Calculate your tool electricity usage and monthly power costs. See how much each tool costs to operate and find ways to reduce your workshop energy bills.
| Tool | Hours/Month | kWh | Monthly Cost |
|---|
Average US household uses ~900 kWh/month
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A typical home workshop uses between 50-200 kWh per month, costing $7-$30 depending on usage frequency and tool selection. Heavy users with dust collection, heating/cooling, and frequent tool use can see 300-500 kWh monthly. This compares to the average US household usage of around 900 kWh per month.
Space heaters and air conditioners typically use the most electricity in a workshop (1,500-5,000W continuously). Among power tools, table saws (1,800W), planers (1,800W), and dust collectors (1,100W running continuously) are the biggest consumers. A table saw running 2 hours per week costs about $2-3 per month.
Key strategies include: upgrading to LED shop lights (saves 50-75%), using a smart power strip to eliminate phantom loads, insulating your shop for heating/cooling efficiency, running the dust collector only when needed with a remote switch, and using a Kill-A-Watt meter to identify energy-hungry tools.
240V tools don't use less electricity than 120V equivalents for the same work - a 2HP motor uses the same wattage regardless of voltage. However, 240V tools run more efficiently, generate less heat, and can handle heavy loads better. The main savings come from longer tool life and fewer startup issues.
Use this formula: (Watts / 1000) x Hours x Rate per kWh = Cost. For example, a 1,800W table saw running 2 hours at $0.15/kWh costs: (1800/1000) x 2 x 0.15 = $0.54. Remember that tools don't run at full power constantly - actual usage is typically 50-70% of rated power during a session.
If your utility offers time-of-use (TOU) rates, running tools during off-peak hours (typically nights and weekends) can save 20-50% on electricity. Check with your utility for their rate schedule. This is especially beneficial for running large loads like dust collectors or air compressors.