How Much Electricity Does A Treadmill Use? Find Out Here?

When shopping for treadmills, most people tend to base their focus on brands and their initial cost only. All the while, there are other factors to consider, such as maintenance and utility bills. One such is the advent of an increased electricity bill brought on by powering on a motorized treadmill. So, how much electricity does a treadmill use?

The answer to that question isn’t so simple. There are a lot of factors that pile on to the cost of electricity with different tax rates filed on top of different countries. However, on average, a normal treadmill will use somewhere between 600-700 Watts. Here’s everything you need to know about your treadmill’s power consumption.

Wattage

Every electrical appliance has a wattage power rating that indicates how much power is consumed while the device is in use. They are usually provided in either Volts(V) and Amps(A), or Watts(W). Treadmills are no different and are typically stamped with a sticker or nameplate on the frame with all these details.

So, how do I calculate my electricity bill?

Power consumed is usually calculated in kilowatt-hours(KWh). However, to get there, you will have to refer to your old Physics textbook.

Suppose your power rating is given in Volts and Amps, simply multiply both to get your value in Watts

For example: V x A = W

Suppose your power rating is given in Watts, then simply proceed to get the Wattage multiplying the Watts with the hours of treadmill usage. Divide the answer by 1000 to get total kilowatt-hours per month.

For example: [W x Hours] /1000 = KWh

Finally, multiply by KWh by the cost of electricity rates for your Power company to get your bill.

Variations in Electricity consumption by a treadmill.

There are instances, however, that your power bill won’t match your calculations despite how accurate your math is. This may be a result of different factors that may affect power consumption.

Model and Brand

Most high-end commercial treadmills tend to consume a lot of power. The reasoning behind their manufacturing is that if you can afford to buy their pricey machines, then you definitely won’t struggle with the utility and maintenance cost. Some known high-end models are the Landice L8 LTD and the Precor TRM 445 Precision Series.

Intensity and Incline

More intense work out sessions are likely to use more power as compared to leisurely training sessions. More vigorous activity demands more output from the machine, which in turn draws more power. Setting up the treadmill to reach the highest incline will result in more power consumption than when no incline is used. Note that decreasing the steepness of the incline past the flat surface simulation also increases power consumption.

Weight

Since the treadmill is motorized, heavier persons are generally harder to move. The motor will, therefore, work twice as much to support the weight of a heavy runner as opposed to that of a lean runner. The work done is proportional to the weight of the person.

Age of the Treadmill

It’s no rocket science that the efficiency of a machine decreases with increase in age. As time goes by, the moving parts of the treadmill will likely wear and tear. As a result, the power consumption will likely increase by up to 30% for older machines. To prevent this, ensure regular maintenance checks of your machine are part and parcel of your training routine. Clean it, dust it, and check on the shoe rubber that builds up between the deck and belt.

Usage, Time duration, and Speed

More time spent with the device plugged on equals more power consumption. Always keep your treadmill unplugged if not in use. This can prevent power surges when fluctuations occur. The treadmill will generally consume more power at its peak speed – when it is taking off. This is usually because of more resistance to movement due to forces of inertia and your body weight combined. Also, higher speeds consume a lot of power as the motor has to get the belt moving fast.

Type and size of the motor

Lastly, the Wattage rating on your device will depend on the type and size of the motor running. Quality motors are power guzzlers and will hike up your electricity bill. Similarly, treadmills that dish out rawer power usually have bigger motors that generate more horsepower. The higher torque usually consumes a lot of energy hence hiking up your electricity bill.

Bottom line

The amount of power that your treadmill consumes is dependent on a variety of factors. Before getting your hands on a motorized treadmill, check on its Wattage rating under the hood. This should give you a rough estimate of how much you will be paying at the end of the month. If it’s too much for you, then consider going for a manual treadmill that doesn’t use any electricity.