Treadmills offer a convenient way to exercise indoors regardless of the weather. But alongside the health benefits comes the question of energy consumption. How much electricity does a treadmill use? Let’s break it down in this article.
The wattage of a treadmill typically falls within the range of 500 to 1500 watts. The primary factor affecting wattage is motor strength. Higher horsepower motors, designed for intense running workouts, naturally use more watts.
500W-1500W
average treadmill consumption
While not as significant as motor power, the incline and speed settings you use will also affect wattage. Running uphill or at faster speeds requires more power from the motor, translating to higher wattage consumption. Treadmills with fancy LCD consoles or integrated entertainment systems will use more electricity compared to those with basic LED displays.
Treadmill wattage information should be printed in the manual or on the label. It provides just a general idea though and doesn’t tell the whole story. To understand your treadmill’s electricity consumption, you need to consider the usage time.
Monitor how long you typically use the treadmill per session. Multiply the wattage by your average usage time in hours to get the watt-hours used per session. For example, if your treadmill uses 700 watts and you run for 30 minutes, the watt-hours used per session are:
700 W × 0.5 h = 350 Wh
Once you have the Wh per session, multiply it by the number of times you use the treadmill per week, then again by the number of weeks in a year to estimate your annual consumption. Let’s say we train four times a week. In this case, our annual consumption is:
350 Wh × 4 times/week × 52 weeks = 72,800 Wh = 72.8 kWh/year
Finally, factor in your electricity cost per kWh to estimate the yearly cost. At $0.20 per kW, a year of running on a treadmill will cost you about $15.
While treadmill power consumption doesn’t sound like much, in creating an energy efficient home every little bit counts. So how can we lower our running costs?
Don’t let your treadmill become an energy vampire and silently drain energy on standby. Make it a habit to completely unplug the treadmill when you’re finished for the day, especially if you have long breaks between sessions. This small step can significantly reduce standby power consumption.
Most treadmills allow you to adjust the display brightness. Opt for a lower brightness setting during your workout to save energy. Additionally, explore disabling any unnecessary display features you don’t use, such as fancy animations or scrolling news feeds.
If you’re a casual runner, you don’t need a high-powered treadmill with all the bells and whistles. Choose a treadmill with a motor and features that match your weight, fitness level, and workout style. A less powerful motor will consume less electricity.
If your treadmill offers an eco-mode or power-saving setting, use it during your workouts. Some may simply reduce display brightness or limit certain functionalities, while others might adjust motor power based on your running speed or incline. With this, you can significantly reduce your electricity consumption without sacrificing the effectiveness of your workout.
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Years of experience in translation and a love of nature help Julia find the right words to encourage going solar. She joined the team in 2023 and is happy to make her contribution to a greener future.
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