How Many Amps Does a Vacuum Use? The Complete Guide

Vacuum cleaners source Freepik

Vacuum cleaners are among the most commonly used household appliances. Even though they are not always categorized as heavy power consumers, the fact that they are used frequently means that they deserve special attention when it comes to monitoring their energy consumption.

Generally, the working mechanism of vacuum cleaners entails using air pumps to suck dirt and dust from the surface. After they have been sucked, they will be collected at a storage chamber from which they will be disposed of. All these operations need electric energy.

You should also take note that vacuum cleaners come in different sizes, shapes, and designs. Some are quite large while others are small and easily portable. They also have different areas of applications, some are suitable for domestic use while others are perfect for industrial or commercial applications.

The amps that a vacuum cleaner uses will have an impact on your monthly energy bill. Whether you are planning to buy a vacuum or you have already bought one, it is important to know how many amps it uses. Usually, the amps will depend on the model and type of vacuum that you are using. These two are among many other factors that affect the energy consumption of vacuum cleaners. In this article, we are going to discuss how many amps and watts vacuum cleaners use.

How many amps does a vacuum cleaner use?

Back to the main question, what is the exact amperage of my vacuum cleaner? M<post vacuum cleaners use between 4 to 12 amps when they are in perfect running conditions. This range covers most domestic vacuum cleaners regardless of their sizes.

Why should one vacuum cleaner use 3 amps while another one uses 12 amps yet they are doing the same job? Well, the amperage of the vacuum depends on several factors which directly affect the performance and operation of a vacuum cleaner. These factors include motor size, power rating, flooring material, and even the suction level of the vacuum cleaner.

You should be concerned if the operational range of your vacuum cleaner is outside the 3-12 amps range. Otherwise, manufacturers of these appliances build these systems while keeping the operational parameters in mind. For example, they know the amps that each motor of a vacuum cleaner can handle and how it will affect the overall operation of the appliance. You should also confirm the amperage with other technical parameters as indicated in the datasheet.

Vacuum cleaner wattage

How many watts does my vacuum cleaner use?  One of the key factors that determine the amps a vacuum cleaner uses is the wattage. Each vacuum cleaner that you buy comes with a watt rating, which is the electrical power of the vacuum. The rating usually ranges between 400 watts to 3000 watts. However, most domestic vacuum cleaners have a watt rating of 1400 watts which translates to 1.4 kilowatt-hours per hour (kWh). It is this usage that will determine the exact figures that your vacuum cleaner uses in each hour.

How much will I pay for running a vacuum cleaner?

It is easy to calculate the amount of money that you will spend based on the vacuum cleaner’s wattage per hour. If your 1400-watt vacuum cleaner is using 1.5Kwh, it will use around 2.8kWh if it runs for two hours.  Take the 2.8 and multiply by local utility charges.

Just by looking at the figures above, it is easy to tell that you will spend more when using a vacuum cleaner that is rated 3000 watts as it will consume more amps. In short, the higher the wattage, the more the running cost of using the vacuum cleaner.

We cannot ignore the impact of the running frequency on the amperage of the vacuum cleaner. From our simple calculations, it is clear that letting your vacuum cleaner run for a long will translate to higher electrical bills.

So, do you want to lower the cost of using vacuum cleaners? You have to consider two things: The power rating of the device and the usage. Of course, you have to strike a balance between power and performance when it comes to power rating. It does not make any sense to use a low-power device for commercial applications.

Do vacuums use a lot  of electricity?

There is usually a notion that vacuum cleaners are heavy consumers of electricity. Is this true? From our brief analyses, it is not entirely true that vacuums use a lot of electricity. These appliances are just average electric energy consumers like most household appliances.

The motor size is a key determinant of the electric consumption of the vacuum cleaners. The larger the motor size the more the electric energy a cleaner consumes. The motor size ranges between 400 watts to 3000 watts. If you want low energy consumption, you will go for a vacuum cleaner with a small motor size.

For the purpose of balancing power usage and performance, it is advisable to go for a vacuum cleaner that is rated at 1400 watts. While it is capable of delivering excellent performance, it is not a heavy consumer of electric energy.

Other than the motor size, there are other factors that can determine the energy consumption rate of your vacuum cleaner. A blocked filter bag will force the vacuum cleaner to use more amps. Electrical and even mechanical damage to any other vacuum cleaner component is likely to interfere with its function. The end result will be a higher amperage of the vacuum cleaner.

How do I reduce the energy consumption of my vacuum cleaner?

Let’s say you have already bought a vacuum cleaner and it is consuming too much energy. The fastest way of lowering its consumption is by working on the factors that are making its consumption to be high.

Is the dust filter dirty? You should proceed to clean it and if it is damaged, consider replacing it. Ensure that the motor is clean and in perfect working condition.

Otherwise, a residential vacuum cleaner should use between 4 to 12 amps. In case of any help when it comes to buying electronic components for vacuum cleaners, consider consulting industry experts.

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