Having a treadmill at home is an ideal means of taking your fitness program to the next level. It brings convenience into your workouts, and you will be able to integrate more exercises into your program.
However, understanding a treadmill’s electricity consumption will help you get the best from it without closing your bank account. Let’s break it down for you so that you will be able to get a clearer picture.
Do Treadmills Use a Lot of Electricity?
There are many variables to consider before getting a theoretical value of a treadmill’s amount of electricity. The majority of treadmills come with a wattage rating, which is dependent on factors like size and type of the motor, and so on.
How Many Watts Does a Treadmill Use?
Averagely, a treadmill makes use of between 600 and 700 watts of energy, which corresponds to switching on 50 compact fluorescent light bulbs for the period of your workout. Vital variables influence wattage usage, and it is important to put them into consideration.
The duration and frequency of your workouts will affect your energy usage. For example, if you work out two hours daily, six days a week, you will consume more energy compared to working out for 30 minutes every day.
The speed at which you run and the duration of the run will influence your watt usage. For example, if you are running at a speed of 6 miles per hour, you will consume more energy than running at 4 miles per hour.
Besides, the weight of the user affects the energy consumption of a treadmill. A user weighing 150 pounds will use up more electricity than another user weighing 80 pounds. This is because the machine requires more effort moving the belt while you are standing on it. Hence, there will be more work for the machine with more weight, which translates to more energy usage.
Use of Treadmill and Consumption
The more you use a treadmill, the more energy it consumes. Its manner of use also affects its energy consumption. For example, if you purchase a 3.0-horsepower machine, and you don’t use it at full capacity frequently, you will be saving more on energy.
Calculations: How much it costs to Run?
Getting a realistic figure may not be possible, but you can get a figure to work with. Multiply the maximum wattage of your treadmill by the number of hours you make use of it in one month. Then, multiply this by the average price per kilowatt-hour.
How to Save Electricity on the Treadmill?
Proper maintaining your treadmill like lubricating, unplugging when not in use etc. might save some electricity. However, you can go for a manual treadmill, which does not require electricity for operations. It does not have a motor, and its belt only moves when you walk or run on it.
FAQ’s
Do you need a special outlet for a treadmill?
The majority of residential treadmills operate on a standard 120-volt outlet. However, if your outlet does not have the power requirements needed to run your machine, you need to get a professional electrician’s service.
Should I unplug my treadmill when not in use?
It is advisable to unplug your treadmill when not using it. This protects the machine as well as the entire household in case of an accident.
Difference between Manual vs Motorized Treadmills
A manual treadmill requires pushing the belt with your feet for onward movement. On the other hand, a motorized treadmill makes it possible for you to set your pace electronically and keep up with it.
Which treadmill is better AC or DC?
AC motors require more power, and are common in commercial treadmills, requiring a dedicated power line, and making too much noise. DC-motor treadmills are ideal for residential workouts because they don’t make too much noise.
Summary
Treadmills don’t use up as much electricity as you may think. Even though they don’t have the same energy consumption rate, your manner of use and the power rating of the machine you purchase will affect energy consumption.