Household electrical loads are generally modest. The 220-240 volt systems are generally restricted to appliances and air conditioning. Heat pumps and AC units will consume nearly 70% of the homes summer power consumption. All electric homes suffer the most as hot water and all other appliances are electrical. Most home 240-volt circuits are around 30 amps for AC and kitchen appliances. The AC, hot water heater, electrical clothes dryer and kitchen stoves and ovens comprise the most usage. 30-amp circuits require a minimum of 10-gauge copper wire or 8-gauge aluminum. Runs over 100 feet probably should move up one with 8-gauge copper or 6 gauge aluminum wire.
Air Conditioner Electricity Consumption Calculator
Air conditioning is manufacturer rated by SEER, Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, which is little more than a marketing gimmick used by AC manufacturers as the rating is done at 820 F, but drops off rapidly at higher real-world temperatures around 95-100 degrees Fahrenheit. A 3-ton AC and a SEER rating of 13 will lose about a ton’s worth of capability with a 10 degree rise in temperature. As cooling efficiency drops with outside temperature rise, power consumption goes up and your AC must work harder. The heart of the AC unit is the compressor and is a power hog. There is a trend in improving all electrical devices efficiency, more work with less power. Typical AC power consumption is between 3000 to 5000 watts per hour. That 3.5 kWh for 3500 watts.
How Many Watts Does a Dryer, Refrigerator, Washing Machine & Other Appliances Use?
Appliances are rated in watts. A 4-burner range will burn about 1500 watts per hour at a medium to high setting. The oven will consume about 2400 watts per hour on medium to high heat, and some units will eat up about 5000 watts per hour. Your electric water heater is good for around 4000 watts power consumption every hour of operation, but they don’t run continually. The clothes dryer will gulp down 3000 watts per hour. Electric furnaces will consume your energy at 18,000 watts for 2 hours a day. Some houses have a shop in the garage with a single 30 watt 240 volts outlet. Other than this we have covered most of the 240-volt household appliances including air conditioning.
Standy ‘Vampire’ Power Consumption Chart
Any improvement will save energy. Many new appliances consume less power than older models. However, this is an evolutionary process, not revolutionary as efficiency increments do not come without engineering effort.
The 120-volt circuits are generally run with 12-gauge wire for both lights and outlets. Too bad more homes don’t have switched outlets. One of the biggest drains of power is ‘vampire’ consumption. TV’s, computers, chargers and other electronic wonders use up to a third of the running power for the convenience of remote operation. If these could be turned off over night, when not in use, power consumption would drop.
Electrical Wiring & More in Laguna Woods, Santa Ana, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Irvine, Lake Forest & Orange County, California
Lighting is essential switching to all LED power misers. Less heat and power consumption. All in all every electrical device we take for granted is improving in efficiency. New is indeed better, and greener as in environmentally safer. Don’t take your power for granted, never over load circuits particularly in older homes. Take note of power consumption ratings on the label of every appliance and device and do exceed 20 amps. Remember that the amperage may spike at startup for many devices. Need advice, call a profession electrician for consultation. Peterkin Electric can handle all your electrical needs.