 |
  |
  |
  |
|
 |
|
|
|
Many factors affect how much electricity an appliance uses: where it's located, your home wiring, how many people live in the home, and how the appliance is used.
The electricity you use is determined by measuring the kilowatt hours ("kWh").
One kWh is equal to operating a 100 watt-light bulb for 10 hours.
Typical energy use of some electric appliances
|
Appliance
|
Range of watts used
|
Appliance
|
Range of watts used
|
| Aquarium |
50 - 1210
|
Computer monitor |
150 |
| Clock radio |
10
|
Laptop |
50 |
| Coffee maker |
900 - 1200
|
Stereo |
70 - 400 |
| Clothes washer |
350 - 500
|
TV-19" |
65 - 110 |
| Dishwasher |
1200 - 2400
|
TV--27" |
113 |
| Electric blanket single/double |
60/100
|
TV--36" |
133 |
| Fan--ceiling |
65 - 175
|
TV-projection |
170 |
| Fan--window |
55 - 250
|
TV--flat screen |
120 |
| Fan--furnace |
750
|
Toaster |
800 - 1400 |
| Fan--whole house |
240 - 750
|
Toaster oven |
1225 |
|
Hair dryer |
1200 - 1875
|
VCR/DVD |
17 - 21/20 - 25 |
Heater (portable) |
750 - 1500
|
Vacuum cleaner |
1000 - 1400 |
| Iron |
1000 - 1800
|
Water heater (40 gal) |
4500 - 5500 |
| Microwave oven |
750 - 1100
|
Water bed |
120 - 380 |
| Computer--CPU |
120
|
Precise usage
Calculate more precise usage (consumption in daily kilowatt hours) by using this formula:
Wattage x Hours used per day
1000
Calculating the cost
You can figure the cost of using an appliance each day by multiplying the figure from above times your electric rate. Click here for more information about LPC's residential electric rates.
More information
While some appliances, such as your refrigerator, are turned "on" all the time, they actually cycle on and off at a rate that depends on a number of factors. These factors include insulation, room temperature, maintenance, and usage.
Also, many appliances continue to draw a small amount of power when they are switched off. These "phantom loads" occur in most appliances that use electricity, such as VCR's, televisions, stereos, computers and kitchen appliances. Most phantom load will increase the appliance's energy consumption a few watts per hour. These loads can be avoided by unplugging the appliance or using a power strip and using the switch on the power strip to cut all power to the appliance.