Microwaves are a common household appliance found in most kitchens. They provide a quick and convenient way to heat up or cook food. However, some people worry that using a microwave pulls a lot of electricity, potentially leading to higher energy bills. In this article, we’ll look at how microwaves work, how much electricity they use, and how their energy usage compares to other kitchen appliances. We’ll also provide some tips on how to use your microwave more efficiently.
How do microwaves work?
Microwaves heat food using a form of energy called microwave radiation. This radiation is generated by a component called a magnetron inside the microwave. The microwaves cause water molecules in the food to vibrate rapidly, producing friction that heats the food.
Microwaves only heat the water molecules in food, not the food itself. This allows the food to be heated very quickly. However, it also means that foods low in moisture, like bread, won’t become hot in the microwave. The moisture content of the food affects how well and how quickly it will heat up.
Microwave wattage
The power rating of a microwave is given in watts. Most standard household microwaves range from 600 to 1200 watts. Higher wattage microwaves will heat food faster than lower wattage models. However, the wattage rating doesn’t directly correlate with the microwave’s electricity usage.
How wattage affects electricity usage
Higher wattage microwaves use more electricity only when operating at maximum power. At lower power settings, the electricity usage is the same regardless of wattage. For example, heating a cup of water for 1 minute at 50% power will use the same amount of electricity in a 600W microwave as it would in a 1200W model.
The wattage rating simply indicates the maximum microwave power possible. The actual electricity draw will depend on the power setting used and duration of heating.
How much electricity do microwaves use?
Most microwaves use between 750 and 1100 watts at full power. When calculating electricity usage, the rate of consumption is measured in watt-hours (Wh). This is calculated by multiplying the wattage by the number of hours used.
Here are some estimates for electricity used by a typical 1000 watt microwave:
| Usage Time | Electricity Used |
| 1 minute | 0.02 kWh |
| 5 minutes | 0.1 kWh |
| 15 minutes | 0.25 kWh |
| 30 minutes | 0.5 kWh |
As you can see, even frequent daily use of a microwave may only add a few kilowatt-hours to your monthly energy usage. To put this in context, here is how microwave electricity consumption compares to other kitchen appliances:
| Appliance | Average Electricity Used |
| Microwave (15 min daily) | 7.5 kWh/month |
| Refrigerator | 100 kWh/month |
| Electric oven | 75 kWh/month |
| Dishwasher | 15 kWh/month |
As you can see, a microwave uses far less electricity than major appliances like refrigerators and electric ovens. Microwaves are one of the most energy efficient cooking methods.
Factors affecting microwave electricity use
There are a few factors that can influence how much electricity your particular microwave uses:
1. Age of the microwave
Like most appliances, microwaves become less energy efficient as they age. Older microwaves use more electricity to produce the same amount of microwave energy. Replacing an aging microwave with a newer ENERGY STAR certified model can help reduce electricity consumption.
2. Power settings
Using lower microwave power settings for longer cook times uses less electricity than high power for short bursts. The lower the power percent, the more electricity is saved.
3. Size
Larger capacity microwaves tend to have higher wattage ratings, so they use more electricity at maximum power. However, for short cooking tasks, the size won’t significantly affect electricity use.
4. Standby power
Microwaves draw a small amount of power when in standby mode to run the clock, internal lights, and displays. This ranges from 2-10 watts. Turning off the microwave at the wall when not in use eliminates standby power consumption.
Tips for using your microwave efficiently
Here are some tips to use your microwave in an electricity efficient way:
Use appropriate cook times
Don’t overcook food. This wastes electricity and can make food dry or rubbery. Consult cook times and adjust as needed.
Use the right power level
Use lower power levels for defrosting or gentle heating rather than defaulting to 100% power every time.
Use the microwave when possible
Microwaves use far less energy than conventional ovens. Take advantage for small meals or whenever possible.
Keep it clean
Food splatter can make the microwave work harder to produce energy. Keep the interior clean.
Don’t preheat empty
Don’t run the microwave empty or preheatlonger than needed. This wastes electricity.
Reduce standby power
Unplug the microwave or switch off at the wall when not in use for long periods. This eliminates standby power draw.
Replace old microwaves
If your microwave is more than 10 years old, replacing it with an ENERGY STAR model can significantly reduce electricity use.
Conclusion
Microwaves use far less electricity than many people assume. In fact, they are one of the most energy efficient cooking appliances available. An average microwave may add as little as 7-15 kWh to monthly electricity usage with typical daily use.
There are also ways to reduce microwave electricity consumption through proper use and maintenance. Factors like lower power settings, reduced standby power draw, and replacing aging units can help microwaves operate even more efficiently.
So next time you’re hesitating to microwave that leftovers plate, don’t worry about wasting electricity. Microwaves offer a very electricity-friendly cooking method.