How much does a vacuum cleaner cost to run?
A vacuum cleaner typically draws around 900 W while running. Ratings vary widely between models, so check the label and change the figure below.
per kWh
W
g CO2 per kWh
Cost per year
48.39
- Cost per month
- 4.03
- Cost per day
- 0.13
- Cost per hour of use
- 0.25
- Energy per year
- 172.8 kWh
- Energy per day
- 0.4735 kWh
- Carbon dioxide per year
- 43.2
- Annual cost of standby alone
- 2.40
Show the working
- Power = 900
- Hours per day = 0.5
- Days per year in use = 365
- Electricity price = 0.28
- Standby power = 1
- Grid carbon intensity = 250
- kw = 900 / 1000 = 0.9
- daily_kwh = 0.9 * 0.5 = 0.45
- standby_kwh = 1 / 1000 * (24 - 0.5) = 0.0235
- Energy per day = 0.45 + 0.0235 = 0.4735
- Energy per year = 0.4735 * 365 = 172.828
- Cost per day = 0.4735 * 0.28 = 0.132 58
- Cost per year = 172.828 * 0.28 = 48.3917
- Cost per month = 48.3917 / 12 = 4.032 64
- Cost per hour of use = 0.9 * 0.28 = 0.252
- Carbon dioxide per year = 172.828 * 250 / 1000 = 43.2069
- Annual cost of standby alone = 0.0235 * 365 * 0.28 = 2.4017
Values are shown to six significant figures here; the arithmetic itself runs on exact fractions and is only rounded where a number is printed.
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The formula
- daily energy = power in kW x hours
- annual cost = daily energy x days x price per kWh
Nameplate wattage is the maximum draw, not the average. A cycling appliance like a fridge or a freezer averages far less.
Standby draw is small per device and adds up across a house: ten devices at 2 W each is 175 kWh a year.
Running cost of a vacuum cleaner at different tariffs
| Price per kWh | Per hour | Per year at 0.5 h/day |
|---|---|---|
| 0.10 | 0.0900 | 16.43 |
| 0.15 | 0.1350 | 24.64 |
| 0.20 | 0.1800 | 32.85 |
| 0.25 | 0.2250 | 41.06 |
| 0.30 | 0.2700 | 49.27 |
| 0.40 | 0.3600 | 65.70 |
Frequently asked
How many watts does a vacuum cleaner use?
Typically around 900 W while running, though models vary. Check the rating plate.
How much electricity does it use per day?
About 0.45 kWh at 0.5 hours of use.
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