Electricity doesn’t always cost the same because utility companies have begun charging electricity rates based on the time of use.
Think of it as peak hour rates on ride hailing services, where the cost is higher when the demand is high. It is based on the simple demand and supply rule of economics.
But believe it or not, you can save up on your electricity bills by using appliances at specific times.
Home appliances, especially those that require a higher wattage, if used during those peak times can rack up your electricity bills.
Average Amps And Watts For Home Appliances
One of the appliances that take up the most wattage is an iron, whose average amp is around 13 and the watts required are 3000.
This is double the watts a microwave uses on an average. Also, a dishwasher uses around 10 amps while a vacuum cleaner pulls an average of 9 amps.
Here is a more detailed overview of the average amps and watts used up by home appliances:
Average Amps And Watts For Refrigerators
The refrigerator is a home appliance that is a must in every household. I personally prefer choosing a home appliance based on its power consumption and its compactness.
In refrigerators, the energy star rating has become an industry standard. So, in the past years no matter what the appliance I bought, I always considered its energy star rating to be sure that they meet the standards and I can reduce my footprint.
| Refrigerator Brand | Capacity | Volts | Amps Used | Watts Used |
| Kenmore Top-Freezer Refrigerator | 21 cubic ft. | 115 volts | 1.5 amps | 172.5 watts |
| Kenmore 36″ Side-by-Side Refrigerator and Freezer | 25 cubic ft. | 120 volts | 2.5 amps | 300 watts |
| Winia WTE21GSSLD Top Mount Refrigerator | 21 cubic ft. | 115 volts | 2 amps | 230 watts |
| Daewoo RTE18GSBCD Top Mount Refrigerator | 18 cubic ft. | 115 volts | 1.5 amps | 172.5 watts |
| Black and Decker RCA RFR741 Apartment Size-Top Freezer-2 Door Fridge | 7.5 cubic ft. | 70 volts | 1.5 amps | 105 watts |
| Midea MRC04M3AWW, Mini Freezer | 3.5 cubic ft. | 65 volts | 1.5 amps | 97.5 watts |
| Whynter CUF-110B Energy Star Upright Freezer | 1.1 cubic ft. | 115 volts | 1.1 amps | 79 watts |
| Whynter Black CUF-301BK Energy Star Upright Freezer | 3.0 cubic ft. | 115 volts | 1.1 amps | 100 watts |
| FRIGIDAIRE EFR756-RED EFR756, 2 Door Retro Refrigerator | 7.5 cubic ft. | 110 volts | 1.5 amps | 200 watts |
| KoolMore 3 Door Stainless Steel Back Bar Cooler | 11.3 cubic ft. | 115 volts | 1.3 amps | 150 watts |
The above table lists different refrigerator models with different cubic ft. capacities.
The average amps used by a refrigerator is 1.5 amps and the average wattage used by a refrigerator is 200 watts.
This also depends on the size of the refrigerator and whether or not the compressor of the fridge and freezer are separate.
Also, when the fridge is cold, it will use more amps. It is called the inrush amperage and it is the reason why a refrigerator or any appliance for the matter is connected to a 15-20 amp outlet.
Average Amps And Watts For TVs
For TVs there are a plethora of brands available, but the most responsible brands have become a preference for me in the past years because of their ethical manufacturing standards as well as low electricity consumption.
| TV Brand and Model | Size | Volts | Amps Used | Watts Used |
| SAMSUNG Class FRAME QLED LS03 Series | 32-inch | 110-120 volts | 0.5 amps | 42-55 watts |
| SAMSUNG Class FRAME QLED LS03 Series | 85-inch | 110-120 volts | 1.2 amps | 120-290 watts |
| SAMSUNG Class QN900B Samsung Neo QLED 8K Smart TV | 65-inch | 110-120 volts | 1.0 amps | 198-370 watts |
| SAMSUNG Class QN900B Samsung Neo QLED 8K Smart TV | 85-inch | 110-120 volts | 1.2 amps | 231-475 watts |
| SAMSUNG Class S95B OLED 4K Smart TV | 55-inch | 110-120 volts | 0.7 amps | 100-300 watts |
| SAMSUNG Class S95B OLED 4K Smart TV | 65-inch | 110-120 volts | 1.0 amps | 117-350 watts |
| LG NanoCell 90 Series 2021 86 inch 4K | 85.5-inch | 100-240 volts | 1.2 amps | 198.2 watts |
| LG B1 Class 4K Smart OLED TV | 65-inch | 120 volts | 1.0 amps | 120 watts |
| LG Class QNED85 UQA series MiniLED 4K UHD | 55-inch | 120 volts | 1.0 amps | 86.5 watts |
| LG Class UQ7570 PUJ series LED 4K UHD | 55-inch | 120 volts | 0.8 amps | 119 watts |
The above table lists different TV models with different technologies (QLED, OLED, UHD) and the amps and watts used.
The average amps used by American TVs 1.0 amps and the average wattage used by TVs is between 120-300 watts.
The variation in the average wattage consumed by the TVs depends on the technology of the TV. For example, QLED TVs consume more power compared to UHD TVs.
Also, the wattage consumption varies based on the size of the TV screen. The larger the screen, the higher the wattage it requires.
The Samsung TVs list a wattage range depending on the features being used.
If the USB port or HDMI port of the TV is being used, the consumption of power will be on the higher end.
Also, the standby electricity consumption of any TV is lower than 0.5 watts.
Average Amps And Watts For Microwaves
| Brand and Model | Size | Volts | Amps Used | Watts Used |
| TOSHIBA ML2-EM12EA(BS) Countertop Microwave Oven | 1.2 cubic ft. | 110 volts | 10 amps | 1100 – 1550 watts |
| Galanz GLCMKA07RDR-07 Microwave Oven | 0.7 cubic ft. | 120 volts | 6 amps | 700 watts |
| BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven | 0.9 cubic ft. | 120 volts | 7.5 amps | 900 watts |
| BLACK+DECKER EM036AB14 Digital Microwave Oven | 1.4 cubic ft. | 120 volts | 8.3 amps | 1000 watts |
| Farberware Compact Countertop Microwave Oven | 0.7 cubic ft. | 110-115 volts | 6.36 amps | 700 watts |
| GE 3-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven | 1.0 cubic ft. | 120 volts | 8.75 amps | 1050 watts |
| Commercial Chef CHM770B Countertop Microwave | 0.7 cubic ft. | 110 volts | 6.36 amps | 700 watts |
| Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 Microwave Oven | 1.2 cubic ft. | 120 volts | 8.3 amps | 1000 watts |
| Samsung MS14K6000AS/AA MS14K6000 | 1.4 cubic ft. | 120 volts | 8.3 amps | 1000 watts |
| COMFEE’ CM-M091AGN Retro Microwave | 0.9 cubic ft. | 115 volts | 7.8 amps | 900 watts |
Microwaves are one of the heavier appliances in the household. Compared to the refrigerator which averages at 300 watts, the microwave averages at 700 watts.
The power consumption of the microwave depends on its size.
The higher the cubic ft. space of the microwave, the higher wattage it will consume.
However, when the cubic feet go higher than 1 cubic ft., the watts consumed remains constant at 1000 watts.
Average Amps And Watts For Dryers
| Brand and Model | Capacity | Volts | Amps Used | Watts Used |
| World Dryer L-970 SLIMdri | N/A | 110-240 volts | 4.6 amps | 1100 watts |
| Kenmore Front Load Electric Dryer | 7.0 cubic ft. | 240 volts | 5 amps | 1200 watts |
| Equator Compact Short Dryer | 3.5 cubic ft. | 120 volts | 12.5 amps | 1500 watts |
| BLACK+DECKER BCED37 Portable Dryer | 3.5 cubic ft. | 120 volts | 11.67 amps | 1400 watts |
| Panda Portable Compact Electric Cloth Dryer | 3.5 cubic ft. | 110-120 volts | 10.83 amps | 1300 watts |
| Frigidaire FFRE4120SW Electric Dryer | 6.7 cubic ft. | 220 volts | 5.45 amps | 1200 watts |
| Panda 3200 rpm Portable Spin Dryer | 22 pounds | 110 volts | 9.09 amps | 1000 watts |
| Equator Compact Digital Dryer | 2.6 cubic ft. | 120 volts | 11.67 amps | 1400 watts |
| RCA RDR323 Electric Compact Portable Laundry Dryer | 13 pounds | 110 volts | 13.63 amps | 1500 watts |
| BLACK+DECKER BCED26 | 2.65 cubic ft. | 120 volts | 11.67 amps | 1400 watts |
The average power consumed by dryers in America is 9.611 amps and 1300 watts.
Dryers are one of the appliances that consume high power, and the wattage does not vary greatly because of the capacity difference.
Average Amps And Watts For Dishwashers
| Brands and Models | Volts | Amps Used | Watts Used |
| COMFEE’ Countertop Dishwasher, Portable Dishwasher | 120 volts | 7.91 amps | 950 watts |
| Countertop Dishwasher, IAGREEA | 110 volts | 9.5 amps | 950 watts |
| AIRMSEN AE-TDQR03 Portable Countertop Dishwasher | 120 volts | 7.91 amps | 950 watts |
| Hermitlux Countertop Dishwasher | 220 volts | 4.3 amps | 950 watts |
| Countertop Dishwasher, GASLAND Chef DW102WN | 120 volts | 6.54 | 785 watts |
| Portable Countertop Dishwashers, NOVETE | 120 volts | 7.91 amps | 950 watts |
| ecozy Portable Countertop Dishwasher | 120 volts | 7.91 amps | 950 watts |
| Karlxtom Portable Countertop Dishwasher | 120 volts | 7.91 amps | 950 watts |
| VENTRAY Countertop Portable Dishwasher Mini | 120 volts | 7.91 amps | 950 watts |
| Compact Countertop Dishwasher, GASLAND Chef DW106B | 120 volts | 7.25 amps | 870 watts |
The table above shows a range of dishwashers and there is little variance in the power consumption.
Except for the dishwashers that need 220 volts power supply, the rest have almost similar ampere usage and wattage as well. It averages at 950 watts and 7.2 amps.
Difference Between Watts And Amps
The amps multiplied by the volts needed for operation yields the wattage power consumption.
Some appliances can run on a 120 volt outlet while the heavier appliances require a 220 volts power supply.
Conclusion to Average Watts and Amps for Home Appliances
The detailed comparison of the power consumption of different appliances shows that some appliances need more power to run, therefore, they have a higher impact on the electric bills.
Amongst the appliances discussed, dryers are the appliances that use the most power.
So, if you are on a budget cut, try reducing your dryer usage and wring out the clothes before letting them dry in the sun.
Even though it might take longer for the clothes to dry, it will reduce the electricity consumption at your place.
