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How many watts does a shop vac use? (1,200 W)
A shop vac uses about 1,200 W
Typical range 900–1,600 watts.
Typical range 900–1,600 watts.
Running cost calculator
Per hour—
Per day—
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A shop vacuum uses a powerful motor for strong suction, drawing more than a household vacuum but only in short bursts.
Shop vac power specs
| Typical running power | 1,200 W |
| Typical range | 900–1,600 W |
| Energy use | 0.36 kWh/day · 10.8 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 | $0.04 | $1.08 | $13.14 |
| $0.15/kWh | $0.05 | $1.62 | $19.71 |
| $0.20/kWh | $0.07 | $2.16 | $26.28 |
| $0.25/kWh | $0.09 | $2.70 | $32.85 |
| $0.30/kWh | $0.11 | $3.24 | $39.42 |
| $0.40/kWh | $0.14 | $4.32 | $52.56 |
See the full breakdown of what it costs to run a shop vac, or what size power station runs a shop vac.
FAQ
How many watts does a shop vac use?
Typically 900-1600 watts while running.
Is a shop vac expensive to run?
No - short cleanups cost just a few cents each.
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