Microwave Energy Usage
Microwave energy usage calculator
Energy usage based on the average Microwave wattage of 1000.
Microwave Energy Usage Calculator
This calculator uses the average watt rating (100 Watts) for a Microwave. You can input your Microwave’s details to calculate the exact usage and cost of your device.
Hours used per day
Enter how many hours per day you estimate you run your Microwave. If it is less than one hour use a decimal. For example, 30 minutes would be .5 and 15 minutes would be .25.
Power used (Watts)
Input the wattage of your Microwave. If you are unsure enter the average wattage for a Microwave: 1000.
Your energy rate
Enter the price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) you pay for electricity. If you are unsure you can use the average rate per kWh in the US (10 cents) or find the kWh rate in your area here.
Modern home kitchens have been completely transformed by the microwave oven, an everyday household gadget. It uses specialized radiation to cook food by swiftly heating food from the inside.
Microwaves make it easy to quickly heat items, like butter or water. Microwaves cook food from the inside rather than the outside, unlike conventional ovens. Although it was first employed in commercial kitchens, homes, and offices are where it is most frequently seen today.
Different Types of Microwave Ovens
The first microwave oven on the market was the countertop model. Since then, cabinet-mounted microwave ovens and over-the-range (OTR) microwaves have also made their way onto the market.
OTR and cabinet-mounted microwave ovens free up counter space, but they are more expensive, stationary, and may require professional installation. With the help of heating components, fans, and external heat, convection microwave ovens cook food both internally and externally.
The most popular models are built-in, over-the-range, countertop, under-counter, wall oven and microwave combos, and convection microwaves.
Pros of Using a Microwave Oven
The convenience of microwaves is the main reason people buy them. What other appliance allows you to heat or cook your meals with a button quickly? Microwaves efficiently and more promptly cook food than traditional ovens. Who doesn't relish eating leftovers immediately?
Also, microwaves allow you to eat better fare if you're a health-conscious person. Instead of boiling your vegetables, steam them to preserve their nutritional value.
Furthermore, microwaves make cooking really simple.
Most models have preset times and power levels for common food items. For example, if you’re making popcorn, you can simply hit the popcorn mode. Your microwave change switch to the perfect settings for popcorn. The same is true for reheating or defrosting meats etc.
For cooking and reheating, microwave ovens are quicker than conventional ovens.
Because they don't utilize gas, charcoal, or oil, microwave ovens have a smaller carbon footprint than other cooking appliances. Foods, particularly proteins, do not brown in microwave ovens.
Cons of Using a Microwave Oven
You need to be cautious and aware of what you put in a microwave. Unsafe for the microwave, a dish's contents will become unusable due to a chemical reaction between the food and plastic.
A microwave cannot be used to cook anything. For instance, frying chips won't be an option.
Some food items don’t reheat well in the microwave. For example, if you reheat pizza in the microwave it will often become soggy. No one wants soggy pizza.
Microwave Wattage
Wattages for microwaves range from 600 to 2100, with 1000W being the most popular. A microwave consumes more watts than what is indicated on the label. Between 841.6W and 2945.8W are used by microwaves, with 1402.7W being the most popular value.
Microwave Input vs. Wattage Output
The wattage used by the equipment is known as the microwave input wattage. In other words, it refers to the appliance's actual power usage. The quantity of microwave energy available for heating is known as microwave output watts. Cooking wattage is another name for the wattage of a microwave.
The measurement that is most frequently used is microwave output watts. The most popular microwave wattage, as already mentioned, is 1000W. (i.e. output wattage).
However, a 1000W microwave's average input wattage—or actual power consumption— is 1402.7W. The input wattage of a microwave is always more significant than the output wattage.
Qualities of an energy-efficient microwave
There is no EPA EnergyStar certification or guidelines for microwave ovens, in contrast to other household equipment like refrigerators.
Microwaves are generally more energy-efficient than conventional cooking methods.
Because food is cooked quickly and without water, it may also retain more nutrients. Microwave power ranges from 700 to 1200 watts. A full-size device (often 900 to 1000 watts) makes sense if you intend to cook dinners or reheat casseroles.
Additionally, some devices have an Eco Mode feature that turns off the display panel while not in use.
