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How many watts does an electric water heater use? (4,000 W)
An electric water heater uses about 4,000 W
Typical range 3,000–5,500 watts.
Typical range 3,000–5,500 watts.
Running cost calculator
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A tank electric water heater is one of the largest steady energy users in a home, reheating stored water throughout the day.
Electric water heater power specs
| Typical running power | 4,000 W |
| Typical range | 3,000–5,500 W |
| Energy use | 12.00 kWh/day · 360.0 kWh/mo |
What affects the wattage
- Model size, age and energy rating.
- Settings and how hard it works (heat, speed, load).
- How many hours a day you run it.
Running cost at $0.17/kWh
| Electricity rate | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.10/kWh | $1.20 | $36.00 | $438.00 |
| $0.15/kWh | $1.80 | $54.00 | $657.00 |
| $0.20/kWh | $2.40 | $72.00 | $876.00 |
| $0.25/kWh | $3.00 | $90.00 | $1,095.00 |
| $0.30/kWh | $3.60 | $108.00 | $1,314.00 |
| $0.40/kWh | $4.80 | $144.00 | $1,752.00 |
See the full breakdown of what it costs to run an electric water heater, or what size power station runs an electric water heater.
FAQ
How many watts does an electric water heater use?
Tank models use about 3000-5500 watts while the element is heating.
How can I cut water heating costs?
Lower the thermostat to 120F, insulate the tank and fix hot-water leaks.
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