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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.
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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 an electric water heater's wattage
An electric water heater is rated around 4,000 W, but the real figure shifts with a few things:
- Model and rating: An electric water heater ranges from about 3,000 W on efficient units to 5,500 W on larger or older ones — a spread of ~2,500 W.
- Usage: the real draw depends on the heat setting and run time.
- Run time: because an electric water heater typically runs about 3 h/day, hours of use matter as much as raw wattage on your bill.
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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