hours per day. In cases where a range of numbers is provided, the lower figure often indicates a newer and more efficient model. The notation "NA" denotes appliances typically powered by non-electric sources in a photovoltaic (PV) powered home.

If you're considering generating your own power, it's highly recommended to invest in a true RMS digital multimeter, a clamp-on ammeter, or a Kill-A-Watt meter. These tools are invaluable for understanding energy usage patterns, whether you're producing power or not.

 

Appliance
Watts
Appliance
Watts
Appliance
Watts
Kitchen
Living Room
Tools
Blender
500
Bluray Player
15
Band Saw – 14″
1100
Can Opener
150
Cable Box
35
Belt Sander – 3″
1000
Coffee Machine
1000
DVD Player
15
Chain Saw – 12″
1100
Dishwasher
1200-1500
TV – LCD
150
Circular Saw – 7-1/4″
900
Espresso Machine
800
TV – Plasma
200
Circular Saw 8-1/4″
1400
Freezer – Upright – 15 cu. ft.
1240 Wh/Day**
Satellite Dish
25
Disc Sander – 9″
1200
Freezer – Chest – 15 cu. ft.
1080 Wh/Day**
Stereo Receiver
450
Drill – 1/4″
250
Fridge – 20 cu. ft. (AC)
1411 Wh/day**
Video Game Console
150
Drill – 1/2″
750
Fridge -16 cu. ft. (AC)
1200 Wh/day**
Lights
Drill – 1″
1000
Garbage Disposal
450
CFL Bulb – 40 Watt Equivalent
11
Hedge Trimmer
450
Kettle – Electric
1200
CFL Bulb – 60 Watt Equivalent
18
Weed Eater
500
Microwave
1000
CFL Bulb – 75 Watt Equivalent
20
Misc.
Oven – Electric
1200
CFL Bulb – 100 Watt Equivalent
30
Clock Radio
7
Toaster
850
Compact Fluorescent 20 Watt
22
Curling Iron
150
Toaster Oven
1200
Compact Fluorescent 25 Watt
28
Dehumidifier
280
Stand Mixer
300
Halogen – 40 Watt
40
Electric Shaver
15
Heating/Cooling
Incandescent 50 Watt
50
Electric Blanket
200
Box Fan
200
Incandescent 100 Watt
100
Hair Dryer
1500
Ceiling Fan
120
LED Bulb – 40 Watt Equivalent
10
Humidifier
200
Central Air Conditioner – 24,000 BTU NA
3800
LED Bulb – 60 Watt Equivalent
13
Radiotelephone – Receive
5
Central Air Conditioner – 10,000 BTU NA
3250
LED Bulb – 75 watt equivalent
18
Radiotelephone – Transmit
75
Furnace Fan Blower
800
LED Bulb – 100 Watt Equivalent
23
Sewing Machine
100
Space Heater NA
1500
Office
Vacuum
1000
Tankless Water Heater – Electric
18000
Desktop Computer (Standard)
200
Note: TVs, Computers, and other devices left plugged in but not turned on still draw power.

 

**To estimate the number of hours that a refrigerator actually operates at its maximum wattage, divide the total time the refrigerator is plugged in by three. Refrigerators, although turned “on” all the time, actually cycle on and off as needed to maintain interior temperatures.

Water Heater – Electric 4500 Desktop Computer (Gaming) 500
Window Air Conditioner 10,000 BTU NA 900 Laptop 100
Window Air Conditioner 12,000 BTU NA
3250
LCD Monitor
100
Well Pump – 1/3 1HP
750
Modem
7
Laundry
Paper Shredder
150
Clothes Dryer – Electric
3000
Printer
100
Clothes Dryer – Gas
1800
Router
7
Clothes Washer
800
Smart Phone – Recharge
6
Iron
1200
Tablet – Recharge
8