By understanding how much power common household or farm devices use, you can make small changes that may help lower your demand. One of the easiest ways to save is by spreading out your use of high-impact appliances throughout the day.
How much electricity do common household items “demand”?
This list displays some typical, common kilowatt (kW) values of household devices. Remember to check your exact brand and model of appliance or device for exact kW information.
TIP: 1,000 watts = 1 kilowatt.
High Demand Impact
3 KW AND ABOVE
These appliances can significantly increase your individual peak demand, especially if more than one operates at the same time.
- Electric furnace: 10–20 kW
- Electric boiler: 9-15 kW
- Electric clothes dryer: 3–5 kW
- Electric water heater (tank): 3–5 kW
- Electric oven: 2–5 kW
- Central air conditioner: 2–5 kW
- Cold climate heat pump: 2.5-7 kW
- Level 2 EV charger: 6–11 kW
- Air compressor: 5.75 kW (1kW/HP)
- Welder: 9-12 kW
- 7.5 HP Grain Bin Fan Motor: 7.5 kW
- 10 HP Grain Bin Fan Motor: 10 kW
- On-demand (tankless) water heater: 20
TIP: Avoid running multiple highload items simultaneously to keep peak demand lower.
Medium Demand Impact
0.5 KW TO 3 KW
These appliances use a moderate amount of power. While this equipment individually places a lower demand on the system than those listed in the first column, SVE still advises members to spread their electric use and avoid stacking.
- Microwave: 0.6–1.5 kW
- Dishwasher: 1–2 kW
- Space heater: 1–1.5 kW
- Clothes washer: 0.3–0.8 kW
- Electric range burners: 1–3 kW each
- Vacuum cleaner: 0.6–1.2 kW
- Toaster: 0.8–1.5 kW
- Coffee maker: 0.8–1.2 kW
- Induction cooktop (single burner): 1–1.8 kW
- Well pump: 0.5–2 kW running
- Window AC unit: 0.5–1.5 kW
- Heat Tape (100 feet): 1 kW
- LED security light: 0.07 kW
- Block heater: 1.5 kW
- Cattle waterer: 1 kW
- Hair dryer: 1.5 kW
- Air fryer: 1.5 kW
TIP: Running several medium-load devices at once can mimic the impact of a single high-load appliance.
Low Demand Impact
UNDER 0.5 KW
These contribute very little to your peak demand and generally have minimal impact unless you run many of these appliances all at once.
- Refrigerator: 0.1–0.2 kW
- Freezer: 0.1–0.2 kW
- TV: 0.05–0.2 kW
- Desktop/laptop computer: 0.05–0.25 kW
- Wi-Fi router: 0.01–0.02 kW
- LED lights: 0.005–0.015 kW each
- Phone chargers and small electronics: below 0.02 kW
TIP: Simple changes like shutting off lights and unplugging unnecessary electric devices can reduce your individual peak demand.