Unplug

While some appliances must remain plugged in for safety reasons (e.g. refrigerators), here are some examples of nameplate wattages for various household appliances. Which ones can be unplugged when not in use to save you energy?

1100-6000 Watts

• Water heater (40 gallon) = 4500–5500
• Clothes dryer = 1800–5000
• Dishwasher = 1200–2400 (using the drying feature greatly increases energy consumption)
• Vacuum cleaner = 1000–1440
• Toaster = 800–1400
• Toaster oven = 1225
• Aquarium = 50–1210 Watts
• Hair dryer = 1200–1875
• Clothes iron = 1000–1800
• Coffee maker = 900–1200
• Heater (portable) = 750–1500
• Microwave oven = 750–1100
• Water pump (deep well) = 250–1100

500-1000 Watts

• Dehumidifier = 785
• Furnace = 750
• Clothes washer = 350–500
• Refrigerator (frost-free, 16 cubic feet) = 725
• Whole house fan = 240–750

25-500 Watts

• Personal Computer
• CPU - awake / asleep = 120 / 30 or less
• Monitor - awake / asleep = 150 / 30 or less
• Laptop = 50
• Fans
• Ceiling = 65–175
• Window = 55–250
• Color Television
• 19" = 65–110
• 27" = 113
• 36" = 133
• 53"-61" Projection = 170
• Flat screen = 120
• Water Bed (with heater, no cover) = 120-380
• Electric blanket- Single/Double = 60/100
• Radio (stereo) = 70–400

Less than 25 Watts

• Clock radio = 10
• VCR/DVD = 17–21 / 20–25

Source for typical wattages of various appliances
- U.S. Department of Energy