Appliance Wattage Chart: 100+ Common Devices (Running & Surge Watts)
Complete wattage charts for home appliances. Find starting, running, and surge watt requirements.
Why You Need an Appliance Wattage Chart
Whether you're trying to calculate your monthly electricity bill, size a solar system, or determine what size generator you need for backup power, knowing the exact wattage of your household appliances is the first critical step. Without this information, you might end up overloading circuits or purchasing undersized equipment.
This comprehensive appliance wattage chart breaks down over 100 common devices. We categorize them by their running watts (continuous power needed) and surge watts (the temporary spike in power required when electric motors start).
Running Watts vs Surge Watts Explained
Before diving into the charts, it is essential to understand the difference between these two ratings:
- Running Watts (Continuous): The amount of power an appliance uses continuously while running in its normal state.
- Starting/Surge Watts: The extra boost of power needed for a few seconds to start electric motors (found in refrigerators, AC units, and pumps). This can be 2 to 3 times the running watts.
Sizing Warning: Always size your generators or inverters based on the highest surge watts of the largest motor you plan to start, plus the running watts of all other connected devices.
Kitchen Appliances Chart
| Appliance | Running Watts | Starting / Surge Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator / Freezer | 600W - 800W | 1,200W - 2,400W |
| Microwave | 800W - 1,200W | N/A |
| Coffee Maker | 800W - 1,400W | N/A |
| Dishwasher | 1,200W - 1,500W | 1,500W - 2,000W |
| Electric Stove (Per Burner) | 1,500W - 2,000W | N/A |
Heating, Cooling & HVAC Chart
| Appliance | Running Watts | Starting / Surge Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Central Air Conditioner (3 Ton) | 3,500W | 10,000W+ |
| Window AC (10,000 BTU) | 1,000W | 3,000W |
| Space Heater | 1,500W | N/A |
| Water Heater (Electric Tank) | 4,000W - 5,000W | N/A |
| Ceiling Fan | 50W - 100W | 100W - 200W |
Entertainment & Electronics Chart
Electronic devices typically do not have surge watts because they lack large inductive motors. Their power draw is fairly constant and often surprisingly low compared to mechanical appliances.
| Appliance | Running Watts |
|---|---|
| LED Television (55") | 60W - 100W |
| Laptop Computer | 50W - 100W |
| Gaming Desktop PC | 300W - 600W |
| Wi-Fi Router | 10W - 20W |
| Smartphone Charger | 5W - 20W |
Worked Example: Adding Up Your Load
If you want to run a Refrigerator (800W running, 2,400W starting), a TV (100W), and a few LED lights (40W total) on a generator:
Total Running Load: 800 + 100 + 40 = 940 Watts.
Maximum Surge Required: The fridge motor starting adds 1,600W (2400-800). Total peak load = 2,540 Watts. You need a generator rated for at least 2,600 surge watts.