How many watts does a treadmill use? Running costs

Updated: Jan 31, 2025
Created: Mar 22, 2024
7 min

Julia ZaraevaAuthor

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 find out in this article.

Key takeaways

The wattage of a treadmill falls within the range of 500 to 1500 watts.
A year of running a treadmill may cost you about $15.
To save on treadmill electricity use, you may unplug it when idle, dim the display, choose the right treadmill for your needs, use eco-modes, or run it on solar power.

Treadmill power consumption and how to estimate it

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.

Energy expenses for a workout session

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.

Monthly and yearly costs to run a treadmill by state

The consumption cost heavily depends on the cost of electricity, and each state has its own cost per kilowatt hour. Let's see how much it would cost you to run a 700-watt treadmill for half an hour every day four times a week throughout the year.

State	Average Electricity Rate ($/kWh)	Monthly Cost ($)	Year Cost ($)
California	0.30	1.68	20.16
Texas	0.13	0.72	8.64
Florida	0.14	0.78	9.36
New York	0.21	1.17	14.04
Pennsylvania	0.16	0.89	10.68

Volts, amps, watts – what’s the difference?

When trying to understand your energy consumption, you’ll encounter several key terms. Each plays a crucial role in the flow and usage of electricity.

Volts represent the electrical potential difference between two points. It's essentially the "force" or "pressure" that pushes the electrical charge through a circuit. Imagine it as the driving force that compels electricity to move.

Amps measure the rate of electrical current flow. It quantifies how much electrical charge passes a specific point in a circuit within a given timeframe. Think of it as the volume or quantity of electricity flowing.

Watts are the unit of power, representing the rate at which electrical energy is being used or consumed. It's calculated by multiplying the voltage (electrical potential) by the current (flow rate). Essentially, it tells you how much energy an appliance is using at any given moment.

Kilowatt-hours measure the total amount of electrical energy consumed over a period. It represents the energy usage by a 1-kilowatt appliance for one hour. Your electricity bill is based on the number of kilowatt-hours you consume, reflecting your overall energy usage.

In summary, voltage is the driving force behind the flow of electricity. Amperage quantifies the rate of that flow. Watts indicate the rate of energy consumption, and kilowatt-hours measure the total energy used over time, directly impacting your electricity bill.

5 tips to save on treadmill electricity use

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?

Tip #1: Unplug when idle

Tip #2: Dim the display

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.

Tip #3: Choose the right treadmill for your needs

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.

Tip #4: Embrace eco-modes

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.

Tip #5: Run on solar power

Solar energy has been basking in the spotlight for years, and for good reason. This clean and abundant resource offers a multitude of advantages for both homeowners and businesses.

Solar panels can significantly reduce your electric bills. By generating your own clean power, you become less reliant on the grid and the fluctuations in electricity prices. In the long run, this translates to substantial financial savings.